After a season where the Padres were one of the worst teams in baseball, and where their season ticket numbers dropped considerably, the Padres are figuring it out and catching on.  This Bill Center piece describes exactly what needs to happen for about a half a dozen teams out there.  The Padres are asking and listening to their fans about what the team could do to make themselves more attractive.  The answer?  Lower parking prices, lower some food prices.  Give some benefits to the season ticket holders that the regular ticket holder doesn’t get.

What’s the advantage for a season ticket holder to give you their money before Christmas?  There isn’t much of one, other than guaranteed seats.  Getting seats at Petco wasn’t that hard last year.  In 2010 though, the team is allowing its season ticket holders into the ballpark early, to see the home team take batting practice.  Doesn’t that make help make it worth it?  I think its a start.  Additionally, the parking prices for season ticket holders are being lowered more than the parking prices for day of game participants.

Finally, a team is figuring out that loyalty should be rewarded instead of being taxed.  These rewards are the keys to making baseball the number one sport again.  Those who kept their season ticket last year in San Diego may never give them up.  They are among the teams most loyal.  Now, there is some cache to having that be moniker.  Most everywhere else, being the most loyal is for suckers.  Why would anyone want to be that?

Are you other owners listening?