Playoff games 1 and 2 sold out

UPDATE, 10:13: Tickets for the Rays' first two playoff games sold out during Tuesday's Internet pre-sale.

Principal owner Stuart Sternberg said he was not surprised at the brisk pace of sales.

"It's postseason baseball,'' he said. "Postseason is few and far between. So I never expected anything otherwise. We had a good sense there was going to be a lot of demand for the tickets. ... It's the nature of the Internet and things happen very quickly. ... I wouldn't be excited that it sold out quickly, I would have been ridiculously disappointed had it not. So this was very much our expectation. This is postseason baseball. I can't even think about running this business if it wouldn't have happened.''

Sternberg said the Rays would not reconsider removing the tarps covering the top portions of the upper deck for the first or second round.

He also reiterated that they are saving a "very limited number" of tickets for fans who make deposits on 2009 season tickets. "Good seats can still be had,'' he said.

If the Rays win the AL East, they will put on sale in a similar fashion tickets for a potential third home game in the first round (which would be Game 5 of the series).

- - - -  -

Team president Matt Silverman said sales during today's Internet pre-sale were so strong that only a very limited number of tickets to the first two division series games may be left wth the public Internet sale begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The Rays held the pre-sale on Tuesday for fans who registered on their web site, raysbaseball.com, and were selected in a random drawing. They are also holding back what Silverman said were "a limited number" of tickets for fans who make deposits on 2009 season tickets.

The dates, opponent and game times won't be known for several days. If the Rays win the AL East, they most likely will open at home against the Central Division champs, either the Twins or White Sox, with Game 1 at Tropicana Field either Oct. 1 or Oct 2, and Game 2 on Oct. 3. If they end up as the wild-card, they would open on the road and play Game 3 at home on Oct. 5 and a potential Game 4 on Oct. 6.

Comments

[Luis Garcia]

far from plenty available.... and they for sure are not baseline also that's $70 prior to around the $15- $20 bucks on service/commissions fees.

[Johnny]

Plenty available on Stubhub...150 listings last count bidding starts at $70...

[Luis Garcia]

CHUCK what is your email? I'll buy them.

[Graham]

I moved back here in 2004 and have done everything I can do to make as many Rays games as I can. I've made more and more each year. I made about 12 this year.....almost each one of them a weeknight game that I knew others wouldn't attend. Designed that way specifically to be there and show support. If I had unlimited funds, you can bet everything that I would have been at 81 games.

And this is how it's drawn out for me. If I'm not selected in a random drawing, I don't get the premium pricing to get into the game. But I'm more than welcome to show myself on Stub Hub or sign up for a season ticket package.

And just how many tickets are they "holding back" for people who purchase these ticket packages? The fact that they aren't opening the upper areas of the stadium tells me ticket sales aren't as rosy as they're letting on. And yet there are people who want them.

I mean, I still have open wounds from shaking a cowbell for nine innings at last week's Twins game (The 11-8 loss that we led 8-6 going into the ninth).

This makes me ill. Seriously ill. With shades of Culverhouse.....

[Graham]

This pretty well torques me off.....

9,000 extra seats in the top of the stadium and I can't get a ticket, unless I want to pay double the price through Stub Hub to sit on Mars?

I scraped and pinched this season to go to games. I didn't go to BoSox and Yankee games. I CHOSE to go to weekday games that I knew others would NOT. I made 12 of them. Unfortunately, some of us don't have the deep pockets that allow us to plunk down a $400 deposit on a season ticket package that will cost us even more down the road. But some will say we aren't fans.

I am as close to a Bay area native as it gets. My family moved here when I was 3, back in 1975. As a young boy, I endured many of the Bucs follies and never once wavered in my allegiance to the local team.

In 1992, I joined the military and moved away. I missed the beginning days of the Lightning but I watched the best I could from afar.

When the Rays started playing in 1998, I was living in Arizona. I couldn't attend the first game, but I watched the best I could from afar. While the Diamondbacks were winning a World Series, I had to put up with the mockery that came along with supporting what was always referred to by my friends and peers as "that minor league team from Tampa". I stuck through it and continue to stick through it.

[Graham]

OK. What is up with TypePad's Anti-Spam filter?

[Woody]

Myself and 13 people I know, registered. Only one of us "won" the right to buy 4 tix per game. It is 100% WRONG that the extra seats aren't being sold! We wait 11 years for this and put up with the HORRIBLE teams - and the fans get this slap in the face? Thanks for the playoff team but how about some respect for the real fans who have been with you all the way??? Mayor Baker needs to say something about this. Ridiculous. And putting a damper on a dream season.

[Bozo the Clown]

I must have gone to 25 games this year and any one of you schmoes moaning about not getting playoff tickets could have been there. Now that they are in the playoffs, you are whining about not getting tickets. Sign up for season tickets and get your playoff tickets now. It will still be cheaper than buying them on Stubhub (even if you eat the deposit for 2009 season tickets). I'd hope you'd actually buy season tickets next year since you are such a rabid fan, but it's simple math. You can' get something for nothin' so step up and pay the price (like those of us that do have season tickets already have).

[Chuck]

I have 4 tickets in section 136 (baseline box). We'll start the bidding at $70 a ticket.

[dave]

Very simple reason the team doesn't remove the tarps: they make more money if they don't. How's that? Remember a few years back when the Cubs got in trouble for the ticket broker scam they were working? For games they would sell out, they would sell tickets at face value to a "ticket broker," which in reality was just another entity owned by the team. That entity would then turn around and sell the tickets at over double the face value. High demand and less supply equals more money for the seller. That's why the Yankees are building a new stadium with 10,000 fewer seats. I consider myself a Rays fan, I have tickets to game 2, but I'm not blind to the fact MLB is all about money.

[David]

The obvious reason why they don't remove the tarp is revealed by the fact that there are still "good seats" to those who put a 2009 season ticket deposit down. They are leveraging limited playoff seats to strong arm people into at least putting a deposit down for next year.

[Daniel]

All you ticket scalpers need to die

[Joe]

If you didn't get tickets...quit whining!

Its not because you aren't a fan, or the Rays organization hates you, or you aren't "special".
The only FAIR thing to do for EVERYONE because the Rays want EVERYONE to be involved with the team is to hold a RANDOM drawing.

Can we all stop complaining about who did or did not get tickets and realize the bigger picture......OUR Rays are going to the postseason, more than likely as AL East Champs!!!

If you cant get into the stadium then stick around downtown and watch the game.
I am sure you'll be able to scalp tix at the trop around game time for a reasonable price.

[Jay]

To Fred: Although I'm a scalper, we do live in a capitalist country. What these people are doing is legal.
So why would you want to do this anyway. Next thing you will be saying is your milk is too expensive and want to socialize that too!

[mike]

This must be a misprint or a hoax of some kind. Reading the St Pete times has led me to believe there are no fans in Tampa Bay and this is the worse place in the world for a team.

[Jay]

To Fred: Although I'm a scalper, we do live in a capitalist country. What these people are doing is legal.
So why would you want to do this anyway. Next thing you will be saying is your milk is too expensive and want to socialize that too!

[Chuck]

If the Rays charged what the tickets were actually WORTH and not these deflated prices there wouldn't be a problem with resellers.

Supply and Demand, yo.

[Fred]

A lot of tickets were sold to resellers. Checked Stub Hub at 8:00 this morning and there were already over 1000 tickets for sale. Instead of selling to fans they sold to people who want to make a profit and could care less about going to the game at double the price. The funny thing is the Rays are promoting the sclapers on their own website saying if you want tickets go to Stub Hub.
If the Rays really cared about the fans they would find the tickets being resold and cancel the original sale and sell them to the general public at face value.

[Phil]

Take the freakin traps off!

[Go Rays!]

When my family and I went to the Rays/Tiger game in august (It was a LITERAL walk off), we were told that the tarps are on the seats to keep the number of seats at a certain number so the stadium pays a lower fee to MLB. The stadium worker at that time, over six weeks ago, said they would only take the seats off for the World Series. It isn't that Stu just came up with this idea, he's following the rules so the team doesn't have to pay more. I guess a "smaller" stadium means less in revenue sharing.

[tarps]

Oh...ok I was confused. I agree. I can't believe they aren't removing the tarps. He says it is because he doesn't want to ruin the experience for fans and that the seats aren't good and obstructed views etc. Let the fans decide that. I'm sure most won't care. Sell them for less. The more people at the Trop for these games, the greater the feel for everyone. Screaming fans etc. I've got mine, but we are the only people within our network of family and friends who were able to get them. I feel bad.

[tunamanz]

I have playoff tickets. I just think that it is BS not to pack the Trop to the fire marshall max. Not removing the seats is just the craziest thing that I have ever heard! Not a good gesture from the Rays towards getting more fans!

[season ticket holder]

Tunamanz...as a season ticket holder, you didn't get tickets????????

[tunamanz]

It is obvious that this is the first time that this team has ever been in the playoffs. Let me educate you some...when you make the post season you sell as many tickets as you can, including standing room only. Everyone complains that the fans are not showing up at the games. Well they are now, people are begging to get tickets and the Rays want to keep 6,000 empty seats in the Trop. W.T.F!!!!! I am a die-hard fan since the beginning and am a season ticket holder since the beginning. The new ownership has done wonderful things with the team, but this is by far the most rediculous BS that I have ever heard. I am starting to wonder why I am a season ticket holder to a team that really does not care about the fans! The Rays will lose a lot of respect if the tarps are not removed. Again, I say to Sternberg and the Rays.....W.T.F!

[Josh B.]

Glad to see it sold out so fast, now I can wade through the thousands of tickets for sale on craigslist. What percentage of these tickets were purchased by people and business trying to make money. I'll be the guy lowballing all of you...

Why not leave the tickets for people who actually want to see the game.

Josh B.

[random]

It was completely random. I registered late in the afternoon on the last day and got picked. I only wound up taking 3 tickets to Game 2. I thought only after that I should have snatched up tickets to Game 1 and sold them to a loyal fan for face value. I can't believe how many...and for how much people are selling their tickets on stubhub for. It is discusting. But, this is America...and Capitalism is the way to go...I guess.

[Phil]

Kim, will you please just go away. The man from Japan can take you with him when he goes back.

[Johnny]

Keep your eye on Stubhub...all the "loyal" fans will be selling em like hotcakes

[Bill]

Why not take off the tarps? That doesn't make economic sense.

[Chris]

Take the tarps off! That place will be rocking. Yes, it will load up the upper deck restrooms, but hey, it's playoff baseball!

[Steve]

Uncover the tarps Stu!! It our first playoffs Stu!! So what if they are obstructed seats, uncover them Stu!!

[Luis Garcia]

To Mark,

While it would be nice one must think of the work crew the Trop would have to provide for such an event... They then would have to charge in order to have a crew. And who would pay $5 or $10 bucks to watch a baseball game on a TV while drinking $7 beers?

[Luis Garcia]

**CORRECTION** (Email was not listed correctly)

I have some tickets if anyone is interested I can be contacted at:

raulito@GMX.com

[Luis Garcia]

I have some tickets if anyone is interested I can be contacted at:

raultio@GMX.com

[Mark]

Why can't the Rays open up the stadium over the next few nights until we clinch so we can watch the game on the jumbo-tron? That would be awesome to sit there with other Rays fans.

[Harold]

I love this
You could put down a deposit for next year tickets, even partial season, and get playoff tics. But people are bitchin because they didnt and now cant get tickets in a "Random" drawing aka "Lottery". whine whine whine.
Are these the same people that think the Lotto is "Fixed" because they didn't win the Florida Lotto with their 1 dollar lotto ticket?
I doubt these whiners went to a game or If they did they couldn't commit 100 dollars to a partial season plan until the Rays "locked up" a Post season spot but wannabe "Long time Rays Fans Shorted By the Greedy MAN"
Whateva

[9equals8.com]

The good news for those that did not win is that they've held back a small number of tickets for folks that put down a deposit for 2009 season tickets. It's not too late!

BTW - there is highly unlikely to be the same kind of availability for the World Series (if/when we make it). Thus, if you really want a shot at affordable playoff tickets, put you deposit down now!

[Mark]

There's nothing about any times set for any playoff games from the MLB website, so I don't know why anyone is talking about what time Game 1 is.

The team with the best record in the AL gets to choose either Oct. 1 and Oct. 2 for when they'll start their series, so we don't even know what day Game 1 for the Rays will be other than that it will obviously be one of those two days.

[John@10:04]

quit your whining ... IDIOT!
You sound like such a petty little man worrying about the haves and have nots ... you had a chance to buy tix through the deposit program

if you can't afford that, you probably can't afford tix to the playoff games ... keep your stinkyass at home

[shane]

i got 8 tickets, will sell all 8 for $19,856. Any takers?

[mo]

Why not take the tarps off I don't get it!!

[John]

Don't forget the tickets that were saved for the bay area's "elite". I bet you lots of them will have tickets. How many media personalities will be there?

[Roy]

Everyone had a fair chance to put down a deposit for season tickets to next year and guarantee playoff tickets before the drawing. If you choose not to do that, then it was a luck of the draw for the rest of the tickets.

How is that not fair?

[Amanda]

Mike-
Kim's an anti-baseball stadium whiner. She posts on almost every Rays article just to whine about the DEFUNCT stadium issue. It's one of those so-pathetic-it's-funny things.
She must be a fantastic person to hang around. I bet she was a blast at parties in her youth.

[Mike]

To Kim at 6:34:

Are you the last miserable POS who still holds residual ill will about the stadium deal, a jealous Yankee fan, or still-smarting Red Sox fan? How about this ... go to Japan yourself and try the Chiri, or perhaps the Sashimi Fugu.

I bet your life sucks.

[Wally the Whiner]

Boooohooo Hooooo Hooo . .. I like the rays more than anyone and I didn't get tix!
it's just not fair!

i'm gonna sit in the corner and hold my breath and have a pity party

booo hoo hoo hoo

[Dennis]

Funny that all of a sudden people are crying that they can't get tickets. I saw them all year, and if you really want to be there for the playoffs, I am sure there will be options, but they won't be as cheap. They also said they are holding some back in case you want season tickets next year, so you can put your money where your crying mouth is and pony up for next year, or are you only interested in the playoffs, if so, I am glad you missed the ticket lotto.

[Jon]

Timmer:

"How is a random drawing fair. everyone should have an equal shot at tickets, end of story."

Everyone getting an equal shot is exactly what a random drawing guarantees. How would you have suggested they did it?

"There should have been a limit, so at least there would still be some left."

There was a 4 ticket limit per person, which is not excessive.

If you didn't get tickets and still want them try Stub Hub or Craigslist. There will be plenty available, especially since the dates haven't been locked down yet and there will surely be people with tickets who can't make the game.

[timmer]

How is a random drawing fair. everyone should have an equal shot at tickets, end of story. Now most of them are gone? Luck of the draw shouldn't factor into who gets a chance at tickets. There should have been a limit, so at least there would still be some left.

[Brian J]

I agree, time to take off the tarps.