The only thing better than baseball is free baseball. The Oakland Athletics are making that a reality next year.
On April 17, 2018, the Oakland Athletics will celebrate their 50th season in California. They had spent the first 54 years of their existence in Philadelphia before a brief stopover in Kansas City en route to moving all the way to the Pacific coast. It did not take long for the A’s, a perennial doormat in the midwest, to become a juggernaut.
With that upcoming 50th anniversary, the A’s were looking for a way to make it truly special for their fans. They have done so in a thoroughly unexpected way, as the team plans on opening the gates at no charge. Yes, that will be a free game for A’s fans on April 17.
Interesting: The #Athletics will host a game FREE for all fans April 17, 2018 to commemorate 50th anniversary of first game in Oakland
— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) September 12, 2017
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This is a part of the Athletics focus on a more fan friendly atmosphere since Dave Kaval and John Fisher in charge. They removed the tarps from the top of the Coliseum earlier this year, and held a rally to thank Oakland fans after it was announced that the Raiders would bolt for Las Vegas. The team has worked hard to find a location for a new stadium in the Oakland area. They lowered beer prices for the 2017 campaign. And, fan favorite Jose Canseco was brought back into the fold as an announcer.
Moves like this are going to help the A’s in their goal to rebuild their team, and their brand. Even if they miss out on ticket sales for a day, the type of good will they will have with the fanbase cannot be discounted. And, by allowing people into the park for free, they may well find a few new fans along the way.
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The Oakland Athletics have done a great job in reaching out to the fanbase and improving relations. Having a free game for their 50th anniversary in Oakland is another master stroke.