Friday, June 19, 2009
Tomorrow's Blogger Day at Nationals Park
The team is very graciously having bloggers to the stadium tomorrow and allowing us some time to chat with Stan, Manny, and Rizz. If you have any questions you want me to ask put them in the comments (but I'm not gonna be inappropriate, so hold the "Manny, why are you an idiot?" type questions).
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12 comments:
Steven-
My biggest question for the FO is why they are not doing more of this kind of thing, i.e. interaction with the fanbase.
For example, it seems like Stan Kasten used to be all about gladhanding and responding to inquiries and generally being a "man of the people" ... until the poop hit the fan this season. Stan used to answer season ticketholder emails personally, for example. I don't think he's doing a lot of that this year.
If anything, this season is MORE reason for them to be open and accessible to the fanbase, not to retreat into a shell and refuse to talk to anyone. We know they're not happy with the way things are going, but we want to hear what they're planning to do to change things. A few Kasten, Rizzo and especially Lerner interviews, where they provide real answers instead of cliches, would do wonders for them in my opinion. We are their customers, their clients- they shouldn't be this reclusive and secretive in their dealings with us.
That's what I'd ask about, given the opportunity.
For Stan: Is there any update on the GM search? I don't expect Stan to drop names, but what kind of progress are they making? Are they going to hire somebody before the season is over, or wait for the offseason? How long is their list of candidates at this point?
Also for Stan: How does he think the team is doing following "the plan?" What can Nats fans expect in the next couple years of "the plan?" I don't mean this sarcastically, I'm really curious since it's always been a buzz word, but I hear very few specifics about goals to acheive "the plan."
For Rizzo: What are we asking for in a trade involving Nick Johnson? Again, I don't expect specifics, but what are the parameters we hope to get in return (pitching prospects? veteran bench bat? taking Austin Kearns and Dimitry Young off our books instead of getting anything tangible in return?) Are we even considering bringing him back since (*knock, knock* on my faux-wood desk) he's stayed healthy this year and hit well?
Is it possible to lower stadium prices on concessions (beer specifically) to reward the season tickets holders who have been paying major league prices for a minor league product. Cheap beer will help me forget the wild pitches, collisions with bullpen catchers, senseless errors, bonehead lineup changes, Jim Bowden, and Austin Kearns.
Another vote for a question about reducing beer prices. If they don't want to cut profits, charge me $5 for a 24 ounce of Steel Reserve or Hurricane.
Please ask Stan to give himself a grade on season ticket services.
How does he feel about the level of service the organization provides to it's most loyal customers? Does he think the improvements this year are "enough"? Can he describe how he thinks about the relationship between the organization and season ticket holders?
And because I assume Stan will be reading this ... I think there have been a bunch of improvements this year, and I know I have one of the gems (yay Matt!) as my ticket rep, but the attitude of the organization needs to be service 24-7, and this service needs to allow Nationals employees enough flexibility to help customers.
For example, if I have full-season tickets, I should be able to buy a ticket for a group event, like ladies night or baseball 101, without also buying another game ticket because ... I already have a game ticket. Stuff like this is common sense if you make it a priority to think both about your potential customers and about your existing customers.
For Stan,
Where have you been during this historic run of bad baseball. Not a single word to the fan base or season ticket holders. Go back and read his letters to us leading up to this season. Does he feel like what he promised has been delivered and if not what is he going to do about it. Hiding from us is just making us mad!
Well, I think profits will actually increase if beer prices drop. People (me) will buy more AND Stan will get more people in the seats. They really need to hire an economist (me) to sort out the potential revenue gain from cheaper beer. I'll spare everyone the discussion of price elasticities ,profit maximization, and inferior goods.
The lines are so long I assume they're already selling as much beer as their concessionaires can handle. So you'd have to upgrade that group.
Good point, but some games are like a scooby doo ghost town (where did I read that?) with unmanned beer carts. For god's sake, a steel tub with natty light is all I am asking for....
I am sure the walkabout vendors would find a way to satisfy demand.
More seriously, ask Stan if Glavine were willing to pitch for Nats, would we sign him?
Please ask about Tyler Clippard. Why do we not give him a shot when Manny has so little confidence in Jesus Colome?
Rain delays -- they're becoming a compelling reason for not renewing my partial plan season ticket. I'm not interested in eating tickets when the game is likely to end after midnight, and watching it is likely to be a miserable experience (see Nats320 on the nightcap of the Giants double header). If I'm shut out of a series like the Red Sox, so be it.
I'm also with dcbatgirl on not having to buy a second ticket for group events and ladies nights. Add that to the reasons I'm not interested in renewing my season ticket. If the idea is to use these events to market to people who aren't already committed to going to the games -- I'll take that as a hint.
Souldrummer
Yes yes yes! Why is Clippard not in the big leagues? Rizzo has proven a good evaluator so I would be more curious, than criticizing.
Also, when do we have a full time GM?
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