Tell it to the Cubs

The Cubs are running a program for season ticket holders called "Tell it to the Cubs". They sent out an invitation to the season ticket holders asking them if they wanted to participate in a question and answer lunch at Wrigley. As you can imagine the response was high. The first lunch was held back in June. I was not invited to that one. I was, however, privileged to be invited to the last one held yesterday, Wednesday July 23. It's always fun to be in Wrigley on a non-game day.

It was a beautiful day. We were led into the park and herded towards an open concession stand for lunch. They served a modified menu of hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, malt cups, and drinks. I grabbed a hotdog, chips, and a small Pepsi. They had us sitting in sections 130/131. We were in the shade the speakers were in the sun.

It was an open mic-question and answer session. Cranne Kenney introduced others joining him, then lead the discussion after a short welcome. It was interesting to hear what was on people's minds. There were 5 year ticket holders all the way to 35 year ticket holder. Even the owner of the McDonald's across the way was there as a season ticket holder. As each person stepped up to the mic, they gave their name, number of years as a ticket holders, and their section. They weren't told to do this the first person did, so everyone else did.

So what was on the minds of the ticket holders? History of the ballpark was a hot topic, a hall of fame in the new triangle building answered most of those questions. Future upgrades and improvements to the ball park, the triangle building again was a common response. The triangle building was proposed back in 2004/5. It would hold parking, a hall of fame, offices, restaurants, and shops. it would take some of the current offices out of the park to make room for improvements and expansion in the park. The updating the bathrooms and controlling the flow of the traffic in the bathroom was a very hot topic. A few suggestions for special promotions for season ticket holders and other regular attenders were given, including a swipe card for various uses. These were welcomed suggestions and even received a couple "watch your mail this off-season for details" responses. Questions on landmark status, traffic/police/security around the park, sound system, customer relation service, new owner process, replays on the tvs, and upgrading/swapping season tickets. Several people also started out by giving "props" for the way that they handled the up-grades to the park over the years - bleachers, press boxes, lights, and suites. There were a few questions regarding ticket prices and revenue but they were all answered with bringing in a team to compete and win a world series. One suggestion for more revenue would be showing away post-season games in Wrigley. There were a few on-the-spot poles by a show of hands. One was if a jumbo screen could be put up separate from the scoreboard, would you approve? Another was should the "L" flag be raised at the end of game to announce the Cubs lost that game?

All and all it was a very interesting session lasting just over two hours. On our way out we were given a bag of promotion "leftovers". A min-baseball bat, a insulated mug (looking about 20 years old), a webkinz, a build-a-bear cubby, and a Cubs uniform for an American Girl doll.