Bucs and Phils . . .

JIM: I saw recently that the Pirates already announced that they are raising ticket prices for next year. Bunch of Mensa candidates running the organization. What the hell can they be thinking???

I am also going to the Phillies game tonight. I had no idea until the Phillies sent me a reminder that I had purchased tickets for tonight's game (I actually thought I had tickets for Thursday!). Now that's classy, sending email reminders to ticket holders to remind them. It's actually very cool because we will now get to see the dedication and unveiling of the Harry Kalas statue.

DAVE: I predicted at the All-Star break that the Pirates would be raising ticket prices next year. They have been holding pretty steady on ticket prices since PNC opened in 2001, due primarily to the fact that they couldn't raise ticket prices for a horrible team. I knew that as soon as they even sniffed being competitive that the Pirates would see their opportunity to raise prices. Ticket prices for Pirate games are VERY cheap compared to other teams like the Phillies. You can get a great seat for $35-40. I mean, a great seat. So, I knew an increase was coming. Then, when they picked up Derek Lee and Ryan Ludwick, I knew it for sure. They were showing the fans that they were willing to make moves. So, now that they have shown that, they can justify raising ticket prices. They have been waiting for this opportunity for ten years.

I can only imagine what you spent on tickets for tonight's Phillies game.

JIM: But when do you ever see a team announce price increases for next year during the season? Their timing seems extremely odd, to say the least.

$28 for tonight's tickets. They are upper level behind home plate (actually down first baseline a little), which to tell the truth is one of my favorite places to sit. You can see the whole field and everything is always right in front of you.

DAVE: Good point. I guess only the Pirates. Where did you hear about the price increase?

I think you're describing a location where I, too, used to like to get tickets for games. $28 doesn't sound too bad, actually.

JIM: A friend of mine who's from Pittsburgh and is a big Pirates fan told me the other day. It's like they don't know what to do now that they actually have real crowds coming to the ballpark, so they did whatever they could think of to kill any enthusiasm that the fans are showing.