Well, the masses have spoken, and who am I to go against the crowd. By an overwhelming margin of victory, it looks like AN Day V will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2008 against the Angels.
Details will follow, but consider this your 'save the date'. Unfortunately, other A's fans think this is a neat day to come to the ballpark too, so the BBQ plazas we've been using for the last few years are all full.
BUT since this is a night game (6:05 start), this leaves us a wide margin of time to pull together something truly unique (that is becoming scarce in Major League Baseball parks): the tailgate.
Having a tailgate before the game would allow AN to meet together before the game starts, and would also allow for a wide range of participants in this activity, including season ticket holders with previously purchased tickets. If you do not yet have a ticket for this game, I'm going to get them at a great group rate, so please buy with the group if you are at all able to (I'm aiming for about $20), but even if you don't sit with the group, you are welcome at the tailgate.
I will need help, though, so if you are an Oakland regular interested in this event, I'm looking at you. I need ideas on how to pull this off; I'm looking for grills, and whatever else we might need.
I think the easiest way to arrrange this to everyone's liking will be to have people bring their own tailgate food items (unless someone wants to pull off a Costco run) and if you are from out of town, we will find you an Oakland native who you can pay for food.
This is something new and different, and I'm interested in any and all feedback. I'm excited; it's certainly the best match-up we will see, and I think it will be great fun. If you want to help, please post in this thread, or email me at baseballgirl1976 at hotmail.
Thank you in advance-let's get this on the books!
1 recs | 106 comments
what's the point in recommending front-page posts?
ArakSOT - May 12, 2008
Why, sucking up, of course! ;)
Poppy - May 12, 2008
i'm flagging it as a counterbalance
xbhaskarx - May 12, 2008
But what about?
baseballgirl – you always have the fans interests at heart and I like the tailgate plan…however, will we have the opportunity to chat with key A’s management this year? And how would that happen?
And I would be happy to help with food items.
BaseballDiva - May 12, 2008
Realistically
it probably won’t happen. I can’t see us getting the management types to come out to the parking lot, but who knows? Stranger things have happened.
Tyler Bleszinski - May 13, 2008
how about Lew?
He seems to think the Coliseum is so awful, the parking lot might seem like an upgrade.
monkeyball - May 14, 2008
If Lew is coming
Im bringing my beer bong. Shit lets get serious here. We can all chip in and get a keg for Lew to do keg stands on. Good times my friends, good times.
asfaninpismobeach - May 14, 2008
Kid friendly?
How many AN folks have youthful compatriots that would attend?
MobiusKlein - May 12, 2008
as in children
MobiusKlein - May 12, 2008
I'll bring my daughter
JediLeroy - May 12, 2008
How old's your daughter?
I have a 15 year old who loves the A’s (probably knows them better than I do) Is it OK to bring her? Are there going to be any other teenagers around?
Athletics1433 - May 13, 2008
I'm definitely going to try to make it...
...if I can JUST pass my “Sideburns & Combovers” final. Pleeeeease let me pass that!!!! I really want to meet everyone from Athlete’s Nation!!!! Yay (hopefully)!!! :-}
-Cindi
Nico - May 13, 2008
It always has been a very kid friendly even ...
McFood has brought his McNuggets of varying ages for years and they’ve always seemed to have had a good time.
The tailgate might change the dynamic, though—there will inevitably be more beer … that might have its consequences …
devo - May 15, 2008
Always has been ...
devo - May 12, 2008
What about the special reserved tailgate areas?
mikev - May 12, 2008
I think the tailgate is a great idea
Even though I probably can’t stay for the game because I have something else that evening, I will buy a ticket, stop by the tailgate and attend the panel if I can make the schedule work. NRAFs coming in from out of town should also note that Friday, July 11 is a fireworks night, and Coliseum fireworks are very much worth the effort of attending. We should think about having an informal AN tailgate/meetup for the Friday and Sunday games as well. I’m assuming that for the Saturday game we’ll be in the designated group tailgate area. I will be happy to help with logistics, food buying, name tag wrangling, information for visiting NRAFs, etc.
Englishmajor - May 12, 2008
great idea
I am going to go, and bringing a couple friends
S3anie - May 12, 2008
:(
I wish I would have known it was going to be earlier this year.
Jennifer - May 12, 2008
Screw Texas, come to Oakland!
pam5981 - May 12, 2008
Texas is paid for.
Jennifer - May 12, 2008
Just ask the Mexicans.
alox - May 12, 2008
Obviously Chavez won't take part in the conversation
grover - May 12, 2008
[shakes head]
paradox - May 13, 2008
Excellent weekend for promotions, esp for the NRAFs who are starved for free A's swag.
Fireworks on Friday, A’s Baseball hat on Saturday, and the 80’s Retro Jersey on Sunday.
I’m also willing to help organize! Let me know what I can do!
pam5981 - May 12, 2008
So, how does ticket buying work?
Do we have to buy stadium tickets for toddlers? I’ll probably be buying about 4-5 tickets. I may have to go to the fireworks game, too. I won’t get to experience the Wednesday game (no way we can get to more than a couple games), but the fireworks are great. And there will be a lot of people at the park.
JediLeroy - May 12, 2008
I've got several grills
and about 5 small bags of charcoal I’d be willing to donate to the cause Sounds like fun!
batgirl - May 12, 2008
Oh, and.. do we purchase an "AN day ticket" that includes a seat? Just curious.
Not sure how it’s all going to work.
JediLeroy - May 12, 2008
Yes
As for kids, in theory you have to buy a ticket for anyone over 24 months old, as it is assumed the kid will be taking up a seat. You get a discount for 2-14-year-olds but only in Plaza Outfield. I have not seen anyone checking birth certificates at the gate so I’m guessing you can get away with a smallish 3-year-old as long as they aren’t at the stage where they feel compelled to tell random people “I’m this many!”
Englishmajor - May 12, 2008
I'm in! I was going to this game already!
How freaking cool! I would need 3 tickets, one for me and my daughter and one for a friend. I can’t bring a grill, but would have time to get food! This is going to be a blast!
A'sfansince1970 - May 12, 2008
Is Paul Thomas going to be there?
If so, I might make the trip up as I’d love to meet him in person.
methodrampage - May 12, 2008
I generally try to avoid getting jumped by random internet people
and given your attitude on prior threads, that’s what I’d be expecting from you.
To answer the question, though, if anyone else is wondering, I have no idea whether I’ll be there or not at this point.
PaulThomas - May 12, 2008
Fear not, he's going to jump Paul Thomas, Good Charlotte's bassist.
You’re PaulThomas.
JediLeroy - May 12, 2008
I think that's what he's worried about.
Actually being PaulThomas. Unless of course he’s actually the bassist for Good Charlotte.
alox - May 12, 2008
Shouldn't your concern
be more based to the ratio between your height to his jumping ability? If he can jump really high and you’re not very tall, i don’t think you have too much of a problem.
DMOAS - May 12, 2008
I'm almost exactly average height...
5’ 9.5” or thereabouts.
Vince Carter could jump over me, but I doubt he can.
PaulThomas - May 12, 2008
are you going to be there?
because i doubt anyone wants to meet you in person.
xbhaskarx - May 12, 2008
+1
Poppy - May 12, 2008
rec function at its finest!
mikeA - May 12, 2008
Are you anything more than PaulThomas' lap dog?
methodrampage - May 13, 2008
he's my one-time-use-only ATM
monkeyball - May 13, 2008
No,
but he puts sugar in the water.
mikeA - May 13, 2008
This made me laugh
methodrampage - May 12, 2008
also, who are you kidding
you’re not going to start something with PT in front of 50 ANers, hell you probably won’t even go…
xbhaskarx - May 12, 2008
It was a joke dude
methodrampage - May 12, 2008
And boy, it was a real knee-slapper
Wait… no, actually, it wasn’t. I infer this from the “LOL”s and “QOTM”s which failed to follow you posting it.
Most people would define a “joke” as “a short bit of verbiage designed to induce humor,” not “a short bit of verbiage designed to induce a fight.”
PaulThomas - May 12, 2008
There's something to be said for subtlety
I can’t help the denseness of some people. But I am curious as to when it occurred to xbhaskarx thought I was legitimately using AN as a vessel to forge new friendships and that I was remotely interested in meeting any of you wonderful internets people. Also, there was nothing threatening about my post. I’m not sure why you’re getting your little boy panties in a bundle. Honestly, a part of me would like to put a face to PaulThomas but it has nothing to do with inflicting bodily harm on anyone, I’m still not sure why everyone thinks a fight is a brewing. I may act like a jerk online, and it’ll probably continue, but that doesn’t mean I’m not civil in the real world. So my advice to you is grow some thicker skin, work on your sense of humor and there might be some hope for Paul.
methodrampage - May 13, 2008
Let me spell this out explicitly then
I am not interested in your opinion.
I am not interested in what you have to say, because I find it useless.
If the site had a block function, you’d be on it so fast your head would spin.
I’m not interested in meeting you, online, IRL or anywhere.
I’m going to ask you to not reply to my posts or throw my name around here. I don’t expect this will work, but perhaps some vestige of actual civility will override the reptilian-brain churlishness that seems to be all you can muster as actual contributions here. You are pointlessly wasting the time of both of us.
PaulThomas - May 13, 2008
Sorry Paul
I can’t make any promises but enjoy your Tuesday.
methodrampage - May 13, 2008
HAL 9000
Sounds like something HAL 9000 would say as he is booting you out of the airlock.
DCinWC - May 13, 2008
Actually, Mr. Rampage, you will honor the request starting...
...Now.
Nico - May 13, 2008
How in hell would you know that?
As Fan in the Bronx - May 13, 2008
Yea
me too
Shippee33 - May 12, 2008
Finally! I can actually attend!
I’ll buy tickets with the group, but I’m not sure how many I’ll need. At least 3 and maybe 6. Any chance Blez plays one of his juice cards and gets Billy to attend?
alox - May 12, 2008
Would they hang out in the parking lot? That'd be awesome.
JediLeroy - May 12, 2008
REPLY, you douchebag
JediLeroy - May 12, 2008
I'm there!
just need one ticket. I don’t have a grill, but I’ll bring a cooler or two filled with ice and beverages.
yay!
gigglingone - May 12, 2008
i'm in
Zonis - May 12, 2008
The way I read it...
...it sounds like you’ll be there with a robe and wizard hat. Talk about a photo opportunity…
FormerHuntsvilleStar - May 12, 2008
Zonis - May 12, 2008
This Sounds Like A Party, Circa 2006:
As you know, we always throw down in the A-Lot.
I can ensure that we have a couple more grills to add to Batgirl’s.
My brithday is on the 10th and TempleofA’s B-Day is the 12th. We were already talking about having a party at the Coliseum, so this may work out perfectly.
Raymond St. Martin (Saint) - May 12, 2008
Hi, Saint..
Are you usually in the same place before games this season? I’ve been coming in Cgate side, but
I’d come around the other way to see you.
LongTimeFan - May 12, 2008
And mine is the 11th
And we all need to celebrate extra since about 95% of the time, our birthdays are during the All-Star Break!
Englishmajor - May 12, 2008
HAHAHA!!!
True True…
LTF: I am usually in the “exact” same spot. It looks like, unless Baby Saint is born in the next week, the complete drum core will be there this MOnday. It should be LOUD!!!
I’ve been enjoying the small crowds at weeknight games and we are trying to make it out to those more than the packed affairs.
The mobs that overtook the LF Bleachers last year made it difficult for us to get our seats and it just kind of wore on us. These smaller crowds have been a blast though.
Raymond St. Martin (Saint) - May 13, 2008
I can come!!!
Where will the group tickets be?
#14fan - May 12, 2008
probably need about 4 tickets, maybe 5
#14fan - May 12, 2008
Im coming from out of town
I plan on coming for the whole weekend and attending all 3 games(11-13). I will probably stay in San Fran to hang out and party. Anyone with info on cool hotels close to good food and fun bars in the City please let me know.
asfaninpismobeach - May 12, 2008
Well, you can try Nico, but his recommendations
to me several years ago…I had asked him to spell it and it was T-e-n-d-e-r-l-o-i-n, odd name I thought, and I was very uncomfortable in the places he told me that were good to hangout but they all knew him…go figure.
ak_A - May 12, 2008
it wasn't just that they knew him ...
... it was that they knew him as Cindy.
monkeyball - May 12, 2008
Which greatly offended Cindi
JediLeroy - May 12, 2008
Hell...
it even greatly offended THEM
DMOAS - May 12, 2008
You were uncomfortable, ak_A?
Usually that cost extra.
Nico - May 12, 2008
plus one
ak_A - May 12, 2008
I like strip clubs as
much as the next guy but there was this one time with a midget, baby oil and…..... never mind I will talk to Nico later,LOl
asfaninpismobeach - May 12, 2008
The great part is you save a lot of money on baby oil
because midgets have less surface area. Well that’s one of the great parts, anyway.
Nico - May 12, 2008
according to some economists and analysts, we've hit peak baby oil
Better start hoarding!
monkeyball - May 13, 2008
I recently had some visitors from Britain
stay at the Chancellor, just up the street from the St. Francis on Powell Street, and they liked it. It’s a very convenient location for BART and other transit, and it was a good price (i.e. horrendously expensive but not ridiculously so). San Francisco hotels tend to be clustered in a relatively limited area, which is not necessarily where the more interesting food and drink is located. But fortunately they’re a short cab or bus ride away.
Englishmajor - May 12, 2008
emphasis on "necessarily"
I can hook NRAFs up with interesting food/drink options (from cheap to not-so) around Union Square.
monkeyball - May 12, 2008
You kidding?
You can roll from the Chancellor to good food. It’s staggering distance from a huge number of spots.
MobiusKlein - May 12, 2008
Im going to
look up the Chancellor. Thanks for the heads up. Sounds like a good time.
asfaninpismobeach - May 12, 2008
It's just that down town SF is crowded with resturants.
I work there – and I can walk to about 6 or 7 Indian Restaurants within 5 blocks.
No clue how many sushi joints.
Tons of fancy imported chocolate places. It’s insane.
MobiusKlein - May 12, 2008
"horrendously expensive but not ridiculously so"
LOL! What does that mean? Horrendously is better than ridiculously? Or the price wasn’t ridiculously horrendous, just plain horrendous?
Poppy - May 12, 2008
Will Billy B attend the tailgate?
BB, I was unable to attend prior AN days but always read about Billy B’s discussions prior to the game or whatever Blez had scheduled. Will there be something similar this year or are you limiting it to a tail gate??? Props if you can get Billy B to share a few beers with the rest of us.
dathirdeck - May 12, 2008
That's the kicker, of course...
...special guests may be limited due to the tailgate…but Blez and I are discussing options, logistics, etc.
Stay tuned!
baseballgirl - May 12, 2008
Thanks for the reply.
Of course, a pre-tailgate party at Billy B’s house is an option. Just so that he can go directly to the game and smashing chairs.
dathirdeck - May 12, 2008
I dunno...
When they showed a shot of Billy at the LAAoA game, he was drinking wine. Pssh. At a baseball game?
pam5981 - May 12, 2008
For some reason, I can totally see that.
FormerHuntsvilleStar - May 12, 2008
Billy Beane, secret Giants fan
monkeyball - May 12, 2008
Sigh...
If we weren’t already doing enough travelling this spring/summer, I’d seriously consider it this year. Phooey.
Oh well…it sounds like a great idea!
FormerHuntsvilleStar - May 12, 2008
shouldn't the title of this be ...
AN Day V: The Tailgatening?
monkeyball - May 12, 2008
Sounds like fun!
I’ll need a ticket, upwards of three. I can bring a grill too and man the bbq.
Rebuilding Season - May 12, 2008
I like tails...
and I like gates. Count me in.
passionately objective - May 12, 2008
count me in
Definitely 1 ticket, possibly 2.
monkeyball - May 12, 2008
Count me in. Sounds fun. 1 ticket, possibly 2.
justarebelheart - May 12, 2008
I will be there for sure
This will be the first AN day that I will make it out for
Shippee33 - May 12, 2008
Damn weddings!
1st I find out I’ll miss out on the 80’s jersey. Now I’m missing out on AN day!
Maybe next year.
fansince1980 - May 12, 2008
Then stop getting married so damn often
Geez.
Nico - May 12, 2008
I'
149 - May 12, 2008
I'm a big fan of tail
Count me in. I’m also VERY local. So BBG, let me know what I can do to help out.
149 - May 12, 2008
I'm a big fan of tail too
Which zoo do you like best?
Nico - May 12, 2008
I'm not picky...
Can’t afford to be. But I can tell you the zoo I can’t stand… The F’n Halos. I can’t watch anymore. Gawd the CWS suck!
149 - May 12, 2008
I'm definitely in
I was planning on going to that night’s game anyway, but I’ve yet to get tickets. Thus, count me as interested, BBG, in the AN group package.
Wait, no, that’s not quite it. Count me as interested in getting one ticket as part of the AN group deal. Yes, that’s what I meant. All right then, moving on….
Also, as an RAF, I too am more than happy to help out in any way that I can. Be it bringing a few grills or just picking up some food for me and a few NRAFs on the day of, let me know and I’d do it.
Wes7 - May 12, 2008
Me too
I mailed bbg, we’ll see if she needs anything. I love tailgating.
paradox - May 13, 2008
Hey I'm flying in for the game...
Can Someone pick up some extra food for me? I’ll pay you back when I get to the tailgate. (You just have to tell me what you look like)
#14fan - May 13, 2008
I will
bring extra beer for you. I will be the white guy with the A’s hat on. See you then.
asfaninpismobeach - May 13, 2008
This will work best if we all bring pasta salad.
Poppy - May 13, 2008
Dunno
Isn’t Pasta some foreign dish? Not sure we can have that at a ballpark, and eat it with a good American drink like beer.
MobiusKlein - May 13, 2008
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