How some fans got free tickets and I got ‘paid’

There will be some unfamiliar faces in the stands at Chase Field this summer, fans for whom the 19-year-old ballpark is brand new. A son will take his 84-year-old father, a widower, to his first big league game. Three young sons of an ailing former military man will attend games with their grandfather.

A stay-at-home dad, his wife and two kids will spend time together at the ballpark. They were suggested to me by the woman’s father, who called his son-in-law “a consistent, loving influence” in the children’s lives.

A week ago, Arizona Republic sports columnist Dan Bickley and I offered to buy some folks baseball tickets.

The Arizona Diamondbacks had just announced a ticket promotion called the “Ballpark Summer Pass,” which allows a fan to see every home game in June and July (25 in total) for $50.

It’s a great deal, but a bargain is not a bargain for those who can’t afford it.

So we decided to help out. I asked readers to send me a note describing why they or someone they know should get passes.

In the days since then I’ve heard from those who would like to attend games and, even better, those who would like to help others attend games. However, owing to the unusual conditions of this particular deal it was easier for me and Bickley (and the generous Diamondbacks) to cover the cost.

To those who wanted to contribute I would say, “Thank you.” If you’re still looking to contribute, an alternative might be to make a donation to the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, which does great work in the community.

Or perhaps we’ll revisit this notion of providing tickets to needy fans next season, when we can better plan out a program.

I’d also like to thank those who said that what Bickley and I are doing is generous, and to make one small correction: You’re wrong.

Bickley and the Diamondbacks certainly acted out of generosity. But for me it was pure selfishness.

There is nothing more precious to an individual than his or her story. I asked you to share them with me, and you did.

A young father spoke of taking his 3year-old stepson to an Arizona Fall League game, a much more affordable ticket, and how he longed to take the boy to the big league ballpark. A young man asked for tickets so he could attend games with his dad, a teacher who has supplemented his income for years with other jobs. A wife wanted to catch a few games with her 84-year-old husband, who played semi-pro ball back in the day. A grandmother hoped to reward a grandson struggling through some difficult health issues. It goes on. We live in coarse and contentious times. “The United State of Acrimony” one reader called it.

But for days, now, I’ve been reminded, again and again, of the grace, goodwill and generosity of our neighbors. I wasn’t the giver in this transaction. I was the recipient.