I usually don't use this space to discuss tickets, or ticket prices, or sales packages, etc., except to mention the paid attendance in the game stories.  But the Nationals issued a press release this afternoon that kinda blew me away, and in light of the Stephen Strasburg injury the marketing department is being pro-active in trying to increase season ticket sales for next year.

From the release: 

The Washington Nationals today announced the new “Buy 2 Get 2” season ticket offer for 2011, which gives Nationals fans who place a deposit on two new 2011 season tickets in select seating areas two additional 2011 season tickets FREE.

The “Buy 2 Get 2” offer is limited to select seating categories, but fans can also place a deposit on new 2011 season tickets in ANY section of the ballpark. As a bonus for their loyal support, they will “Finish in Style” by receiving FREE tickets to all remaining home games this season.

The release then went on to detail the specific sections the offer was good for, Sections 108, 137 and 235.

Now, I'm not suggesting you run out and buy Nats season tickets.  But if you were in the market, you really can't beat this deal.  You get four full-season tickets for the price of two.  Plus, the rest of this season for free!

Season ticket sales have been down the last several years despite moving into state-of-the-art Nationals Park.  Overall attendance this season has been boosted, first by the Nats getting out to a 20-15 start, then the early June arrival of Strasburg.  But with Strasburg on the shelf most likely all of 2011, I guess the team decided to get in front of that and offer this incredible deal to entice folks to get out to the ballpark.

From the Press Release:

WASHINGTON NATIONALS HOST BALTIMORE ORIOLES IN FINAL 2009 EXHIBITION CONTEST

First-Ever Preseason Full Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Day Will Take Place Earlier In The Day

The Washington Nationals will host the Baltimore Orioles in the only 2009 exhibition game at Nationals Park on Saturday, April 4 at 6:05pm. A tradition that began when the team returned to Washington in 2005, this will be the fifth exhibition game between the two foes in the District.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival has also named the Nationals exhibition game as one of its official events for the first time. The Nationals will host the first-ever Full Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Day at 1:00pm, an exclusive opportunity for full season ticket holders to celebrate the start of a new season.

The Full Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Day is a two-and-a-half hour event designed to thank the team’s full season ticket holders for their support.

The Nats Express will run from RFK Stadium beginning at noon to accommodate those attending the Appreciation Day from 1:00pm – 3:30pm. The shuttle will run continuously all day through one-and-half hours past the end of that evening’s game. Nationals Full Season Ticket Holders will access the park by using the event tickets that were mailed to them earlier this month.

Nationals players, coaches and Manager Manny Acta will be available to sign autographs on the Main Concourse and pose for photographs on the field’s warning track during the event. Select concessions will be available for purchase; and the Nats Family Fun Area in Center Field, which includes the Exxon Strike Zone, Playstation Pavilion, GEICO Racing Presidents Photo Area, Build-A-Bear Workshop and Rookies Concession Stand, will be open during the event. The Center Field Gates will open to all fans for the evening’s game at 3:30pm.

The Nationals have invited city officials to take part in the pre-game ceremonies, which will begin at 5:30pm, following a press conference to announce a new initiative involving the city’s public high schools. Nationals Team President Stan Kasten and District Mayor Adrian M. Fenty will participate in a pre-game presentation regarding the new initiative.

City Council Chairman Vincent Gray has been invited to participate in the presentation as well. Mayor Fenty will continue the tradition of the District’s Mayor delivering the exhibition game’s ceremonial first pitch. The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard will then present the colors, prior to the performance of the National Anthem by the Greater Mount Calvary Sanctuary Choir. City Representative from the National Cherry Blossom Festival will deliver the line-up card to the umpires and take the field as the “Starting 9”. Council Chairman Gray has been invited to start the game by announcing “Play Ball”.

Tickets for the exhibition game are available for purchase through the Nationals Park Box Office, located at Half & N Street, SE, by visiting nationals.com or calling 888.632.NATS (6287). Over 4,000 complimentary tickets were given to elected officials, non-profit groups and civic organizations for distribution throughout the city. All distributed tickets have no face value and cannot be sold.