phidias1

We would really value some advice on buying baseball tickets.
The Mariners are playing July 10th and 11th when we will be in Seattle and we'd love to see a game. But we have no experience buying baseball tickets.
We will be needing 7 tickets (Four adults and three kids aged 16,16,10) We'd like tickets with a decent view but don't want to spend a fortune (up to $50/ticket would be fine)
Can anyone offer advice who to buy from?
And I remember seeing something on a thread about the virtues of a day versus evening game but now can't find it.
Thanks for your help!

nytraveler

Your first stop should be the mariner's website. Have a look at the schematic of the park and see what tickets they have avialable on the days you want. You should buy directly form the team - unless they are sold out - since a are seller will charge a premium.

I don;t know that particular park so can;t tell you what seats are good/bad.

Fodorite018

We have been to many M's games. Honestly, I don't think there is a bad seat in the stadium. We have either had season tickets or bought the day of the game. There are usually people outside the stadium selling tickets too, but with a group of 7 I wouldn't recommend that. As for day vs night games...both are good, IMO. Nighttime just lets you see more city lights, but daytime you can see the ferries on the water. We have tickets for the game on the 11th

phidias1

thanks nytraveler and mms (also for the Portland advice on a previous query!)
I think we'll try for the day game. We did look at the stadium plan and it is nice to know we don't have to worry too much about where they are. Would you recommend getting seats higher up in the stadium to see more of the whole play or lower down to actually see what the players are doing?
The two 16 year olds have never seen a baseball game before. Our ten year old plays softball and we have seen a few softball and baseball games at Stanford but we've never been to a 'real' game (Stanford probably will strike me down for saying that!)

NWWanderer

I share season tickets with a group and our seats are in the first row of the upper 300 level, close to home plate (I believe they are called "view reserved"). I think these are a good value--much less than the box seats and I do like being up high to take it all in.

But the great thing about Safeco Field is that you can walk around the main concourse and still see the field--so you don't have to stay in your seats the whole game; we usually sit for half of it then walk around for half the game. Be sure to go downstairs to the bullpen area.

I find the ticketmaster format on the Mariners website difficult in terms of seeing available seats, so I'd see if you can find a number to call for the actual box office or call one of the Mariner Team Stores and they can talk you through the options that are available. Or you could take a chance and wait until you get here and go to the Team Store or the box office the day before or the day of.

Gardyloo

If your choices are July 10 or 11, then those are both night games according to the schedule, so a moot point. The game on Sunday the 12th is an afternoon game, however.

The great majority of seats at Safeco that would let you get close to the players are for season ticket holders, so probably not going to work for you.

If you pick an evening game, I would try to avoid right or center field seating, especially higher up, as the setting sun can get in your eyes a little. Slightly less a problem in left field, and not a problem on the infield sides.

You might also look at www.stubhub.com, which can sometimes have decent prices on good tickets from season ticket holders who don't need them for particular games.

phidias1

Thanks very much. All really useful and helpful advice. I'll report back!