People often ask how I am able to go to so many expensive Braves games. My answer. One can go to a game cheaper than two. The person I go with will want to eat at the game or not want to walk as far, or sit or stand in the nosebleed seats. Ceil really doesn't want to go. If I want to go, I have to go by myself or with someone else.
Parking: thanks to a friend I found free parking at an office complex. Sure it's well over a mile away, outside the perimeter of Braves parking lots. It's uphill going, and on hot days you can work up a sweat. I need the exercise. Walking back after the game is downhill and much cooler.
There are shopping centers on Cobb Parkway as well, like the Olive Garden. Or across the Perimeter on the other side of the Galleria, near Chickfila and Chuys. These are further from my house.
Tickets: no fees if you buy at the box office. Otherwise an app like StubHub or Gametime. One ticket ain't too bad, but two or more can add up. The people who complain about ticket prices are the ones wanting to see weekend games against the Nats, Phils, Cubs, or Dodgers. Weekdays against the Royals are cheaper.
GasSouth customers can get two free Braves tickets a year.
Traffic: NOTE – traffic in Atlanta is bad, especially at rush hour at 75 & 285 where the park is located. That's why I go early. Not a problem on Saturdays and Sundays, though that's when everyone goes early. Shoot if you're breaking down and going to the game, you might as well arrive early and stay late. How many games do you actually attend?
Pregame parade: once gates open at 5;30 a fun way to pass the time before the game is to line up for the pregame parade. You have to wait in the bowels of the stadium. Gives you time to cool off in the shade. Then you get to walk down and see the inner workings of the stadium, then out and around the field. Cool little adventure. And free.
Concessions are expensive. Eat before or after the game. Heck I wouldn't starve to death if I skipped a meal. If I score the company tickets and take people to the game, it's hard to stay under the $10.00 per ticket concessions allotment. But I try. An okay burger and fries are ten bucks. By now I'm friends with the customer service employees handing out the free designated driver Cokes.
Souvenirs are even more expensive. Hardly anything for sale under $40.00. Check the sale rack. Girl got a pair of Stance Braves Star Wars socks for five bucks. Once in a blue moon I'll score last minute tickets with concessions money on them. If no one can go I'll cash in the $40.00 on an item at the store. A cap or shirt, or Stance socks.
Be sure to pay attention during the RaceTrac inning. If a Brave hits a home run you get $5.00 off food and drink the next day at RaceTrac. Find a BOGO and you might get five free drinks.
Bobbleheads can be a way to pay for your outing. After collecting over two hundred, I don't need more. But might as well go to the bobblehead game and sell it for $30-$40. Buy one ticket. Got a friend who often gives me their bobble, plus I can get another from the work season ticket account. At Gwinnett the tickets are cheap enough to go in and out two or three times. Try to sell one or two before the game – that's when they're worth the most. Selling bobbles have paid for all my Braves/Stripers outings for the past few years. For me going to games is pretty much free.
Some crazies put the pedal to the metal and presale 20 bobbles. Then the pressure's on to get that many. Most stand near the gate an offer five bucks to fans how might be willing to sell, or outside after the game as fans leave. No way I could do that. I'm a small time operator compared to them.
Example: July 21 buy one $13.00 ticket, including fees. Park for free. Free Coke. Obtain two Braves giveaway backpacks and a season ticket bobblehead. Sold the extra backpack for $22.00 after shipping. Should be able to sell the bobble for a similar price. $79.00 of value. Came out $31.00 ahead.
July 23 buy one $11.00 ticket at the box office. Park for free. Free Coke. Obtain three bobbles. Sell all three for $86.00 after shipping. $119.00 of value, come out $75.00 ahead.
Not every game can be so lucrative: June 18 with the Hurts: David covered the four tickets, so I paid the $20.00 parking, my $11.00 BBQ, and my $5.00 souvenir Coke – a $36.00 evening. Worth it for the fun time and good company. I just can't afford to do that several times.
I love getting to the park early, even if I have to wait for the gates to open. My journey to the park begins at 2:45 and I'd been inside the stadium since five, so by nine I've been there four hours. I enjoy the pregame festivities as well: batting practice, seeing the players stretch and sprint, the battery walking in from the bullpen, the national anthem and introductions. The first pitch.
At football and basketball games I would never leave early. Or any place I rarely get to. Braves and Gwinnett are the only places I leave early, especially weeknights. Started leaving early when I was taking the kids to games. Now the long walk back to the car also factors in.
See you at the park!
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