thanks for the tip.  this far in advance of the game, it looks like stubhub has prices on par with the link on the yahoo team schedule.

but checking the mariners, i notice that tonight's game's tickets go for as little as $2.  so it looks like stubhub might be a great way to get last minute tickets, as long as one is flexible.  have you ever tried doing it that way?

"but checking the mariners, i notice that tonight's game's tickets go for as little as $2.  so it looks like stubhub might be a great way to get last minute tickets, as long as one is flexible.  have you ever tried doing it that way?"

I've used StubHub a few times, and I've never had a problem. But I've never gotten tickets on the day of the game, it's always been a couple of months out and I've received the tickets through the mail. I suppose the seller could deliver them personally to you or take them to the will call window at the stadium.
If you're feeling lucky on a particular day, go to the box office just after the game starts and ask if there are any unclaimed will call tickets available. Sometimes, good - and in some instances great - seats can be had at face value because some contest winner didn't pick up his tickets. The tickets the players don't use also may be available.
If you're into pure capitalism, there are "independent secondary market ticket brokers" on Clark Street a couple of blocks from the ballpark starting several hours before the games. I've never bought tickets from a scalper, and I'd never advise going that route, but it's an option. The best time to buy a ticket from a scalper is after the game starts, when they're willing to dump their supply at face value, or sometimes even lower.

Last edited by artie_fufkin (4/11/2011 11:43 am)

The first time I took Zach to a ballgame, it was on free tickets from a vendor who works with my wife. The seats were 25 rows back, directly behind home plate. And when I say directly behind the plate, if I had stuck out my right arm, an imaginary line from it would have bisected the plate. Incredible seats. Zach was 5 at the time, and the Red Sox were playing the Angels. After the Sox retired the Angels in the top of the first inning, the crowd cheers and Zach turns to me and says "Is it over?" Not exactly the father/son moment I had envisioned.
We made it to the middle of the fifth before we finally had to leave.

I probably already told this story, but last summer (July 31 to be exact; the Cardinals were holding their Whitey ceremony and Ludwick had been traded earlier in the day) I sat in the Coca-Cola section (right field) and couldn't see the first few innings because of the intensity of the sun. That and it was blistering hot.

I went again three days later and it was the hottest day of the year. Even in the shade it was probably 98 degrees at game time. Which was 7:15.

The lesson: stay away from Busch III in July/August.

good points.  looking from google earth it looks like the whole right side of the stadium is subject to wicked late afternoon / early evening sun.  as you get closer toward the infield i suspect it all depends on whether you are low enough to catch the shadow of the left-side grandstands.

Here's another thing I just learned, or just realized, perhaps: the home dugout is not standardized across MLB.  I thought it was always on the 1st base side.  But apparently not, and I had not been paying attention, because the Cubbies put theirs on the 3rd base side . . . or so it is written.

Max wrote:

Here's another thing I just learned, or just realized, perhaps: the home dugout is not standardized across MLB.  I thought it was always on the 1st base side.  But apparently not, and I had not been paying attention, because the Cubbies put theirs on the 3rd base side . . . or so it is written.

The Cardinals dugout is on the first base side. If you're going to a game in 2 weeks, you shouldn't have as many problems with the sun. It isn't as far north as it is in July/August

I haven't decided if I'm going to a game this season. Last year I purchased a fan appreciation package and got some great deals ($25 off all-inclusive tickets). And BoA tickets for $65 in May is a really good deal, but I'm just not happy with this team. Not enough to plop down whatever disposable income I have.