For the past 2 seasons, there were several benefits to being a season ticket holder:
1) Primo seats, with seat-backs and arm rests.
2) Assigned seating, so we didn't have to get there super early just to get a good spot.
3) A discount on prices, as compared to buying each game separately.
I am very concerned that some or all of these benefits are now gone.
Although I have not been to the new stadium at GMU, their website does have some pics of it, in their softball
Media Guide (PDF):
If you zoom in on page 2, you'll notice that the permanent seating appears to be bleachers. I have to say that I'm shocked at this, considering the amount of state money that was spent on this renovation. I understand that this is still a college facility, but who knew that we were being spoiled with the rented seats during 2007/8? So, Benefit #1 is gone.
I have seen bleachers that had some sort of numbering system (I think Westfield's football bleachers did). I remain hopeful that this will be the case here, at least for the Glory games, so we can still have assigned seats. General Admission changes everything, and would eliminate Benefit #2.
The new Glory website lists single-game ticket prices at $8. With only 20 home games this year, this would mean $160 for the entire season. Obviously, those of us who paid $325 at the end of last year for this year's tickets are anxious to hear about some sort of refund. And I certainly hope the team will be honoring the Buy-2009-Get-2010-Free from last year also. So Benefit #3 remains to be seen.
It's really a shame that some cost-cutting on the seating will be taking away from what otherwise looks a really nice facility.