Compadres and other stuff

by jbox on Aug 11, 2005 9:00 AM PDT in News

Does anybody else have the first generation Compadres card? I still got mine from 1997. It's a little chewed up from being in my wallet since then, but in pretty good condition considering. It even says "Jack Murphy Stadium" on it.
Back when the whole Compadres thing started, my old roommate Paul and I figured out a trick. Actually maybe he figured it out and showed me. They used to have those kiosks with 3 compadre machines next to each other. If you waited until there wasn't a crowd then swiped your card quickly through all three, then you would get 3 times as many points. I guess there was some lag time in the computer system. So every game we would rack up the points. Even with all the extra points we still didn't get anything any good. Just posters and pins and the like. Did you know that at the Murph you could enter the stadium for free after the 7th inning? We lived close so we would drop in and see the end of games and swipe our cards alot of the time. Hell it was free parking and free 2 innings of baseball. It was great. Can you enter Petco for free after the 7th? Anyway...
By the end of the season we had saved up for the Stadium tour. We were so psyched. We thought it would happen during a game or something, but it turns out that it was all empty and there were hundreds of other winners. It was a bit of a let down. Sure we saw the club house and the under ground batting cages but it was just okay. Then they let us walk on the field, but it was already a little torn up for the coming football season. Anyway I guess it doesn't pay to cheat. My compadre totals are still screwed up to this very day.
Last night on "Sports Lists" (hosted by Summer Sanders), they were talking about the greatest personal streaks in sports. They got Orel Hershiser's 59 consecutive scoreless innings. Of course they show him get the record vs. the Pads. But the best part was when Summer Sanders says "From the looks of him, I bet he had some scoreless streaks in high school too". BURN! Man that was funny. Then she says "oh that was mean".
Florida pulled the old Hidden Ball Trick last night. The key is the rest of the team can't blow it. If the pitcher starts demanding the ball then he ruins everything. He just walked back around the mound. If he touches the dirt of the mound without the ball then the ball is dead. It was very sly and took a lot of good acting by the entire infield. Well played. Stuff like this makes baseball fun.

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help?

Can we print out that picture of your Compadres card (barcode and all) and rack up some points for you? I will if it works, and you buy me nachos. And a beer.

by mato on Aug 11, 2005 9:30 AM PDT reply actions

Oh man

You're totally going to get jbox arrested by the Pad Squad. They'll catch jbox at the next game, tie him up and throw him in the Pad Squad Dungeon.

by Dex on Aug 11, 2005 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Bound and held captive by the Pad Squad

Why do I get the feeling jbox might actually enjoy that?

by teemcee on Aug 11, 2005 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions

Ummm

cuz I would. It wouldn't take long for Stockholm Syndrome to go into full effect.

by jbox on Aug 11, 2005 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions

I was scared of the pad squad dungeon

so I drew some extra lines in the barcode so the Pad squad couldn't figure out who I was and take all my past points away from me. I did a lot of work to get those dumb points.

It's the thought that counts though mato, and I appreciate it. You come to the Gaslampball pizza feed and eat pizza fo' free!

by jbox on Aug 11, 2005 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Paranoid

I love how paranoid Jbox is about his secret identity. Like someone from the organization is gonna be like, "YES! we finally got him!"

Great stuff

Also, I think most stadiums let you in for free after the 7th. They open the gates wide so they have big exit points for people who leave then. It's easier to just let people in. That doesn't normally go for big games, or stuff in the postseason.

That hidden ball stuff was awesome last night. Good job by the umpire too. He coulda tipped someone off, but he played it cool....real cool.

I think that hidden ball moment was one of the best ones because it probably helped decide that game. 8th inning, 1 out, first and third, down by 1 run.

by thenerdhater on Aug 11, 2005 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions

That's why I couldn't be an ump

I'd start giggling once I saw the hidden ball trick start to take effect.

by Dex on Aug 11, 2005 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions

I got the OG Compadres Club Card

But mine's from 2002. I was far too lazy to sign up and swipe a card before that year, but I was inspired in '02. Good year.

I think they have red jacketed guards by the large exit's at Petco. Unlike at the Q where those roll up doors would go up, and it was a free for all.

by Emcee Emmerson on Aug 11, 2005 10:27 AM PDT reply actions

that's a shame

why do they have to suck the fun out of "sneaking in" after the 7th inning.

by jbox on Aug 11, 2005 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Everything looks the same on the card?

Does yours say Qualcomm then on the back?

by jbox on Aug 16, 2005 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Question for locals...

My sons traveled to SD to see Tuesday's game. Normally, we'll get to the park early - like say 3:00PM for a 7:05PM game - so we can watch batting practice, infield, etc. This time, Petco officials said the gates wouldn't open until 5:30PM. Of course, by 5:30PM the Pads have already taken batting practice and they're in the clubhouse tanning or eating or whatever it is they do before the game. Hence, there is no time for player / fan interaction.

Is this now the policy at Petco or maybe they were being more strict with the potential crowds who were coming out to see Pedro?

Just curious. I've emailed Petco but I haven't received a response yet.

by teemcee on Aug 11, 2005 10:54 AM PDT reply actions

That's weird

Though the last time I went early to a game, they didn't open the gates until 5.

If I were a wagering man, I'd say that PetCo had an event at the park before the game that wasn't letting out until then.

Freakin' PetCo, dude. They pay for the naming rights and they think they own the place.

by Dex on Aug 11, 2005 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions

On a positive note...

My mom reported receiving hugs from Red Ruff and Blue Mew. So I guess that's something.

by teemcee on Aug 11, 2005 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Par for the course these days, unfortunately.

There's no watching Padres BP because they don't open the gates in time... at least not the times I've been and tried to get there early, only to wait outside with the other folks.

by Emcee Emmerson on Aug 11, 2005 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions

It's Official: No Face Time With Fans

This from the Petco Park A to Z Guide:

GATE TIMES
Many ballpark gates open for admittance 1 1/2 hours prior to the first pitch for Monday through Thursday games, and 2 1/2 hours before the first pitch for Friday through Sunday games. The Downtown Gate (located at 8th and J Street) and the Balboa Park Gate (located at 9th & J Street) open 2 1/2 hours prior to the first pitch and allow guest access to the Park at the Park and Padres Power Alley.

Gate times are subject to change for special events such as Opening Night and post-season play."

I wonder why they changed the policy. I'll bet Nevin had something to do with it.

by teemcee on Aug 11, 2005 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions