Tuesday, February 5, 2013

2013 Ballpark Pass Fiasco - A supremely annoyed photo essay

Any Blue Jays fan who was familiar with the Season Pass (Toronto Star Season Pass, the Fan Pass, or whatever you want to call it) probably also knows that the organization decided to rename it this year to the Ballpark Pass. 

What you're probably also aware of is that the organization decided to sell about half as many passes for the 2013 season, offering only 2 passes per registered buyer of a 2012 pass. This seems like a fair policy until you look at what the Jays did when selling passes for the 2012 season. They assigned seats to each pass, and made no guarantees that you could sit with friends, unless you bought with friends.

So we did what a lot of people did... Bought 8 seats together, under one account. Everybody paid the buyer, and we all had our seats in a row for the 2012 season. But... that meant there was only one buyer, and ONLY that person was entitled to tickets in 2013.

Well... that's just dumb. We had 8 people who paid for tickets, and used their tickets. We were not scalpers, we did not resell, or make any money on any ticket EVER. The worst thing you'd do was bring your friend to the game, and he'd buy you a beer to thank you (note: Jays make money on our beer).

So... today I'm going to show the Blue Jays that as a pass holder for several years prior, I am disgusted with the way I've been treated this year. I'm going to remind them that they're screwing over loyal fans... the ones who supported the team when they were awful, average, 'roided up, and irrelevant.

What follows is a photo essay... of things that are in my house. I'll remind you, the Blue Jays didn't reply to any of my emails regarding the pass, they ignored two phone calls regarding my pass, and very rudely told me that I wasn't getting one this year. Considering the amount of time, money, and love I've put into this team... I can't say I'm happy.


1988

1998

1992 - Fenway Park

1995

I have a few Blue Jays hats




Even the Steroid Era giant wing 2000 season "T" hat... NOBODY HAS THAT ONE




yes that's a '93 Starter Back2Back hat

And the '92 World Series Champs...
 and the 2011 DUNEDIN Jays. Did I mention I go to Spring Training?
St. Patricks Day Jersey - Spring Training


Of course the 2012 new/old look Bautista

And the 2004-2010 jersey

 And some t-shirts...
And some golf shirts... 
 And some workout gear...
 And some t-shirts.
 Autographed Frank Thomas bat
 25th anniversary book
 My first game back in Toronto after living in the US for 10 years.
 Some more tickets... including 2010 roadtrip to Cleveland
 Some tickets from my Fan Pass years...
 Oh look... old Fan Passes (including 2012!!)
 Hey neat!! 30 ticket stubs from 2012 when I had a Fan Pass!
 Needs no explanation.
 Yes, I hold my pens and pencils in a baseball card box.
 My fridge... 
 The helmet came from a Ground Round restaurant when I was 11. The ball was from BP.
 My grandmother made me a quilt/banner when I was 12, because I was so obsessed.
 Yes. This was on my lawn for a while.
 One day trip to NYC for Jays/Yankees (2007)
 This was a newspaper giveaway... I framed mine.
 2005 and 2006 Fan Passes (Name Misspelled) - And also a 1992 ticket from Fenway. Jays won.
 A random sample of tickets... including a couple 1998 Fenway tickets.
 Another Fenway ticket... they were giving them away in 1998.

 First game at SkyDome. 1993... I was living in NY at the time.
 1992-1993 collection...






 Untouched program from 1992 Game 3. I have the ticket stubs at my parents house. I didn't go, they did.
 1992 Sports Illustrated
 1993 Sports Illustrated
 Needs no explanation.
 My dad and I scored every game of the 1993 series at home... Game 4 was insane.
 Game 6... needs no explanation.
 I sent in boxtops from Corn Flakes to get this. I added the #9.
 Signed up for a credit card to get the scarf.
 Went to the Fathers Day game ALONE to get the helmet.
 My juice glasses.
 My replacement copy of this DVD... I let somebody borrow the first.
My mug.

But you're right, Blue Jays. I shouldn't spend any more money on you this year... Except for the Blue Jays trips I have planned for Spring Training and Chicago. Seriously, this is an abusive relationship. 

Oh wait...Speaking of relationships  I forgot to show you my engagement photos: