The "family" section

[Scott37]

I brought my 8 year old son to his first game yesterday after picking up tickets off of the Patriots exchange program on line. I thought we got pretty good seats in section 238 - second tier, corner endzone. We went in and asked directions to the section from the guy selling programs and he pointed and said it's right over there.

As we made our way over to the seats we made a couple of stops, first for a foam finger and second for a $7.50 beer, water a pizza and pretzel. It soon became clear that the directions we had gotten were faulty and we had to circle the entire stadium to reach our seats - no big deal, at least my son got to see the stadium. It was kind of a pain holding his hand (foam finger at that point) and balancing the cup of draft beer, water, and snacks in the cardboard holder as we walked around Gilette but, hey, this is football and you do what you have to do.

Eventually we reached the seats and sat down, my son got his first real view of the field and then naturally dove into the snacks. As I tried to take it all in I reached down for the beer that I'd been carrying around the place to take a sip when the usher walked over and said "excuse me sir, this is the family section - you can't have beer here!"

I was stunned - not only did the Patriots ticket exchange not say anything about the seats being in the "family section," the tickets themselves had no indication either. Furthermore, there is no signage at all advertising that this is the family section and to add insult to injury there is a beer vendor set up right at the bottom of the stairs. For the remainder of the first quarter I watched as excited fans approached their seats, most of whom were carrying $7.50 - $15.00 worth of beer in their hands, only to be turned away by the beer gestapo.

I have no problem at all with a family section where beer is not allowed I just think that the Patriots, stadium and ticketmaster all owed some type of notice to those sitting in that section.

I'm done with my rant, you can return to your regularly scheduled programming now...

 

[milwaukeebeers44]

I had the same problem at Fenway. They had one measly small sign about it (that was not visible from anywhere NEAR our seats), and a friend and I almost got tossed out of the park by some naziesque usher. It was the first year of the new Henry regime, so I wrote to the management about it, and not only did I get free tickets out of the deal, but they had installed a much larger sign next time I was at the park.

Obviously it's not just Gillette that has that problem, but I wish they'd make things more explicit (e.g., printing it on tickets, warning you when you're buying tickets, and putting up signs in prominent places) so that we can savor those expensive suds instead of being forced to chug them before sitting.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

238 is a Non alcoholic section along with 225.. But unfortunitly they dont mark it on tickets ...

 

[checkedout]

Yes, that's news to me also. Thanks for the post. How did your son enjoy his first game?

 

[CTPatsFan]

I didn't even know it existed. When I saw your post I thought it was going to be about a need for one.

You would think that there would be some notice about it. There isn't any signage above the entrance to that section?

I've been to a number of NASCAR tracks with my 9yo son and usually try to get seats in the family section whenever possible and it's usually printed on the tix and there are signs everywhere about the restriction on alcohol and profanity.

I guess I'm surprised.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

I didn't even know it existed. When I saw your post I thought it was going to be about a need for one.

You would think that there would be some notice about it. There isn't any signage above the entrance to that section?

I've been to a number of NASCAR tracks with my 9yo son and usually try to get seats in the family section whenever possible and it's usually printed on the tix and there are signs everywhere about the restriction on alcohol and profanity.

I guess I'm surprised.

Is the Nascar family section the kissing cousin section??? Just kidding , not a nascar fan..

 

[Scott37]

He really had a good time - a great first game for a kid, pleanty of scoring! We ended up leaving with a hat, brady shirt, foam finger and foam flying elvis hat. By the end of the day he was exhausted and slept most of the ride back home.

Please understand, I'm not saying that the family section shouldn't exist, after going to quite a few games I've seen & heard some things that just aren't suitable for a child, usually during night games in the upper levels! It would have been nice to have some type of notice that we were in this section prior to getting the seats. I obviously wan't there to get drunk, it just would have been nice to be able to wash my pretzel down with a beer while watching a game.

 

[BelichickFan]

A football game is no place for a family section. You want a family section ? Go to Sea World.

 

[CTPatsFan]

Is the Nascar family section the kissing cousin section??? Just kidding , not a nascar fan..

LMAO! I was going to say if there are any branches to your (general, not specifically) family tree, you'd be excluded. But that wouldn't say much for me trying to get seats there

At some southern tracks, you see some <ahem> interesting looking people. Then again, the same holds true for some northern tracks!

 

[PATSNUTme]

It's sound as if you missed out on a vital experience at the stadium.

It's required that you get beer spilled down your back over and over by some drunks sitting ar row or two in back of you. And, what about all or the drunked profanity that your son misssed out on. And, of coarse, it sounds as if you missed ot seeing the big fat slob stripped down to his wasted yelling out outragously stupid comments. And, no fights between drunks having being hauled out of the stadium by cops and security.

Sound as if you really got screwed. :singing:

 

[BelichickFan]

What a childish comment. Did you have a childhood where your daddy didn't take you to ball games and took you to the ballet intead?

Care to retract your comment?

Nope. I went to games when I was young. I saw people drunk. Heck, I saw a van rocking back and forth in the parking lot 'cause two people were preparing for the game in their own special way. It's what you expect at a game. You don't ban people from drinking so the little kiddies can go.

 

[Scott37]

It's sound as if you missed out on a vital experience at the stadium.

It's required that you get beer spilled down your back over and over by some drunks sitting ar row or two in back of you. And, what about all or the drunked profanity that your son misssed out on. And, of coarse, it sounds as if you missed ot seeing the big fat slob stripped down to his wasted yelling out outragously stupid comments. And, no fights between drunks having being hauled out of the stadium by cops and security.

Sound as if you really got screwed. :singing:

Look, I didn't say I got screwed but I've been to quite a few games and the things that you're describing are the exception and not the rule. Once again my complaint is not about the existance of the section but about notice prior to purchasing tickets.

 

[BelichickFan]

It's sound as if you missed out on a vital experience at the stadium.

It's required that you get beer spilled down your back over and over by some drunks sitting ar row or two in back of you. And, what about all or the drunked profanity that your son misssed out on. And, of coarse, it sounds as if you missed ot seeing the big fat slob stripped down to his wasted yelling out outragously stupid comments. And, no fights between drunks having being hauled out of the stadium by cops and security.

Sound as if you really got screwed. :singing:

Look, alcohol is legal. If someone wants alcohol at a football game he should be able to have it. Awww, the poor little kids. GET OVER IT.

 

[scout]

The bottom line is that Gillette should advertise the "No Drinking" sections. As far as not having a brewsky at a ballgame, you've got to be kidding! Personally, I might have one, then the cost would be prohibitive from me drinking more. I don't think that we'll see the crowds of the historic nickel nights anymore. Then again, I haven't witnessed any live games in a while.

 

[BelichickFan]

As far as not having a brewsky at a ballgame, you've got to be kidding! Personally, I might have one, then the cost would be prohibitive from me drinking more. I don't think that we'll see the crowds of the historic nickel nights anymore.

Yeah, the one game I went to I didn't have a single beer. But that's not the point.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Look, I didn't say I got screwed but I've been to quite a few games and the things that you're describing are the exception and not the rule. Once again my complaint is not about the existance of the section but about notice prior to purchasing tickets.

You know that I was just kidding. I haven't been to Gillette but I've heard that the crowd is much calmer than they were at old Sullivan/Foxboro/Sheaffer Stadium.

What I did describe was the norm there for many years before the Krafts took over.

 

[texpat]

I understand your concern. Things like that shold be duly noted on the ticket and with proper signage at, or near the section.

When I first moved to Arizona, in 1988, I got season tickets for the Cardinals and I got the in the non alcoholic section because Idont drink, and they also were under the overhang which kept them out of the sun.

I have always been a believer that alcoholic beverages should NOT be sold at sporting events because they are the catalyst for many of the altercations that take place in the stands.

I see no reason that any person cant go a few hours without a beer.

This is not intended to pick on you, or any others that may consume a beer, or beers, at sporting events, but I, for one, see no need for it.

There is no reason that any person cant go to a game, be involved with it as a fan, have a good time, and do it without drinking beer.

There is plenty of time for that after the games.

Just my two cents.

Sure, it doesn't concern me, so take away the rights and privilages of others, you're begining to sound like Bush, LOLLLOLLOLLOLL

 

[Water Boy]

I have no problem at all with a family section where beer is not allowed I just think that the Patriots, stadium and ticketmaster all owed some type of notice to those sitting in that section.

God forbid you have to stay sober for 3 hours on a Sunday afternoon with your son.

 

[denverpatsfan]

Doesn't surprise me that the stadium does not properly make note of the restrictions for that section. Just another bush league aspect of this stadium IMO.

Family sections were a good idea in the days of rowdiness and debauchery of Foxboro Stadium. I believe that the makeup of the fan base has changed quite a bit at the new place. Also with the ever present threat of having your tickets revoked for even looking the wrong way has cut back on much of the antics.

But if they insist of having it, they ought to let the fans know who have spent their hard earned money on tickets and possibly a overpriced adult beverage.

I wonder if there are "family" sections in the club and luxury box parts of the stadium.

 

[Pujo]

God forbid you have to stay sober for 3 hours on a Sunday afternoon with your son.

I love people who always know what's best for others. He wasn't complaining about the family section, he was complaining that it was unmarked, which is a valid point.

As for NEM, his comment makes perfect sense: I don't do it so I don't see why anyone else has to.

Personally, I like what Portugal did a few years ago for some soccer games: they banned alcohol but said the police wouldn't enforce marijuana laws in the stadium. Everyone got stoned and officials said they had the fewest brawls in memory.