In normal years, the Cubs would put single-game Spring Training tickets on sale in early January.
This, clearly, is not a normal year, not with the MLB owners’ lockout looming on Dec. 1.
The Cubs have announced that Spring Training tickets will go on sale Friday, Nov. 13, with a presale for spring season ticket holders the previous day.
This appears to be an attempt to try to get some spring ticket money in hand before the lockout. I can’t imagine many people wanting to buy spring tickets in January
if the lockout is still ongoing — which is likely — not knowing whether games will be rescheduled or even cancelled.
The Cubs aren’t the only team doing this, either.
The Phillies are putting their spring tickets on sale Thursday, Nov. 19.
And if you’re really interested in getting these games far in advance, tickets for Athletics spring games and Blue Jays spring games are already on sale.
In addition, the Cubs are putting weekend passes for the annual Cubs Convention on sale at 12 noon today, with a presale for season ticket holders at 10 a.m. CT. In the press release announcing this sale, the Cubs said that fans “can attend panels, autograph sessions and meet and greets featuring current and former Cubs players.”
Obviously, if the lockout is ongoing at CubsCon time (Jan. 15-17), no current Cubs players will be able to attend. At this time it appears the Cubs are going ahead with plans to hold CubsCon even if that’s the case. Will fans still overcrowd the Sheraton Grand if it’s only broadcasters, former Cubs and minor leaguers not on the 40-man roster in attendance? (And a reminder to anyone planning on going — read that linked article to remind yourselves of some of the issues regarding overcrowding last year.)
Anyway, all of this has to be considered up in the air because of the upcoming lockout. As always, we await developments.
