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Friday, February 14, 2014

A Friday Dodgers News Dump - Parking Rate Increase, Wireless and TV Programming

I've heard about a phenomena called a Friday News Dump.  Usually, it's something an organization does top hide some dire news that they want folks to quickly forgot.  So, they announce bad news on Friday in hopes that spending the weekend with family will cause your memory to fade.

Well, we got a plethora of news regarding the Dodgers today, but it's not exactly all bad.  So, I hardly consider this your typical Friday News Dump.  Still, it's notable that news like a parking lot price increase (even one fairly minor, for now) would come out on Friday, and on a Valentine's Day.

Also, there's news below related to some improved wireless services at Dodger Stadium and Dodgers programming at SportsNet LA.

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I Should Have Known

When they charged $20 for general parking at the recent Stadium Series hockey game at Dodger Stadium, I should have known that it would be an obvious sign that a price increase was due for Baseball games.

All morning, there had been rumblings about a parking increase, and now word of that is officially out.  Don't worry, though, it's really not as bad as you might think... Or, is it

General admission parking at the gate will cost fans $15.00; which is a $5.00 increase over last season.  But, the parking price remains $10.00 if you purchase parking in advance.  Also, the Dodgers also will offer premium parking in advance at $35 and for $50 at the gate.  You can go here to purchase parking tickets.

Per a Dodger press release:
The Dodgers are continuing to study other transportation improvements and parking enhancements to improve ingress and egress and will have a few new initiatives in place at the opening of the season. Among the changes for the 2014 season are:
  • Restriping the many lots, modifying circulation patterns and improved on-site signage.
  • Added bike racks to encourage bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation to Dodger Stadium
  • Enhance and promotion of the use of public bus on Sunset Boulevard and better marketing at the Metro Gold Line Chinatown and Red Line Hollywood Stations
  • More and clearer way-finding signage directing traffic to underutilized gates
  • Additional on-site parking spaces
"The fan experience is of paramount importance to the Dodgers," said Dodgers' President & CEO Stan Kasten. "We have been examining ways to improve our traffic flow at Dodger Stadium. We feel one of the best ways to expedite movement through the auto gates is for fans to have a prepaid parking pass when they arrive at Dodger Stadium. Transaction times will be improved."
They claim that this is done to tackle a bottleneck that occurs when cars are trying to get into the stadium.  So, raising prices at the gate, or forcing folks to purchase lower cost tickets online, will naturally reduce that aspect of the Dodger game traffic headache.

Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:
"The main bottleneck we have is transaction time at the gate. Last season in September we experimented with free parking for carpools, but it didn't have any impact at all," Dodgers CEO and president Stan Kasten said on Friday. "We are encouraging as many fans as possible to get your parking passes in advance, either online or on your phone on the way to the ballpark. If you do that, we can zip you right through.
Kasten also goes on to say that this is not a scheme to generate greater revenue.

On the face of it, these are reasonable assertions.  Basic economics tell you that there is a price point that forces folks to respond in a particular manner.  In this case, raising the prices at the gate should have the effect of forcing fans to carpool.  Likewise, fans paying for parking ahead of time should also theoretically be more likely to plan ahead for carpooling.  Both economic motivations could very well reduce the number of cars and cause a zero-sum gain, as result.

My concern, though, is that it won't stop there.  As evidenced by the recent hockey game and $20 general parking prices charged, I suspect we will eventually see rates increase another $5.00 across the board.

After all, the real traffic headache is not getting into the stadium (which this price increase is meant to address), it's getting out.  So, I expect that once this rate increase is accepted by the masses a new rate increase will be instituted thereafter.

When that happens, they will say it should lower the car count and make getting home after the game easier.  Oh... and by the way, this is not a scheme to generate greater revenue.

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Wireless services has just taken a small step forward.  Apple's iBeacon technologyhas just been installed at Dodger Stadium and Petco Park (Padres).  This is great news for iPhone users who have downloaded MLB.com At The Ballpark app.

Per a press release:
MLBAM today announced it has completed installation of Apple's iBeacon technology at the first two of more than 20 Major League Baseball ballparks that will use iBeacon technology for Opening Day of the 2014 season. With 65 iBeacons affixed throughout Petco Park and Dodger Stadium, the two ballparks have become the first sports venues in the world permanently equipped with iBeacon, a technology introduced with iOS 7 that uses Bluetooth Low Energy and geofencing for micro-location awareness.
Baseball fans will be able to utilize iBeacon technology within MLB.com At The Ballpark when the award-winning app's 2014 update is released for Opening Day. Complete details on new features being developed by MLBAM for At The Ballpark, including iBeacon capabilities, will be available in March.
"This is a great addition to our over-all program to make Dodger Stadium Wi-Fi-friendly for our fans," said Lon Rosen, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Los Angeles Dodgers. "We are hoping to provide our fans come Opening Day the finest in wireless technology and connectivity. This state of the art system will greatly enhance the fan experience and the enjoyment of Dodger baseball."
Hopefully, this is a case of one small step forward, several more bigger steps forward very soon.

UPDATE: Dex at Gaslamp Ball has more background on this iBeacon technology.  Check out what he has to say here.   He notes that iBeacon is "microlocation wifi".  They'll be able to track your every move... like, literally!
That's right, whether you like it or not, this sort of technology, at is absolute core, is all about knowing exactly where your cell phone is at any given moment. Regardless of if you have the accompanying apps installed. The very fact that your phone is looking for a wi-fi signal will announce your location to the iBeacon servers every moment that you're within range.

So not only will you get the timely reminder that there's a beer cart 3 steps to your left and a place that sells the hat you were hoping to find 18 feet to your right, but you'll also be letting the Padres (and Dodgers) know exactly how long you're standing at that urinal.
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As a 24-hour Dodgers channel comes closer to reality, news should start to trickle in on the various shows and programs we should expect to find.  So naturally, the official Dodger blog Dodger Insider unveiled some information this afternoon.  Check out what they wrote here.  Below is a synopsis:
  • Backstage: Dodgers” is a weekly documentary series that will give fans true inside access to the team from the first day of Spring Training through the last pitch of the season.  It will debut on February 25th with Clayton Kershaw.
  • Access SportsNet: Dodgers” will be SportsNet LA’s signature live daily studio show.  John Hartung will host this show.
  • Leadoff LA” will air live for half an hour from the SportsNet LA studios before “Access SportsNet: Dodgers” on game days during the regular season.  
  • Dodgers Clubhouse” will air weekly all season long and cover all aspects of the club, both on and off the field.  There will be a on-on-one session with Don Mattingly by Alanna Rizzo, and it will air on Mondays.
  • The interview series “Connected With…” will feature in-depth, sit-down interviews with Dodger personalities. Clayton Kershaw and Don Mattingly will be featured first.
  • Talkin’ Blue” will feature a look back at the Dodger past with Dodger legends and personalities.
  • Dodgermentary” will be 1-hour long biographies on past and present Dodgers'.
(The SportsNet LA studio, pic tweeted by @SportsNetLA)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full-Squad Workout #1


Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.
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(Hanley Ramirez, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

GO TIME: Today marked the first full-squad workout of the 2014 season and Dodger Manager Don Mattingly, along with President and CEO Stan Kasten, General Manager Ned Colletti, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Lon Rosen, Director of Publicity Joe Jareck and Director of Team Travel Scott Akasaki addressed the team for the first time.
(Dodgers spring clubhouse, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

NRI SPOTLIGHT: Veteran infielder Chone Figgins enters his first camp with the Dodgers as a non-roster invitee. Figgins owns a career .277 career batting average with 1,285 hits, 337 stolen bases, 35 home runs and 402 RBI in 11 big league seasons with the Angels (2002-09) and Mariners (2010-12). In his career, the 36-year-old ranks sixth in the Majors with 337 steals since 2002 and stole 30 or more bases in seven consecutive seasons from 2004-10. In the field, Figgins has .969 career fielding percentage, while appearing in games at third base (630 G), outfield (349 G), second base (274 G) and shortstop (27 G). Figgins, a member of the 2002 World Champion Anaheim Angels, hails from Plant City, FL.

WILL YOU BE MY VALENTIN?: Today, Hitting Coach Mark McGwire and Assistant Hitting Coach John Valentin were able to work with position players for the first time this season. Valentin enters his second season as the assistant hitting coach after serving as a minor league coach in the Dodgers’ organization since 2008 following an 11-year Major League career with Boston (1992-2001) and New York-NL (2002). Under the direction of McGwire and Valentin in 2013, the Dodgers offense ranked third in the National League in batting average (.264).
(Running drills, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

ALL DODGERS, ALL THE TIME: We’re just 11 days away from the launch of SportsNet LA on February 25, the new 24-hour-a-day network of the Dodgers. SNLA will televise all of this year’s Dodger Cactus League games, with the exception of two split-squad games, giving fans more Spring Training coverage than ever before. In addition to airing games during Spring Training, SportsNet LA will also air a nightly show, “Access SportsNet: Dodgers,” at 7:00 p.m. PT.
  • Today, SNLA announced its additional programming with “Access SportsNet: Dodgers,” “Leadoff LA,” “Dodgers Clubhouse,” “Connected With,” “Talkin’ Blue,” “Dodgermentary,” “Timeless Dodgers” and “Dodgers Squeeze Play” all set to air starting Feb. 25. For more information, please visit www.ineedmydodgers.com.
    (pic tweeted by @SportsNet LA)
THE SKIPPER: On Sunday, February 16, at USC’s Dedeaux Field, Hall of Fame Manager and Special Advisor to the Chairman Tommy Lasorda will be on hand for an unveiling of a statue of legendary college baseball coach Rod Dedeaux. Lasorda, along with former USC pitcher Randy Johnson, will speak at the event.

AMATEUR HOUR: College baseball took center stage at Camelback Ranch-Glendale today when Seth Rosin’s Minnesota Golden Gophers faced Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti’s alma mater, the Northern Illinois Huskies, in the first game of a three-game series to open their 2014 seasons. The Gophers and Huskies met in the Camelback Ranch main stadium at 1:00 p.m. today and will also play tomorrow and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Admission is free and food and beverages will be available for purchase during workouts and the college games.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

A Look at the 1988 Dodgers Unocal Pin Set

Following up on Wednesday's post featuring all 6 pins from the 1987 Dodgers Unocal pin set, I now share with you the pins from the 1988 set.

Unocal decided to go with a theme for the 1988 set.  All 6 pins feature LA Dodgers award winners.  Check them all out below.
Pin #1 - Move Valuable Players - In 1962 and 1963, the Dodgers had back-to-back National League MVP's in Maury Wills and Sandy Koufax.  Om 1974, Steve Garvey became the third Los Angeles Dodger to be honored with the league's most prestigious award.

Pin #2 - Stolen Base Champions - The LA Dodgers have two players lead the National League in stolen bases.  Maury Wills captured the stolen base championship six times from 1960-1965, including a record setting 104 in 1962.  Davey Lopes won the title in 1974 and 1976.  Lopes stole a career-high 77 bases in 1975.

Pin #3 - World Series MVP's - In 1959, Larry Sherry became the first World Series MVP the Dodgers had in LA.  Sandy Koufax led the World Champion Dodgers in the 1963 and 1965 World Series and he earned MVP honors in both series.  In 1981, Pedro Guerrero, Ron Cey and Steve Yeager were the sparks for the Dodgers, earning tri-MVP honors.

Pin #4 - CY Young Award Winners - The Los Angeles Dodgers have had four players earn the top honor for pitchers in the National League:  Don Drysdale (1962), Sandy Koufax (1963, 1965, 1966). Mike Marshall (1974), and Fernando Valenzuela (1981).

Pin #5 - Batting Champions - Tommy Davis collected two hits on Sept. 28, 1963, to finish with a .326 average and become the second youngest player in history ever to win two consecutive batting crowns.  In 1962, Tommy led the league with a .346 average.

Pin #6 - Rookies of the Year - The LA Dodgers have produced seven Rookies of the Year, including four consecutive winners from 1979-1982.  Frank Howard (1960), Jim Lefebvre (1965), Ted Sizemore (1969), Rick Sutcliffe (1979), Steve Howe (1980), Fernando Valenzuela (1981), and Steve Sax (1982.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 2/14/2014 - Dodgers Links - You Can Forget ABout Getting Actual Tickets for Home Games


Don Mattingly picks up a bat.  Bill Plunkett of the OC Register shared a pic on twitter of Mattingly in the batters box.  He likes to get a feel for what a hitter sees against his pitchers.
  • RIP, Jim Fregosi.  He passed away yesterday at the age of 71.   Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider writes, "Jim Fregosi’s Dodger Stadium ties".  Did you know that he hit the first inside-th-park home run in Dodger Stadium history?
  • JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers receives a comment from Dodgers President Stan Kasten regarding an online petition seeking a reverse of their paperless ticket policy.  Fans of ticket collecting will not be happy.  Kasten, more or less, dismissed any concern fans have.  There just hasn't been the kind of uproar needed to change their minds.
  • This is great.  Mark Langill at Dodger Insider writes, "Dodger position switches through the ages".
  • Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Mattingly compares Miguel Rojas’ defense to Omar Vizquel".
“You watch him take groundballs,” Mattingly said today of Rojas, “it’s like watching (Omar) Vizquel and some guys like that take ‘em. It’s just another level.”
"We don't think it's serious, but we need to find out," Mattingly said, calling Puig's reduced throwing "precautionary."
“It’s been a pretty exhilarating experience,” said the Bakersfield native of his first major league spring training camp. “Being around all of these major league players is an honor and I’m just glad to be here and learn from these guys.”

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *