The 300 Level

I don't know what they're putting in the Dollar Dogs, but it sounds like the stands are getting increasingly rowdy when the Phillies have a promotion aimed at younger fans, like College Night and Dollar Dog Night. There were a number of reported incidents again during yesterday's game against the D-Back's, including fights, thrown beers and dogs, and more ejections. Some fans are even claiming that the 300 level at CBP is rapidly becoming the equivalent of the 700 level at the Vet, a place to be avoided if you're only looking for a nice calm night out at the park.

What's been your experience? Do you think the organization needs to do more to curb the over-enthusiasm, such as beefing up security or doing away with these promotions, or are things fine as is? Ejections are much higher on these nights, but they're also a lot of fun and provide an energetic environment to experience a game. Attendance is also better, particularly with the higher numbers of walk-ups on weekdays. The times I've been up there, it hasn't seemed all that bad, but maybe I just haven't seen the worst of it.

Farm Animal Night at CBP, originally uploaded by stksave27.

   

Comments

[Walklett]

I too wonder what they put in the Dollar Dogs. You can buy a whole pack of hot dogs for a dollar, yet they continue to be one of the most popular promotions at CBP. And for some strange reason Dollar Dogs taste just a little bit better than regular dogs and travel a little bit farther when thrown.

Dollar Dogs + Beer = Fisticuffs

[Billy G]

Congrats to Jimmy for the pic!!!!

As for the dogs...well, yeah, i dunno about buyin a whole PACK for a buck...but when they charge like 4.50 for a dog at the park, people get pretty darn excited to come pay ONE DOLLAR!!!!

Idiots will be idiots, whether there are cheap dogs or not..they are just more likely to come out when the dogs are cheap, and then they'll spend 8 bucks a beer... ha ha, guess the dog savings have to go somewhere!!!!

[meech.one]

I went last night. Got there around 5:30 at the Jetro parking lot off of Darien St. (left of The Linc) and it was like a high school kegger. Not that there's anything wrong with high school keggers, but you can't expect a 15,000 drunk high schoolers not to act a fool when they've been drinking all day. These 4 kids parked next to us -- must've been 17 at the most -- were playing flip cup getting HAMMERED for the entire hour we were sitting there. Then I saw one of the ducds sitting in the back of his (parents) truck fingering the shit outta this girl. I hope she was legal, cause I was watching the whole time. Most of them are pretty annoying during the game, though. I felt bad for fans who went with their families.

Needless to say, I can't wait for the next "College" night.

[Matt P]

now there's a Goosebumps moment, Meech...

[Malcolm]

Remember, though, last night was the end of Memorial Day, a day traditionally known for no school, plenty of alcohol and food and many family parties. Plus the hot weather and a finally contending team.

It's not all the hot dogs fault. I was in Philly Sunday and was supposed to return to Connecticut that night, and I almost decided to stay around Monday mainly so I can attend Monday night's game, get some dollar dogs, watch a good team play another good team on Memorial Day.

When they schedule Dollar Dog night the same night as a national holiday known for parties, you're going to expect trouble.

[Joe Manning]

I like the rowdy crowds.

Maybe if I had a wife and a kid I'd feel differently, but for now I don't.

Young drunk kids can be annoying, but if you are really that annoyed with any particular person or group - either give them a piece of your mind, or go get security to give them a piece of theirs.

[Mark]

Thats me in the bottom right corner of that picture in the Howard jersey. Unreal night, so many people were out of hand. I got blamed for throwing a beer by some drunk guy who wanted to fight me then. Which leaded to my friends defending me from this guy which then led to them all getting kicked out while I got to stay and watch the comeback. I can't imagine college nights sticking around, but dollar dogs have to stay, such a classic promotion.

[Stephen]

A few years ago I was at a dollar dog night sitting in section 325. One of the guys I was with brought in beer and started throwing his hot dog wrappers which led to his ejection. Of the course of the night everyone in my section but myself and two of my friends had been ejected.

[T]

Billy G for post of the year. And I fully endorse college and dollar dog night we would lose all reputation as a tough crowd without giving a reason for the patented assholes who don't actually care about the sport to show up.

[Jim tryon]

I think it was close to getting out of hand. One fight in 310 ended up becoming at least a half dozen ejections across the right field sections and first level fans throwing bottles back up at the madness. Im all for keeping the Philly rep going, but save it for the Mets fans who show up. The Phillies whould be smart enough to realize that 300 level prices and cheap dogs will attract a young crowd and maybe add in one section like the Flyers for a family section. No alcohol sales allowed, young person friendly. Keep the kiddies on one side and the rowdies on the other. Im willing to grab seats up there just to get closer pics for the 700 level...

[Matt P]

that's some real nice work with the lens as usual, jim.

[Anthony]

Hey I was there with Jimmy last night and the worst of it was when one fan involved in a fight was thrown down atleast 7 - 10 rows during an altercation. I don't feel bad for the idiot involved in the fight as it shouldn't come to their surprise that it is dangerous to fight in an elevated area. But I did feel bad for the people who were sitting below which he landed on upon tumbling downward the 310 section.

I did however enjoy the mini fireworks show someone decided to give the 41,000 in attendence.

[ForTheShorties]

JIMMAY! JIMMAY!

Sorry, couldn't resist. Haven't been to a dollar-dog night as i'm stuck down in DC, but I'm going to try to make one as I think some of the best times at the Bank (and the Linc) are laughing at the idiots.

[Chris]

First of all, great photo Jim! I was down there Monday night with my buddy and was stuck by how young the crowd is.

I've had this thought a few other times, but what has happened in the last few years is that CBP has become a destination for the young fun crowd. There were scores of young ladies who were out at the park as their evening recreation instead of going to a bar. That NEVER happened at the Vet.

Basically you've got a 40,000 seat bar. Stuff's gonna happen. I saw the one fight and it wasn't that huge in compariosn to some others i have seen in this city. Basically I think it's a great park with a fun team and lots of different peopel are comfortable there.

[A.J. Daulerio]

I totally just had this conversation yesterday about 300 being the new 700. The last three innings of Monday night were just a barrage of thrown beer, taunting, and half-hearted shove fests. (Bonus points for the one dude who got rolled down the stairs.) I totally missed Dobbs' homer because I was transfixed by the brewing soccer riot and the constant parade of blue polo shirts charging into the melees.

But is it honestly Dollar Dog Night? Since when is a discount on cased meats cause for such foolishness? I just think the fanbase is finally getting settled into the new digs and releasing those upper deck demons that have laid dormant since the Citizen's Bankification. Honestly, I'm happy the chaos is back. And next time, I'm hopeful that the jackals waylay "Ruiz's Raisins". Whither the Chen Pen when you need it most.

2 1/2 out of the wildcard forever,

aj daulerio

[JtotheE]

People getting drunk at baseball games?? Now I have heard everything.

[meech.one]

I'm still eagerly awaiting the return of "Roa's Boats"

Where have you gone, Joe Roa?

[Pete K.]

I enjoy reading the 700 Level as it alluded to the infamous Vet level of fans. I have been part of it and it was always known, once kids came along that you venture there at your own risk. I would not take mine there.

However, this has no place at Phillies games. Anyone on this blog who grew up near the city can remember their father taking them to a Phillies game or the family outing to The Vet. I can't imagine anyone with kids in tow looking forward to the chance of a fight breaking out, or a drunk "adult" idiot being thrown and landing on your six year old, or your kid getting hit with a mustard soaked half of a hot dog thrown from above.

[Jim T]

I'm torn. I would love to see the intensity of those seats first hand, but with my love of my camera equipment... I think I'd be the guy being tossed over the edge. It's great that the fan base is coming out in droves and hopefully intimidating the opposing team (the really close fences don't) but there is a difference between rabid fans and disrescpful FARM ANIMALS. Thanks to Anthony for the word of the night. Jeer at Mets fans in attendace (and dont bring your friends if they are), boo the little brother of a draft pick gone bad (JD's little bro) or and did anyone see this? Refuse the opposing bat boy when he asks for a bat that went into the crowd... Someone is obnoxious, get security. Tell them to stop. If confronted defend yourself. There were a few people up there looking for 15 minutes of fame, wow just try to get on a reality TV show. Sleep with your roomate. Get famous eating rats on an island. Throwing a hotdog onto the right field grass in a 450 million dollar staduim, just classless. Now if you managed to hit it into the bullpen... now thats funny.

[johndewar]

I think it's neat that CBP has attracted a younger crowd. Of course a few folks are going to have too much to drink and OF COURSE you're going to get a few idiots. It simply reflects reality.

[Fat Ted]

It definately gets out of hand up there for those games. I think its funny though, no one is getting seriously injured, lots of people get fairly and unfairly kicked out.
The night Ruiz hit that walk off home run was a dollar dog night and I was there, it was an amazing night. If you have a family or don't like seeing drunk college kids, then yes don't go up to those seats, otherwise enjoy the enthusiastic crowd and have fun.

[Jim Kane]

Ive now been to three games this year and have still not made it into the park. As for the promotions it just seems to bring a better crowd. You know south phillies finest.

[CC]

We were at the Jackie Robinson make up game 4/23 and the same thing happened. It was dollar dog night. Kinda entertaining, but crazy stuff. Dumb kid lunged at a cop...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFbf4EpIvGo

[TMC]

The atmosphere doesn't bother me so much, because I don't have children, but it's definitely a wilder place up there on the promotional nights. College/high school kids love cheap food, and they love excuses to drink-- dollar dog night gives them both. Like someone else said, i think it's more about the 16-17 year olds who go and get hammered in the lots beforehand, rather than the 21+ crowd. Bunch of amateurs, most of them still learning how to handle their booze.

[champ]

CC hit it right on the head. I've been to a bunch of the College Nights and $1 Dog nights, and it's the drinking in the parking lots (miss those days) by the 18-19 year olds that causes the rowdiness. I love it though, brings back the Vet spirit. The family fans just have to know where to avoid on those nights I guess.