Dodgers Ticketmobile Hits the Streets

Frank McCourt didn't want to spring for shuttle buses to take fans to Dodger Stadium this season, but his organization is now sending out a ticket truck to sell game tickets to local communities. Launched yesterday in a publicity campaign that featured rapper Snoop Dogg, the truck will appear in L.A.-area neighborhoods and public events, where its operators will sell tickets to home games without the service charges normally racked up by fans when they buy online. In other words, it's as though the stadium's box office is coming to you. The Dodger organization claims this is the first time this kind of marketing has been tried. Now if only the truck would follow the team to away-game cities -- or at least those played in San Francisco . . .

No word, though, if the truck will also sell weak beer and overpriced merch. Not too long ago we visited the stadium to watch the Dogs trounce Houston and, passing the security checkpoint, noticed staff taking water bottles off fans and tossing them into a giant receptacle. This seemed odd, because bottled water is about the only consumable you can bring into the stadium -- that, and any picnic meal you can pack into a 14-by-14-inch container. The rule is that factory-sealed containers are okay, although this was the first time we'd noticed a giant collection of confiscated water bottles (and refillable, company-logo water bottles) -- all of them apparently full. Had anything happened recently to make the stadium ban water?

After some calls and emails to Dodgertown, L.A. Daily was told that there's been no change in the Dodgers' water-bottle policy, although the no-seal, no-bottle policy is strictly enforced. In case you're wondering, the ballpark (which the city had to force to install free drinking fountains after it opened), sells bottled water if you want to stand in line for it. Price? Small bottles (16.9 oz): $3.75; large (33.8 oz): $5.75.