The MLB and baseball as a whole have had a major issue in recent years. Fans are having a hard time interacting with the game due to many different reasons.
Going to the stadium has become an expensive trip with the price of concessions, parking and the start time of games. Teams have made attempts to change the narrative, and many have failed.
The Orioles have possibly steered this case in another direction, so more fans can enjoy more games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards this season. Let’s explain why this could be.
New Start Times
One issue that teams have had in recent years is interacting with the younger fans who attend school. Games start at times considered too late for elementary and middle school students who are most likely in bed by 9 p.m. to get up for school the next morning.
According to multiple sources, because of the new rules in place with the MLB, a standard game will take around three hours and five minutes. Therefore, with a game starting at 7:05 p.m. on a school night, it likely won’t end until around 10 p.m.
The Orioles have decided to try and fix this issue so young fans could not only enjoy the game live but watch full games in the comfort of their own homes as well. During the months of April, May and September, the team will have Monday through Thursday home games starting at 6:35 p.m. instead of 7:05 p.m.
The above tweet shows the start time idea was going to go into effect during the 2020 season, but the COVID pandemic changed those plans, along with the entire season.
This won’t affect just children, as adults with demanding jobs won’t have to stay up as late and wake up even more tired the next morning. That extra half hour will make a difference.
Fans will be able to attend games without having to worry about getting home super late, especially with school or work the next day. It will also bring more eyes to OPACY to watch the future O’s stars shine.
Special Ticket Offers
As stated earlier, attending baseball games has become very expensive based on inflation and the supply and demand of tickets decreasing over the years, especially for the O’s.
Tickets currently range anywhere from $10 to $55 dollars at Camden Yards. But the Orioles have found ways to help fans attend even more games.
The O’s will implement three different types of discounts during the 2023 season, which affects all ages. Monday through Thursday (excluding Opening Day), fans can attend games for just $10 and sit in the bleachers located between sections 90-98 in center field (this was a popular decision that debuted last season).
They also have continued Kids Cheer Free, where if you purchase an upper deck ticket, all kids ages nine and under attend the game for free.
The final deal is the most common yet most respectful and deserving, and that is the Military and First Responders discount.
Each of these ticket discounts makes it easier for fans of all ages to enjoy the game for a reasonable price. That change should help families be able to afford attending games more as the season progresses.
Plus, the team allows fans to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages into Camden Yards, all of which must be contained in a clear plastic bag no larger than one-gallon in size. Another great way to save a buck.
For more details on these special ticket offers, click here.
Promotions
We have already covered the entire Orioles promotional schedule when it was first released, but there are certain aspects that will attract more fans. They have added an array of bobbleheads and a special promotion that we’ve never seen before from the O’s.
The Orioles have always been amazing when it comes to promotional schedules and giving fans what they want. This year, handing out bobbleheads of Adley Rutschman, Félix Bautista and Ryan Mountcastle helps prove the point.
This year, the Orioles have decided to have a special promotion for kids under the age of 14. On Easter, April 9, they will be handing out a Nickelodeon Oriole Bird bobblehead, which could be the start of having promotions specifically for the younger audience.
For the full list of 2023 promotional giveaways and theme nights, click here.
Do you think the Orioles are doing a good job of making games more accessible to fans? Let us know in the comments below! And make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook and Twitter, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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