Who let the dogs out? — Phillies replacing ‘Dollar Dog Nights’ after 27 years
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 17: The Phillie Phanatic shoots hot dogs into the stands between innings of a game between the Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 17, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
The Phillies are putting the dollar dogs down.
The Phillies officially put an end to Dollar Dog Nights on Thursday and are replacing the popular promotion with a buy-one-get-one deal for two games in April.
The club said it stopped Dollar Dog Night after rowdy crowds last season threw hot dogs on the field, and at each other, and lines at concession stands clogged the concourses.
The Phillies introduced Dollar Dogs in 1997 as a way to increase sales at Veterans Stadium for a team that lost 94 games. Other promotions came and went, the dollar dogs were a constant, and they became notable for Dollar Dog Nights.
The promotion became limited in recent seasons but remained popular among fans, and they averaged 43,437 fans at last season’s Dollar Dog Nights, each of which was an early-season weeknight game against an unexciting opponent.
“Look, we’re very proud of this promotion,” John Weber, the Phillies senior vice president of ticket operations and projects, told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “It’s been talked about. It’s been great for 27 years. But it was just time for a change. We’ve been discussing a change for the last couple years. The unfortunate incidents last year of the throwing of the hot dogs plus the feedback from our fans postgame survey, the fans told us that it was time for a change.”
The first “Hatfield Phillies Franks BOGO Night” is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2 against the Cincinnati Reds with a second night on Tuesday, April 16 against the Colorado Rockies. A hot dog costs $5 at Citizens Bank Park and fans will be permitted to buy two dogs (but receive four) per purchase. In their three Dollar Dog Nights last season, the Phils had the same four-dog limit per transaction rule.
“Last year was kind of the tipping point. People were throwing hot dogs,” Weber said. “We still want to provide an opportunity for a discounted concession item. Two hot dogs for $5 and still come out to the game.”
Last April against the Seattle Mariners was delayed a few moments in the ninth inning as a Phillies’ ball girl collected hot dogs that had been thrown onto the field. That was the final straw for the dollar dogs.
“We can’t have people throwing things,” Weber said. “We want our fans to come and enjoy the games. You don’t see people throwing hot dogs in regular situations. It’s still a discounted program. It’s been 27 years and it’s all about making sure the fan experience is a good one and an enjoyable one.”
Weber noted the Phillies will increase staffing and security at this year’s discount dog games, hoping to ease the long lines at concession stands and calm fans if they become wild.
Yes, this sucks.
Dollar Dog Night is a tradition in the City of Brotherly Love. It is like a national holiday. Everyone knows it is happening. It just will not be the same.
You have to understand where the Phillies are coming from with this, however. Last season, while it was awesome, it got to a point where games were being halted and madness was occurring in the stands.
From the hot dog wave…
To the food fights…
Things were out of hand.
But also, come on. This is Philadelphia. There is nothing wrong with a few cheap dogs being thrown around, as long as they do not end up on the field. And the Phillie the Phanatic is still allowed to have a hot dog cannon that almost killed people but the fans who are spending a lot of money to even be there are not allowed to have dogs to throw around?
Not a shot at the Phanatic at all, but what are we doing?
I agree a lot with this video from Kyle Pagan, who was the one who called the state to protest for more Dollar Dog Nights.
Dollar Dog Night has been around longer than I have. This is a travesty.
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