Kilgore's new TCL team sets season ticket plan
BASEBALL
By MITCH LUCAS sports@kilgorenewsherald.com

A BUSY MAN - Earlier this week, Mike Lieberman (above), the general manager of Kilgore's new Texas Collegiate League baseball team, announced the team's newest head coach. Now, Lieberman and company have announced the team's season ticket plan.

As the new Texas Collegiate League baseball franchise approaches its first-ever season here at Driller Park this summer, it now has a season ticket plan in place.

East Texas Sports & Entertainment, which last month introduced the new summer collegiate baseball team, now has season tickets available for the team's inaugural campaign. They are available in two sections: lower box and upper box.

Lower box seats are closer to the field, making them the most attractive seats available. Upper box seats are located immediately behind the lower boxes.

Besides their proximity to the field, lower box seats will feature another special benefit: In-yourseat wait service. Fans sitting in the lower box seats won't have to stand in line at the concessions stand if they're hungry or if they want a drink. The team's wait staff will take orders from lower box seat patrons, then deliver their food and drink directly to them, right in their seats.

"We want to bring the high-priced services of a major league luxury suite to fans here in East Texas, but at a reasonable price," said general manager Mike Lieberman. "Most of us never get the chance to experience life in a big-league suite or club seats at an arena. So instead, we'll bring that same sort of exclusive VIP treatment to our fans, right here in East Texas, and at a price that won't break the bank."

Season tickets will cost $225 per seat in the lower boxes and $180 per seat in the upper boxes. Both prices represent a discount of more than 6% off of the face value of the tickets. The team will play 24 home games.

Season ticket holders get far more than just the same great seats for every home game. Every season ticket holder will also become a member of the team's exclusive Premier Club, which carries a host of benefits. Among the perks and privileges enjoyed by Premier Club members are:

• The "Never A Wasted Ticket" program. Club members can exchange any unused season tickets for grandstand tickets to another regular season game, subject to availability. Members can exchange unused tickets to bring friends to games throughout the season, or bring a whole group to one game.

• The option to purchase playoff tickets before they go on sale to the general public.

• Invitations to exclusive Premier Club events, like a "Meet The Players" function and Premier Club Batting Practice.

• An exclusive Premier Club discount on highlighted items at the team's merchandise store throughout the season.

• Recognition on the team's web site and in the inaugural season program.

• When renewing tickets for next season, Premier Club members enjoy priority in relocating, adding to, or changing seats.

• The option to purchase tickets for other events hosted by the team (if any) before they go on sale to the public.

All of the team's 24 home games this summer will be played at historic Driller Park. Built in 1947, the park's configuration doesn't provide for traditional flip-down ballpark seats. Instead, it features four rows of open boxes that can seat anywhere from two to eight fans, depending on the box's size and location. The team will provide comfortable armchair seating for all fans in box seats.

"The boxes actually make things a lot more social than a traditional ballpark," Lieberman said. "You can turn your chairs to face your friends if you want to have a conversation or do some business, a luxury you just don't have in traditional ballpark seating.

"Plus, you don't have fans climbing all over each other like in ballparks with long rows of seats. In the box seats, you basically have a little section all to yourself!"

Premier Club members will also receive a membership card and coupons to be used towards concessions and merchandise this season. The team may also add more benefits in the future to further enhance the Premier Club.

"With the benefits of the Premier Club, season tickets are a great decision for families and businesses alike," explained Lieberman. "Great entertainment featuring top-notch baseball right here in our own backyard, this will be great for entertaining clients, rewarding employees, sharing time with friends, or just catching a future major leaguer before he blossoms into a star."

Fans may purchase their season tickets at the team's new temporary office at 1100 Stone Road, Suite 120, in Kilgore.

A downloadable form will soon be available on the team's web site, allowing fans to fill out the form and mail in their payment.

Fans have the option of paying for the tickets in full or simply placing a deposit on their seats. Fans who pay in full will receive a special Premier Club gift from the team prior to the season. Ticket holders can instead choose to place a $50 per seat non-refundable deposit on their tickets, with the balance due by April 15.

Seat locations will not be chosen at the time of purchase. Instead, fans that purchase season tickets will be placed on a priority list based on when they placed their order. The team will invite fans to pick their seats, in priority order, closer to the season.

The team expects to announce its inaugural season schedule early next week. Fans can get more information on season tickets and follow all the news and developments by logging on the team's web site, newbaseballteam.com.

The team has not yet announced a name or mascot, but plans to do so very soon.