So many, so close! Scrappy = closest. ICE was the first answer -- and considering I saw a half dozen people collapse this last season, I'm not sure why that's still not a thing. WALL NEXT TO THE WOMAN'S BATHROOM -- was the second answer. For some reason, I still miss coming in and walking over to see who tapped to pitch that day. Gonna play off Notexgator for today's question: WHAT WAS THE LAST YEAR THAT YOU COULD JUST STROLL IN FOR FREE AND SIT ANYWHERE? (once my row pitched in together and ordered Dominoes pizza delivered)
Scrappy is correct. New KSP opened in Feb 2019 and this started the charge for the seats. 2018 had a number system to enter based on how long you were in the Gator T Shirt Club and if you gave any money to the program back then.
The Diamond Club members were let in first, to get their seats 1 hour before the game time. This was started before the 2018 season due to the demand. You signed up at the Diamond Club before the start of the season based on how long you belonged to it. I was lucky as Walt and my number was 52. Because the demand was so great for the small amount of "Shady" seats, no saving of seats was permitted. Therefore, anyone not in their correct position once the line was let in, you went to the back of that line with the non number fans. The line was kept in check by the ushers who were present about 1.5 hours before game time. I never saw any problems or words exchanged between the fans. The system seemed pretty fair as those of us who had supported the team for a long period of time got first dibs in the best seats. When they went to the season ticket policy, the donors received the priority based on the amount they gave. After that, then the priority system from the Diamond Club took precedent over first time seat purchasers. As you know now, unless you have a season ticket, I hope you enjoy the berm or the aftermarket or get a freebie from a friend!
Really interesting piece of KSP history -- I had no idea that was going on. I arrive shortly before game time and am fine with sitting in the sun.
OK, I have to admit that I'm not sure of the answer to this one so let's discuss. I am pretty sure that there were paid/reserved seats in the old KSP with the benches. I remember that some people who had season tickets in our row got "bumped" because there were fewer people per row with the new chairbacks than with the old bleachers. So if I am remembering this correctly, there were definitely season tickets with the benches at the old KSP. OTOH, I'm pretty old and my memory isn't what it once was, so maybe I have this totally wrong.