SoxComms Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sunday, January 11, 2009 REMINDER: SOXFEST SINGLE AND TWO-DAY PASSES ON SALE CHICAGO – SoxFest single day and two-day passes, allowing access to Saturday and/or Sunday of the Chicago White Sox annual weekend baseball convention, will go on sale Monday morning at 10 a.m. at whitesox.com. A limited number of two-night hotel reservations at the Palmer House Hilton for SoxFest 2009, along with weekend passes, are still available on whitesox.com. White Sox players John Danks, Jermaine Dye, Gavin Floyd, Paul Konerko, Carlos Quentin and Jim Thome, along with manager Ozzie Guillen and general manager Ken Williams, are scheduled to attend SoxFest 2009, presented by U.S. Cellular. SoxFest 2009 will be held Friday, January 30 (4:00 to 9:00 p.m.), Saturday, January 31 (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and Sunday, February 1, 2009 (9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) at the Palmer House Hilton. Single day passes to SoxFest cost $50 (Saturday) and $35 (Sunday), two-day passes for both Saturday and Sunday cost $70 and three-day weekend passes (with hotel reservations) cost $75. Friday night of SoxFest is exclusively for hotel guests. A very limited number of Premium Upgrade Packages, which are available to fans with hotel reservations and weekend passes, are still available. All are available at whitesox.com. -30- © 2009 Chicago White Sox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
266344 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 QUOTE (SoxComms @ Jan 11, 2009 -> 07:28 PM) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sunday, January 11, 2009 REMINDER: SOXFEST SINGLE AND TWO-DAY PASSES ON SALE CHICAGO – SoxFest single day and two-day passes, allowing access to Saturday and/or Sunday of the Chicago White Sox annual weekend baseball convention, will go on sale Monday morning at 10 a.m. at whitesox.com. A limited number of two-night hotel reservations at the Palmer House Hilton for SoxFest 2009, along with weekend passes, are still available on whitesox.com. White Sox players John Danks, Jermaine Dye, Gavin Floyd, Paul Konerko, Carlos Quentin and Jim Thome, along with manager Ozzie Guillen and general manager Ken Williams, are scheduled to attend SoxFest 2009, presented by U.S. Cellular. SoxFest 2009 will be held Friday, January 30 (4:00 to 9:00 p.m.), Saturday, January 31 (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and Sunday, February 1, 2009 (9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) at the Palmer House Hilton. Single day passes to SoxFest cost $50 (Saturday) and $35 (Sunday), two-day passes for both Saturday and Sunday cost $70 and three-day weekend passes (with hotel reservations) cost $75. Friday night of SoxFest is exclusively for hotel guests. A very limited number of Premium Upgrade Packages, which are available to fans with hotel reservations and weekend passes, are still available. All are available at whitesox.com. -30- © 2009 Chicago White Sox Wont be the same without Swisher this year. Who we going to close the Bar with ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swingandalongonetoleft Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Such sadness whenever I think about that trade... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchtower41 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 pass on the pass this year. Last year, even with the exclusive "MVP" hotel package was by far the worst Soxfest ever. Not even fun anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Will Jeff Marquez be there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSqwert Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 QUOTE (Swingandalongonetoleft @ Jan 12, 2009 -> 12:13 AM) Such sadness whenever I think about that trade... He was truly an amazing player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEANS Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 so the GF and I were thinking of coming up from Indy for this, is it worth it? what exactly goes on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 This is the first time in recent memory that hotel packages were even still available this late. It used to sell out quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 QUOTE (MEANS @ Jan 12, 2009 -> 12:52 PM) so the GF and I were thinking of coming up from Indy for this, is it worth it? what exactly goes on? Last year was the first time I didn't go. If you are an autograph collector, it may be worth your while if you like to wait in line. I just like the seminars. When they did away with half priced season ticketholder tickets and jacked up the prices for individual days, I didn't see spending $50 for information I would get a few hours later was worth it for me, but you can ask questions and they seem to be pretty sincere with their answers. Its also a little comical when KW gets a little annoyed. He's one guy who can't hide it. The vendors used to have good deals, but even they have been squeezed by the smaller venue. You should go if you haven't gone before and try it at least for a day. At the very least it will make you forget about the weather for a few hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Chappas Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Still can't warm up to the venue. May go if they pull off an interesting move in the next week or so. The 10% season ticket price increase and lack of moves this offseason haven't really gotten me all that fired up to spending $50 for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchtower41 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 12, 2009 -> 12:00 PM) This is the first time in recent memory that hotel packages were even still available this late. It used to sell out quick. I think it would be hilarious, and perhaps a wake-up call if they didn't sell-out all together this year. Soxfest was the one thing that took on a huge negative impact after we won in 2005. If it was organized correctly, it could be a fun experience for the fans again....lining up at 4:30am to get a Bobby Jenks autograph wristband for a session that starts at 11:30....not so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
266344 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 QUOTE (MEANS @ Jan 12, 2009 -> 11:52 AM) so the GF and I were thinking of coming up from Indy for this, is it worth it? what exactly goes on? We purchased the hotel package last year and Friday night was great, it's closed to the public. I think we scored 8 autographs. They have a room with game used equipment, jerseys, etc. They have about 40 vendors that sell any kind of sox wear you can think of and a game room for kids, question and answer session with the players and coaches. There is a bar in the lobby. The players that dont know any better will drink down there, usally the new guys. I went for coffee at 5AM on Sunday and saw a 100 people in line for Jim Thome (Jim never showed). If you want save money book a room and just hang out in the lobby or get a 1 day pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 QUOTE (watchtower41 @ Jan 12, 2009 -> 03:06 PM) I think it would be hilarious, and perhaps a wake-up call if they didn't sell-out all together this year. Soxfest was the one thing that took on a huge negative impact after we won in 2005. If it was organized correctly, it could be a fun experience for the fans again....lining up at 4:30am to get a Bobby Jenks autograph wristband for a session that starts at 11:30....not so much. The reason it's done the way it is now is because of what happened in 06. After winning 25K people showed up for the event. It's not the Sox fault the lines were so long. They tried to accomidate. And now that they took steps not to have lines at 4:30 in the morning people b****. It can't be both ways. 10K controlled is much better than 25K uncontrolled anyday. Don't blame the Sox for making it safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchtower41 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 QUOTE (Steff @ Jan 13, 2009 -> 12:11 PM) The reason it's done the way it is now is because of what happened in 06. After winning 25K people showed up for the event. It's not the Sox fault the lines were so long. They tried to accomidate. And now that they took steps not to have lines at 4:30 in the morning people b****. It can't be both ways. 10K controlled is much better than 25K uncontrolled anyday. Don't blame the Sox for making it safe. So basically they cut attendance and doubled prices, yet somehow the fest is at it worst and it's not the Sox fault Was able to get more autos and into more seminars in 2005 and 2006 than I was last year with the VIP pass. The whole weekend has turned into a cash cow joke. The staff is so unorganized they have no idea when to starting handing out wristbands, where to form lines, where anything even is or god forbid what time it starts. Since the move to Palmer House, this is just turned into a big clusterf*ck. Stay up all night in the hotel lobby that you just paid $250 a night for to get mutliple wristbands (for the same times) otherwise show up at 9am when the doors open and they *might* have a wristband for you to meet Brian Anderson or Ron Kittle (if you buy a book) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 QUOTE (watchtower41 @ Jan 13, 2009 -> 04:05 PM) So basically they cut attendance and doubled prices, yet somehow the fest is at it worst and it's not the Sox fault Was able to get more autos and into more seminars in 2005 and 2006 than I was last year with the VIP pass. The whole weekend has turned into a cash cow joke. The staff is so unorganized they have no idea when to starting handing out wristbands, where to form lines, where anything even is or god forbid what time it starts. Since the move to Palmer House, this is just turned into a big clusterf*ck. Stay up all night in the hotel lobby that you just paid $250 a night for to get mutliple wristbands (for the same times) otherwise show up at 9am when the doors open and they *might* have a wristband for you to meet Brian Anderson or Ron Kittle (if you buy a book) The last year at the Hyatt was a joke. I almost didn't feel safe. I do like the bigger venue better though. I don't think $ is the White Sox motivation. After they pay for the players' expenses for coming everything else goes to charity IIRC. I'm not an autograph guy. If you really need an autograph, spring training is the place to be. I think the small venue making it more exclusive wasn't the way to go. There are ways to avoid what happened at the Hyatt in Jan 06. They should go back there, maybe lower the price and give more fans an opportunity to attend and be comfortable. Since they limit the amount of autographs the players give, they should have them sign a bunch of photos before the event and pass those out to those who don't want to wait in line to have them sign specific items. It would be easy for the players. Lessen conjestion. I think people would enjoy the event more if they didn't spend the majority of their time in line for an autograph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 QUOTE (watchtower41 @ Jan 13, 2009 -> 03:05 PM) So basically they cut attendance and doubled prices, yet somehow the fest is at it worst and it's not the Sox fault Was able to get more autos and into more seminars in 2005 and 2006 than I was last year with the VIP pass. The whole weekend has turned into a cash cow joke. The staff is so unorganized they have no idea when to starting handing out wristbands, where to form lines, where anything even is or god forbid what time it starts. Since the move to Palmer House, this is just turned into a big clusterf*ck. Stay up all night in the hotel lobby that you just paid $250 a night for to get mutliple wristbands (for the same times) otherwise show up at 9am when the doors open and they *might* have a wristband for you to meet Brian Anderson or Ron Kittle (if you buy a book) The cut attendance because they had to and doubled the price because the expense of the venue called for it. And let's not forget that all PROFITS from Soxfest go to CHARITY... The # of autographs given are up to the players, so go complain to them, and as for that media whore Ron Kittle, don't blame the Sox for the stupidity of people to buy his s***ty book and wait in line to get his autograph. Though I've gotta say... I'm not surprised at the b****ing. I remember when the Sox GAVE away free passes to the fest with the hotel room and people screamed that they didn't give away more.. and of course after that was there were too many people.. bla, bla, bla... No matter what they do it's never good enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDsDirtySox Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Add me to the list of people who really enjoy Soxfest. My wife and I go and really make it a great weekend downtown. Sort of a mini Winter Vacation. Like Steff said... there will always be people who have something to complain about... it's the easy way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve9347 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 12, 2009 -> 12:00 PM) This is the first time in recent memory that hotel packages were even still available this late. It used to sell out quick. Gotta be the economy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Chappas Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 QUOTE (Steff @ Jan 13, 2009 -> 03:51 PM) The cut attendance because they had to and doubled the price because the expense of the venue called for it. And let's not forget that all PROFITS from Soxfest go to CHARITY... The # of autographs given are up to the players, so go complain to them, and as for that media whore Ron Kittle, don't blame the Sox for the stupidity of people to buy his s***ty book and wait in line to get his autograph. Though I've gotta say... I'm not surprised at the b****ing. I remember when the Sox GAVE away free passes to the fest with the hotel room and people screamed that they didn't give away more.. and of course after that was there were too many people.. bla, bla, bla... No matter what they do it's never good enough. Autograph seekers kind of creep me out. I am talking about the people that look like they are there simply to get something to sell. That being said I really do not care about that aspect of the convention. The problem with the Palmer House is it is to spread out and really seems unorganized. I think someone within the Sox organization dropped the ball when they agreed to moved there as the cost is really not worht it. 2006 was an exception to the rule. I think the last two years were subpar there really is no continuity between that various exhibits and the first year I never even saw that huge room where the fundamentals were as well as another room. The venue is notgood for that type of convention as I felt the Hyatt was perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ Jan 13, 2009 -> 04:22 PM) Autograph seekers kind of creep me out. I am talking about the people that look like they are there simply to get something to sell. That being said I really do not care about that aspect of the convention. The problem with the Palmer House is it is to spread out and really seems unorganized. I think someone within the Sox organization dropped the ball when they agreed to moved there as the cost is really not worht it. 2006 was an exception to the rule. I think the last two years were subpar there really is no continuity between that various exhibits and the first year I never even saw that huge room where the fundamentals were as well as another room. The venue is notgood for that type of convention as I felt the Hyatt was perfect. On the topic of the fundamentals, which is now able to be set up as a ball field with different stations for the kids (from age just able to walk to early teens) and speaking areas, is one of the biggests draws. That never was possible due to space limitations at the Hyatt. Families can spend hours in there with their kids. People who wouldn't go to Soxfest before because there was nothing for their kids love it. And it's nice when the players "stop by" unscheduled. I disagree on the layout though. I enjoy the open floorplan way more. It's nice to be able to walk freely and at leisure from one thing to the next. They Hyatt had no idea what the hell they were doing. They were lucky over the years that more Sox fans didn't show up. It would have been moved long ago if they had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ Jan 13, 2009 -> 04:22 PM) Autograph seekers kind of creep me out. I am talking about the people that look like they are there simply to get something to sell. I agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Honestly, I'm saying this as someone who's never been to Soxfest, but... Maybe they should have it at a larger venue like at a convention center with a hotel attached. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 So I'm assuming Dye isn't going to be traded between now and then since he is showing up to it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 QUOTE (SoxAce @ Jan 13, 2009 -> 10:04 PM) So I'm assuming Dye isn't going to be traded between now and then since he is showing up to it? I wouldn't assume that at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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