Most MLB teams usually open stadiums for spring training games one to two hours before game time… but not the Dodgers. It appears to be that the baseball side of the Dodgers under Andrew Friedman and Company is in incredibly good hands. However, it is very apparent to me that whoever is in charge of the business side is incredibly detached from the fan experience… or they simply don’t care. When it comes to Marketing 101, the Dodgers are stuck at Marketing -10! This is not just my opinion but that of many others as well.
“Marketing 101” refers to the fundamental principles and basics of marketing, encompassing the core concepts of identifying customer needs, developing products to meet those needs, pricing them appropriately, promoting them effectively, and delivering them to the market, essentially covering the essential knowledge needed to begin a marketing strategy for a business.
The Dodgers don’t believe they need to do that. They think that if they just sign the players to multi-million dollar contracts and run TV, Radio, and Billboard Campaigns while giving mainstream media access, they will succeed. Well, maybe they should focus less on DEI and more on the fan experience. Let me say this and say it concisely: The morons at Camelback Ranch opened the doors for the 1.05 PM Games at precisely 12:30! Then, in 35 minutes, they had to get 12,000 plus people into the stadium. Of course, you can’t do that – every moron knows that… but they did it anyway. Many fans did not get in to see and hear the national anthem. They had little time to get Dodger gear at the shops and practically no time to get a beverage and Dodger Dog (which, by the way, are not nearly as good as the old “Farmer John” ones).
Here’s an idea: Go back to letting fans in an hour and a half to two hours before the game. Yeah, maybe your labor costs will increase, BUT SO WILL YOUR CONCESSION AND DODGER GEAR SALES! Who came up with this stupid idea? Come on, Man! Dodger Fans deserve better than this! The Dodgers have the following Departments:
- Baseball Operations
- Business Strategy
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Finance & Accounting
- Global Partnerships
- People Operations
- Information Technology
- Legal
- Marketing, Community Affairs & Broadcasting
- Communications & Public Relations
- Medical Staff
- Merchandise
- Planning & Development
- Game Day Personnel
- Stadium Operations & Security
- Ticket & Premium Sales & Service
- Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
But they lack a very important department: “The Department of Fan Experience.” Without fans, the Dodgers are nothing, and yet they take us for granted. Yes, I will be back there today, and this is the third game where our group of five will likely contribute at least $1,000 to the team in the form of seats, beer, food, and merchandise. I think we deserve better insofar as access to the stadium before games.
Dodger News & Dodger Dogs
- I have heard a lot about how Mookie should not play shortstop and that he does not throw properly. A shortstop typically throws more “over the top” than sidearm, using a sidearm motion primarily for quicker, shorter throws, like when making a double play feed to second base, while utilizing an overhand throw for longer, more powerful throws across the field or to relay to another infielder. A good shortstop will adjust their arm angle based on the play, utilizing both overhand and sidearm throws depending on the distance and urgency of the throw. Also, a good shortstop will throw how it is easiest for them to do so. Mookie will be fine. Worry about something important… like why the Dodgers won’t let you into Camelback Ranch until a half hour before the game. Did I mention that it is dumb?
- Ryan Ward looks like he has no business on a MLB Field. Sorry, Ryan, You have been a good soldier.
- I did not see enough of Nick Frasso, or Jared Karros to form an opinion, but I liked what I saw.
- OTOH, Edgardo Henriquez looked absolutely lost.
- Max Muncy is locked and loaded… but just keep him healthy!
- James Outman continues to look totally lost at the plate. It’s so sad to watch him!
- The Dodgers are just rolling bodies out there right now. They may not win a game this Spring…. and I don’t care!
I had a great time at the game with my old friend Tony Jackson. It was good to catch up with him. Then, last night, we had dinner with JayB and his lovely daughter ‘er wife at the Mellow Mushroom in Happy Valley. It was outstanding! JayB is also coming to the game today. I just missed Josh Rawitch (President of Cooperstown) and texted him and he texted back. I’m planning to go to Cooperstown this year… I have never been, and Josh is a friend. It should be spectacular!
What’s the real story about Kopech. I see people posting that he ‘may not’ be ready for opening day. But the last quote I saw from HIM, was the he definitely will NOT be ready
I would believe what he says.
Quality advice.
Frasso looked good. Velocity and movement were there. I think he’s part of this year’s plan eventually.
Frasso was at 93-94 (mostly 93) on his fastball, although he did hit 95 once and 96 once. It’s early and I have always been a fan.
Surprised to see Sheehan throwing… Isn’t his ETA after the all-star break?
Feduccia was impressive with the bat, not so much at throwing out runners. Royals stole 8 bags yesterday and drew 14 walks. Most of that is on the pitchers. Canha signed a minor league deal with the Brewers. Verdugo is still a free agent. I believe this is more about his character than his baseball skills. The kid can hit, but like some others, he had cement between his ears.
I thought he would outgrow his stupidity. Unfortunately, it intensified!
Henriquez issue has always been control. Remember he did soot up from A ball to MLB in one year.
I am not writing him off but like Kopp, his issues are control.
Heading to the game and then fling back to Indy tonight. The NFL scouting combine starts Thursday, but I am flying to NYC on Thursday to the Toy Fair where my wife is introducing her new game: https://showmeyourchef.com/
It’s at the Jacob K. Javits Center from March 1-4.
No rest for the wicked!
3:05 PM ET
Padres (93-69) (2-0)
Dodgers (98-64) (0-3)
SPBraden Nett R
0-0 .00 ERA
SP Dustin May R
0-0 .00 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
SS Mookie Betts R
2B Tommy Edman S
DH M. Conforto L
1B E. Hernandez R
C A. Barnes R
3B Miguel Rojas R
LF Chris Taylor R
CF Andy Pages R
RF Zyhir Hope
77° Wind 2 mph Out
They keep running Pages out to center field. At this point I believe it is painfully obvious that Pages is not comfortable out there. If Outman cannot hit, they would seem to need to trade for a pure CF. Kim and Edman do not hit enough with power for me at least to be considered outfielders.
I haven’t been to Camelback since the 2021 season. But I had a similar experience. My son and I were in AZ for a 4 day baseball tournament. We were able to catch three games while we were out there.
Camelback was by far the worst fan experience of the three. It was still “covid protocol” time when we were out there. Camelback had the most annoying and nonsensical policies. 3/4 of the seats were blocked off. So even if there were people seated around us they would be at least 8-10 feet away. However, when we first sat down there was nobody seated anywhere near us at the time an usher held up a sign (20 feet away) that said “put on your mask”. There wasn’t another person within 20 feet of us and we both had drinks in our hands. The staff seemed to only be there to enforce rules.
The team store would only let in a certain number of people at a time. So my son and I stood in a 200 foot social distance line for 30-40 minutes so he could buy a spring training hat. Other ST parks simply moved their team stores outside and had mobile POS systems. Nobody had to wait to buy anything. Most of the camelback concession stands were closed (due to the limited tickets sold) and had social distance lines that went all over the place so you couldn’t keep and eye on the game while waiting to buy a $16 beer.
I’m not trying to reignited any debates on all the covid stuff. But unlike other stadiums, it was obvious that whatever decisions that were made had little to no consideration of the fan experience. The other parks had mask policies and all but they had most concession stands open and even had some easyups around with beer and drinks on ice so the lines were very short. Not so in Camelback. And it was only in Canelback that staff was walking around with signs demanding you put in your mask when there wasn’t anybody around you.
I thought that was all just a “covid” thing. Apparently their lack of respect for fans runs much deeper.
It does indeed. It was worse today.
I’m not done with this.
Havent been to Camelback, well not for a game at least, so I cant speak to that.
However the Dodger Stadium fan experience is second to none.
Camelback Ranch is supposed to open 60 minutes prior to first pitch, so not sure what happened on the day you went.
Papa Cantella’s is a local LA company and better than Farmer John (at least the new Farmer John).
Farmer John sold out to a national distributor, Smithfield Foods in 2017, and is no where near the old stuff.
I’ll take Papa Cantellas now anyday of the week, support Local businesses.
Again sorry you had that experience but that’s not the Dodger experience as a whole. I’m sure it will get fixed.
Sorry to hear that.
Always had a great experience at the Ravine and will be there for the opening series vs Detroit.