Jim Crane, who just took over the team, is apparently making a huge push to re-brand the entire organization. Rumors are that the Astros may be a dying brand and something new is in the works. He's also done something that's really awesome... and that's lower the cost of the baseball experience. From tickets, to beer, to food... he's made a ton of changes. Copied and pasted below are some items from the article. Good start in Houston for Jim.
The article is at www.astros.com
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Tickets
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The Astros reduced the price of seats in the Field and Club levels and the Outfield Deck. Seats in Field Box II (section 132, rows 11-40 and all of sections 133-134) are now priced at $29, down from $41 in 2011. The new Power Club (sections 233-236) in the Club Level offers tickets for $35 that includes a $15 credit for food, beverage and retail items. Those seats were $46 in 2011 with no food credit.
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The Outfield Deck tickets are now $5 for adults and $1 for kids ages 3-14. In 2011, adult tickets were $7. With this reduction, a family of four with young children can attend a game for $12.
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As a special thank you for their loyalty and commitment, the Astros will also issue five-percent rebates to full-season and 27-game-plan season-ticket accounts in 2012 who have renewed their tickets by Jan. 31. Those rebates will be distributed in the form of a gift card that can be used to purchase food, merchandise or individual game tickets at Minute Maid Park.
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Beer
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The Astros have expanded their $5 beer special to include every permanent concession stand and permanent bar at Minute Maid Park where domestic beer is sold. This beer, in a 14-ounce cup, now will be available at 35 locations throughout the ballpark.
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Outside food and beverages
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Fans are now allowed to bring food and water into Minute Maid Park for games. Food must be transported in a small, clear (see-through) plastic bag, and water must be in a sealed, plastic bottle, being one liter or less in size. One bottle of water per person is allowed.
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The Astros will also continue to offer several of the popular ticket specials that have been available in recent years:
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Price Matters Days presented by H-E-B: This offer, which is available for every Monday through Thursday Astros game, includes one View Deck II ticket, one hot dog, a bag of H-E-B chips and one soda for $10, which represents a savings of over 50 percent. Also, for $10 more, fans can purchase a lower level seat in the Bullpen Boxes.
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All You Can Eat: For $30, this deal includes a Mezzanine game ticket and unlimited hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, nachos, soda and water and is available for every home game. Groups of 20 or more are eligible to purchase this package for $25.
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Coca-Cola Value Zone: This offer, which is available for every Friday, Saturday and Sunday game, includes a Mezzanine ticket and Astros cap, as well as a hot dog and Coke product beverage for $20.
</p>
POWERADE Double Play Tuesdays: This offer, which is available every Tuesday, features two Outfield Deck tickets for $2. Additionally, fans can now also purchase two Field Box II tickets for $40, which is new in 2012.
</p>
9-Inning Lunch Break: This package is offered for weekday, 1:05 p.m. CT games and includes a Field Box ticket and $20 in Minute Maid Park food and beverage vouchers, which is a $61 value, for $45, a savings of $16 per ticket.
</p>
Dynamic Pricing: This offer is available for every Astros home game for select seats. Prices, which fluctuate based on demand, can represent up to 50 percent in savings per ticket.
</p>
Special Fundraising Pricing: Charities and community organizations can earn up to $10 per ticket by selling discounted Astros tickets.
</p>
Group Ticket Specials: With the Astros Group Ticket Program, groups of 20 or more can purchase discounted tickets. Group discounts can be as high as 50 percent per ticket, depending on the size of the group. </p>
The article is at www.astros.com
</p>
Tickets
</p>
The Astros reduced the price of seats in the Field and Club levels and the Outfield Deck. Seats in Field Box II (section 132, rows 11-40 and all of sections 133-134) are now priced at $29, down from $41 in 2011. The new Power Club (sections 233-236) in the Club Level offers tickets for $35 that includes a $15 credit for food, beverage and retail items. Those seats were $46 in 2011 with no food credit.
</p>
The Outfield Deck tickets are now $5 for adults and $1 for kids ages 3-14. In 2011, adult tickets were $7. With this reduction, a family of four with young children can attend a game for $12.
</p>
As a special thank you for their loyalty and commitment, the Astros will also issue five-percent rebates to full-season and 27-game-plan season-ticket accounts in 2012 who have renewed their tickets by Jan. 31. Those rebates will be distributed in the form of a gift card that can be used to purchase food, merchandise or individual game tickets at Minute Maid Park.
</p>
Beer
</p>
The Astros have expanded their $5 beer special to include every permanent concession stand and permanent bar at Minute Maid Park where domestic beer is sold. This beer, in a 14-ounce cup, now will be available at 35 locations throughout the ballpark.
</p>
Outside food and beverages
</p>
Fans are now allowed to bring food and water into Minute Maid Park for games. Food must be transported in a small, clear (see-through) plastic bag, and water must be in a sealed, plastic bottle, being one liter or less in size. One bottle of water per person is allowed.
</p>
The Astros will also continue to offer several of the popular ticket specials that have been available in recent years:
</p>
Price Matters Days presented by H-E-B: This offer, which is available for every Monday through Thursday Astros game, includes one View Deck II ticket, one hot dog, a bag of H-E-B chips and one soda for $10, which represents a savings of over 50 percent. Also, for $10 more, fans can purchase a lower level seat in the Bullpen Boxes.
</p>
All You Can Eat: For $30, this deal includes a Mezzanine game ticket and unlimited hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, nachos, soda and water and is available for every home game. Groups of 20 or more are eligible to purchase this package for $25.
</p>
Coca-Cola Value Zone: This offer, which is available for every Friday, Saturday and Sunday game, includes a Mezzanine ticket and Astros cap, as well as a hot dog and Coke product beverage for $20.
</p>
POWERADE Double Play Tuesdays: This offer, which is available every Tuesday, features two Outfield Deck tickets for $2. Additionally, fans can now also purchase two Field Box II tickets for $40, which is new in 2012.
</p>
9-Inning Lunch Break: This package is offered for weekday, 1:05 p.m. CT games and includes a Field Box ticket and $20 in Minute Maid Park food and beverage vouchers, which is a $61 value, for $45, a savings of $16 per ticket.
</p>
Dynamic Pricing: This offer is available for every Astros home game for select seats. Prices, which fluctuate based on demand, can represent up to 50 percent in savings per ticket.
</p>
Special Fundraising Pricing: Charities and community organizations can earn up to $10 per ticket by selling discounted Astros tickets.
</p>
Group Ticket Specials: With the Astros Group Ticket Program, groups of 20 or more can purchase discounted tickets. Group discounts can be as high as 50 percent per ticket, depending on the size of the group. </p>