Indians slash concession prices at Progressive

Eric Fisher of the SportsBusiness Journal tweeted today that the Cleveland Indians will be slashing prices on concessions at their ballpark this year, dropping hot dogs to $3 and beers to $4, among other items.

Fisher said the Indians were inspired to lower prices after research showed that the cost of concessions was a major inhibitor towards purchasing tickets so they are knocking a buck-fifty off the foamy sticker price. Meanwhile, heading into the 2012 season, at $7 a cup, the Minnesota Twins had the third-highest beer prices among all MLB teams - only the Marlins, Phillies and Tigers charged more for their brew on average.

With the Twins projecting another decrease in attendance, wouldn't following the Indians' suit make sense?

UPDATE: Twins president Dave St. Peter responded to the post on this pricing change and tweeted that the team has implemented a discount of 10% off concessions to all season ticket holders this year.

We'll have to wait and see how it works for Cleveland. I'd certainly be more likely to buy a ticket to a Twins game if the concession prices were lower.

You would think they could sell a lot more beer at $5 a bottle rather than $7.75 or whatever they are charging now. They would certainly create some goodwill among fans with a move like.

Last year the Twins and Indians were seperated by 4 wins. I think it is fair to say that if the Indians finish more than 4 games ahead of the Twins in 2013, we can conclude that lowering the beer prices was a major factor and the Twins would need to do so in 2014 to once again compete in the AL Central.

Seriously though, lower the prices 10% for the season ticket holders? Does St. Peter really think that's going to drive up demand for season ticket packages? Even if it did, the Tribe cut beer prices by 28%; the beer prices in Cleveland will be 37% cheaper than it will be for Twins season ticket holders, way to keep up. Also thanks buddy, nice to know the rest of us individual ticket buyers are still ripe for gouging.

Way to be proactive! They sure do lead from the front!

I'd have to buy season tickets? No thanks.

I think I'd rather drive out to Cleveland to see a game.

Yeah, does St. Peter not get that they lowered their prices for everyone, not just the season ticket holders? Talk about an insult to your average fan going to a game.

The sad thing is that here in Des Moines, the beer prices are about as much to see a AAA team as they are going to a Twins game. Talk about a ripoff.

Great move by the Indians! Concession prices really are a big deterrent, and probably even moreso if you're thinking of taking the whole family. I don't think the idea of concession prices has ever personally kept me from attending a game, but it is sending a good message.

I find those numbers surprising that the Twins beer prices were that expensive... I went to a game at Rogers Centre and paid $10 for a Labatt once, and $10 at Yankee Stadium for a Budweiser. You can get a big Surly for under $10 at Target Field.

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Originally Posted by minn55441

You would think they could sell a lot more beer at $5 a bottle rather than $7.75 or whatever they are charging now. They would certainly create some goodwill among fans with a move like.

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Financially speaking yes, but practically speaking - sometimes you don't want to maximize your beer sales to their fullest. That could lead directly to greater issues at your ballpark that could come with all kinds of tangible and intangible costs.

Concession prices have never stopped me from attending a game but they have stopped me from buying actual concessions.

You'd think having a brewery in their own back yard would lead to lower prices right off the bat, but then again I have the Schell Brewery right in my own home town and prices here are more expensive than they anywhere in the state for that particular brew.

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Originally Posted by Riverbrian

Concession prices have never stopped me from attending a game but they have stopped me from buying actual concessions.

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The Twins have stopped me from attending a game but they haven't stopped me from buying beer.

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Originally Posted by nicksaviking

Last year the Twins and Indians were seperated by 4 wins. I think it is fair to say that if the Indians finish more than 4 games ahead of the Twins in 2013, we can conclude that lowering the beer prices was a major factor and the Twins would need to do so in 2014 to once again compete in the AL Central.

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I hear there are some very good beers at Cedar Rapids and New Britain this year, so by 2015 the concessions landscape at Target Field might be quite a lot different. Proper fermentation takes time, my brother.

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Originally Posted by TheLeviathan

Financially speaking yes, but practically speaking - sometimes you don't want to maximize your beer sales to their fullest. That could lead directly to greater issues at your ballpark that could come with all kinds of tangible and intangible costs.

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I don't know if five dollars is low enough to cause the kind of problems you mean. Maybe I'm just too cheap.

I also wonder if Cleveland's cups o' beer will be small in 2013 than they were in 2012.

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Originally Posted by notoriousgod71

The Twins have stopped me from attending a game but they haven't stopped me from buying beer.

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Beer has stopped me from finding the ballpark. Oh dear, are we running afoul of the posting guidelines, yet again?

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Originally Posted by ashburyjohn

I don't know if five dollars is low enough to cause the kind of problems you mean. Maybe I'm just too cheap.

I also wonder if Cleveland's cups o' beer will be small in 2013 than they were in 2012.

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Yeah, I'm not claiming to know or anything. Just have to imagine if they sold beers for $3, it would cause all sorts of other problems.

That's cheaper than the Twins' ST beer and soda prices; could be cheaper than the Indians' ST beer and soda prices as well. And definitely cheaper than my local AAA team's prices. Those are at the AA level.

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Originally Posted by Riverbrian

Concession prices have never stopped me from attending a game but they have stopped me from buying actual concessions.

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I agree. I rarely buy ballpark concessions unless we happen to be there for a $1 hot dog day or something like that. We normally go out to eat before, drink water during the game, and bring granola bars in for snacks. The kids know the deal.

I got tossed out for bringing my own food to the(game)... The concession prices were outrageous besides... I haven't had a good barbecue in a long time -- Stephen Wright

I eat before the game and only get a drink if I need to at the game. Carrying snacks in works also. I find it hard to applaud Cleveland for anything. They lowered the price of a hot dog from an outrageous $4 to a still outrageous $3. it's a fricken hot dog.

Bring your own peanuts, and $4 beers? Take me out to the ballgame!