Shapiro: Upgrades planned for RC, grass not a top priority

[Thomas Malthus]

Thats interesting because when I bought my season tickets the seat map looks the exact same with the same amount of seats in each row. It would make sense from the Blue Jays perspective to shrink the number of seats to the low 40,00s as well since it increases demand. Close to 50,000 is way too many seats for a baseball park.

 

Now that the blue jays don't share with the Argos I wonder if they will change the seating directions as well. Like ALM said the baseline seats aren't even facing homeplate.

 

Not to nitpick or anything but reducing the supply doesn't increase demand (in the sense of a shift in the demand curve). Restrictions the supply raises the equilibrium price and reduces the quantity demanded in equilibrium as a result. Those still purchasing tickets will however have a higher willingness to pay for the tickets than those who no longer purchase tickets.

 

Assuming of course that tickets are a normal good (and not a good whose quantity demanded increases with price). There are some other assumptions baked in there too.

[burlingtonbandit]

Not to nitpick or anything but reducing the supply doesn't increase demand (in the sense of a shift in the demand curve). Restrictions the supply raises the equilibrium price and reduces the quantity demanded in equilibrium as a result. Those still purchasing tickets will however have a higher willingness to pay for the tickets than those who no longer purchase tickets.

 

Assuming of course that tickets are a normal good (and not a good whose quantity demanded increases with price). There are some other assumptions baked in there too.

 

Yeah perhaps I should have worded it better but the end result is still the same:more money.

[Thomas Malthus]

Yeah perhaps I should have worded it better but the end result is still the same:more money.

 

Not necessarily. The effect on revenue (and thus profit) depends on the elasticity of demand - how responsive are consumers to changes in price? Knowing that answers the question "Does the reduction in quantity demanded offset the increase in price?"

[Dick_Pole]

I'm 6'8...I don't find the seats at RC to be particularly bad...at least not that much worse than anywhere else. It's funny that smaller people are complaining more than larger ones. I guess guys my size or close to it are just used to being squeezed and live their life around it while the 6'2 and under midgets are introduced to the unpleasant experience of contorting their bodies to fit into a seat for the first time in their lives at the RC.

[Effit]

Was at a game with my Aunt and she ended up with a larger man sitting next to her. She said she felt like asking him to reimburse her for at least half the price of her ticket since he was taking up half her seat, while she had to lean over into mine. lol

[Grant77]

I'm 6'8...I don't find the seats at RC to be particularly bad...at least not that much worse than anywhere else. It's funny that smaller people are complaining more than larger ones. I guess guys my size or close to it are just used to being squeezed and live their life around it while the 6'2 and under midgets are introduced to the unpleasant experience of contorting their bodies to fit into a seat for the first time in their lives at the RC.

 

Ever been asked to switch seats with the person behind you because they can't see? I don't mind, but I always find it funny. It's never happened at a Jays game, but at least 10 times at hockey games and other sporting events.

[burlingtonbandit]

Not necessarily. The effect on revenue (and thus profit) depends on the elasticity of demand - how responsive are consumers to changes in price? Knowing that answers the question "Does the reduction in quantity demanded offset the increase in price?"

 

Not only is there the price compnent but people will be more willing to go to other games since they couldn't get tickets to the game they wanted. Say there are 60 000 people that want to go to a Saturday game but only 45000 seats. Out of those 15000 people that didn't get tickets originally there are going to be some that will choose to go to a different game that isn't usually a sellout.

 

Obviously there are a lot of factors that come into play but from a Blue Jays and Rogers Centre perspective I think most people would agree that less seats would be better.

[BTS]

Less seats is only better if the quality of the seats improves when the seats are removed. If you remove those 15,000 without upgrading the other 45,000, you'll make less money and those attending games will have the same experience as before.

 

It also looks better. I'd much rather see 30K people in a 45K stadium than in a 60K seat stadium.

[KingKat]

If you remove those 15,000 without upgrading the other 45,000, you'll make less money and those attending games will have the same experience as before.

 

You won't necessarily make less money by choking the supply a bit. In fact, less seats might make it easier to implement dynamic pricing and increase revenue and the sight of empty seats does diminish the fan experience. That being said, might as well make the seats bigger and spin the reduction of seats to fans that way.

[Spanky99]

It also looks better. I'd much rather see 30K people in a 45K stadium than in a 60K seat stadium.

 

The Jays only hold 48 or so now, and it's getting smaller as posted. I've been at the dome with 55/56 in the playoffs in the 90's, pretty epic.

[TilsonBritoFan]

The Jays only hold 48 or so now, and it's getting smaller as posted. I've been at the dome with 55/56 in the playoffs in the 90's, pretty epic.

 

Pretty sure the old capacity was like 50,500. Its never been 56,000 for baseball

[Spanky99]

Pretty sure the old capacity was like 50,500. Its never been 56,000 for baseball

 

I see, wasn't there seats added on the field, etc,?

[Spanky99]

Regardless, It was loud.

[glory]

I hope he changes nothing, these entitled bandwagoners need to adapt or stfu.

 

Exactly.

 

I'm embarrassed by a lot of the comments from Jays fans this winter on social media. Shapiro should just do his thing and not give two shits about public opinion. The regime knows what it's doing.

[Spanky99]

The Rogers Centre's baseball attendance record is 52,383 (1991 All Star Game). They haven't really taken a noticeable amount of seats out.

 

It sounds like they're considering some good changes. Making the seats bigger and more angled to the plate would really improve the experience.

 

Agreed, although I've had plenty of great memories, especially through my 18 to 22 years.

[Spanky99]

Heck, 85 clinch is right up there.

[Spanky99]

Exactly.

 

I'm embarrassed by a lot of the comments from Jays fans this winter on social media. Shapiro should just do his thing and not give two shits about public opinion. The regime knows what it's doing.

 

No one worries of public opinion, mere months into his job. November 16' is when pressure starts to hit.

[DuckDuckGose]

The Rogers Centre's baseball attendance record is 52,383 (1991 All Star Game). They haven't really taken a noticeable amount of seats out.

 

It sounds like they're considering some good changes. Making the seats bigger and more angled to the plate would really improve the experience.

 

Shapiro also said they're still considering adding an all dirt infield for next season. I like that idea.

[Spanky99]

They just showed the Joey Bat Flip on SN, I LOVE IT!!!

[Spanky99]

Pretty damn close to Alomar's HR.

[Spanky99]

I don't like the idea of making our playing surface any closer to a real MLB playing surface. I wish our home field was the moon but I'll settle for what we have now.

 

Same, concrete dirt doesn't smell right.

[Spanky99]

Plus our advantage.

[KingKat]

Would the low canadian dollar make this a good time to invest in infrastructure, a bad time or not really change things? Just an honest question to anyone who might have some thoughts on the matter.

[Spanky99]

Would the low canadian dollar make this a good time to invest in infrastructure, a bad time or not really change things? Just an honest question to anyone who might have some thoughts on the matter.

 

Good time. All prices are down for material.

[KingKat]

Good time. All prices are down for material.

 

http://schneeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Screen-Shot-2014-10-06-at-2.56.50-AM.png

[burlingtonbandit]

Less seats is only better if the quality of the seats improves when the seats are removed. If you remove those 15,000 without upgrading the other 45,000, you'll make less money and those attending games will have the same experience as before.

 

Well yeah they aren't going to just take out 10,000 seats and leave them empty lol. I wouldn't agree they would make less money though. Say they cut off the 500 Level outfield seats at the foul poles. You lose 5,000 or whatever the number is of seats but those other 40,000 seats are harder to come by now so you can increase the price. It would be all contingent on the Blue Jays using dynamic ticket pricing as the prices change based on supply and demand.

[Spanky99]

Would the low canadian dollar make this a good time to invest in infrastructure, a bad time or not really change things? Just an honest question to anyone who might have some thoughts on the matter.

 

Oh, or are you talking Dunedin, etc...I think they'll share commodities. If Dunedin, hold true to their word on upgrading everything.

[DuckDuckGose]

Good time. All prices are down for material.

 

What are you basing that on? It's going to depend on the specific materials. Also importing when the dollar is weak generally makes things more expensive. There is a very good chance some of the materials are being sourced from outside of Canada meaning that currently it would cost more for the materials. That being said labour is technically cheaper right now and that will be a large portion of the cost.

[Spanky99]

What are you basing that on? It's going to depend on the specific materials. Also importing when the dollar is weak generally makes things more expensive. There is a very good chance some of the materials are being sourced from outside of Canada meaning that currently it would cost more for the materials. That being said labour is technically cheaper right now and that will be a large portion of the cost.

 

Please stop.

[Dick_Pole]

Ever been asked to switch seats with the person behind you because they can't see? I don't mind, but I always find it funny. It's never happened at a Jays game, but at least 10 times at hockey games and other sporting events.

 

Nope hasn't happened...though I have seen people jiggle themselves around a bit, like the dad sits behind me and the kid takes his seat. Actually I think it's the people in front who have a worse time. Knees to the head and all. Back when the Jays weren't popular and the row in front of me was empty, the seats are perfectly built so my legs can usurp that space.