After the Orioles sent messages to season ticket holders on Thursday informing them of planned changes to available packages, fans started contacting us, nearly all of them voicing their displeasure.
The Orioles will no longer offer their 13-game and 29-game plans, instead offering 20-game and 40-game plans. They’re including incentives, where fans can return up to 30 percent of games before the season for full renewal credit applied to their plans for the following year.
They’re also guaranteeing fans that they’ll be able to secure giveaways on popular promotions such as Hawaiian Shirt and Floppy Hat Night by creating a special entrance for season ticket holders.
The Orioles also will offer a 10-game plan with reduced benefits, which I was not originally aware of since they didn’t send that offer to fans with 29-game plans, only to those with 13-game plans.
A longtime season ticket holder whose seats are being relocated because they’ll be needed for the expansion of the new press box, sent me the email and said she might decline to renew after attending for more than 50 years.
Apparently, she’s not alone.
Patty Meehan, from Ellicott City, wrote:
“Today I received an email from the O’s announcing new season ticket plans. NOWHERE in that email did it say that the 29 -game and 13- game plans are being eliminated.
“I was shocked when a few hours later I saw your article. Talk about deception! Not sure if you read the email from the O’s but my take was, they were adding plans as, again, it does not say anywhere in the email that the 13- and 29-game plans will no longer be offered. What a shame. I have had my 13-game plan for 34 years.
“I will not be renewing. I’m 65, I would have renewed for another 10 or 15 years. I’m sure I’m not the only longtime fan they are driving away.
“Perhaps an article on the O’s not caring about loyal fans and driving them away should be next.”
Christopher Anderson, of Silver Spring, wrote:
“The decision to eliminate the 13-game plan carries significant implications that appear to be overlooked.
“First, requiring fans to move from a 13-game to a 20-game plan—combined with a 3 percent price increase—results in a 56 percent increase in out-of-pocket costs. This represents a substantial financial burden, particularly for those who chose the 13-game plan specifically for its affordability and flexibility.
“Second, the new Sellback Program does not mitigate the increased cost for this renewal. Since funds from the program can only be applied to the following year’s plan, they are forfeited if the fan does not or cannot renew. As such, the program offers no meaningful solution or alternative to those seeking a smaller, more manageable package.
“It’s not only renovations that are going to cause seat relocations. The O’s are demanding that certain 29-game plan holders convert to full season plans or lose their seats. I have two 29-game plans with 2 seats in each. I have had those plans for over 50 years and 40 years, respectively.
“I have been told that those locations will only be for full season plans next year. So I have to increase from 29 to 81 games or find a 40- or 20-game plan elsewhere.
“Even with 30 percent return allowance (to be credited to the following year) that is still requiring me to take 57 games. And having to decide in a month leaves very little time to find partners to share the seats. It’s longtime season ticket holders be damned!”
John, from Bel Air, wrote:
“I received the invoice to renew my season ticket plan, and nowhere to be found was a renewal for my parking pass. I confirmed with the Orioles that parking won’t go on sale until after the deadline to renew tickets, and they won’t say at this time how much the parking passes will cost. How does this make any sense? I thought ‘transparency’ was the goal of their new ticket policies. How am I supposed to decide on renewing when they won’t tell me how much it will cost to park my car? I won’t be renewing. Maybe the Orioles think their season ticket holders all live within walking distance of Camden Yards.”
Bill Cline wrote:
“Many years ago, when Camden Yards opened, my wife and her sister filled out and submitted multiple forms to the Orioles to try for the lottery to get a Sunday 13-game plan with 4 seats in Section 338, Row 4, Seats 5 thru 8. Since 1992, they’ve traveled from Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia; since 2000 from Alexandria in northern Virginia.
“That’s right: 33 years in the same seats, and the two guys that have seats next to us have been there the whole time, too, initially with their granddad. We’ve been friends all this time. l don’t know what happens next!
“Today, we are in receipt of an email that says no more 13-game season tickets; essentially told to buy seven more games? And nothing said about what happens to our awesome seats or what days the 20 games would include. It’s just not possible for us to drive from northern Virginia to Baltimore for weeknight games.
“Each Sunday we drive the 45 miles one-way to Camden Yards to watch our O’s play baseball.
“Has anybody in Birdland considered what the drive from Alexandria to Baltimore for a 7:05 p.m. game would take in rush hour traffic?”
And there were many more upset fans. This is a small sample of the complaints we received.
It seems shortsighted to eliminate the 13-game plans. That’s a game every two weeks, and for most fans, that’s a healthy commitment, and its elimination seems to demonstrate a lack of understanding of the traditions that fans of the Orioles revere.
It also seems strange for the Orioles to attempt to convince a fan base, which is notoriously resistant to change, to buy more seats in a season that has been most disappointing and resulted in a 20-percent drop in attendance.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I answer Orioles questions. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com