With the Washington Nationals slated to move into their new stadium next season, and promises that current season ticket plan holders will get priority for season tickets for their new stadium, myself and a few friends chipped in together to order a 41-game ticket package for this season.
Personally, I don't mind RFK stadium that much, though I can see plenty of areas for improvement (mostly in the concession areas, and in the restroom areas). I just don't mind the issues at RFK that much while others that I know have complained a bit about how bad that stadium is and how they just can't wait for the new stadium to be built.
Admittedly, I was pretty impatient with the powers in Major League Baseball (MLB) while they drug their heals getting ownership for the team. Even when they selected the new owners I was (and remain) leery that the new owners were going to be the best choice for the team.
Once the new owners took over the team they promised that they'd make improvements across the board. There was a lot of fanfare about the "grand re-opening" of RFK Stadium in the middle of the season last year. The new owners had promised that they'd improve the concession areas and spruce the place up even more. All in an effort to convince the fans that a new sherriff was in town and things were going to be better than ever.
Unfortunately an area that seems to need attention from these new owners is their season ticket process. A process that for the 2nd time in the past 3 years (if not a full 3 for 3) is broken down and leaving season ticket purchasers waiting for the tickets that they purchased until right before opening day. As an example, I placed the order for the tickets for myself and my friends back in late January. Here 2 months later I'm still waiting for those tickets, or really even for a confirmation that the tickets were ordered. (I have confirmation from my credit card statement, but never got an e-mail or other acknowledgement of the order from the team).
Finally, today (March 21, 2007) there's a new message on the Nationals official web site noting that season ticket orders are being shipped out and that purchasers should receive an e-mail noting that the tracking information for the tickets soon, if not already. Additionally they say that everyone should have their tickets by close of business on Monday, March 26, 2007. At least they left a week worth of buffer in there in case tickets get lost along the way.
New ownership, but same old Nats. Hopefully they'll get smacked in the head with this issue and even more hopefully they'll rattle the cages of the minions that have apparently failed in the customer service areas for this issue. If they actually want to look like a professional organization, it's the least they can do.
