Monday’s 26th Annual Phillies Phestival to strike out ALS is sold out for the first time and some people are taking that opportunity to make a buck or two for themselves.
"The Phillies and the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the ALS association have been partners for 26 years, raising over 11 million dollars, much of it from the annual Phillies Phestival," said John Weber, Vice President, Sales and Ticket Operations for the Phillis. "This year’s Phestival promises to be yet another fun-filled and enjoyable evening for everyone."
Almost he entire Phillies organization steps aside from baseball each season to raise money to fight against ALS, a.k.a. Lou Gehrig’s Disease, a devastating neuromuscular condition. The evening of auctions and autograph sessions lets more than 7,000 fans meet some of their favorite Phightins, get a John Hancock or two and some photos while raising money for charity.
But, this year some "fans" could be raising money for their own pockets by cashing in on Phillies Fever even though the cost of admission goes to great a cause like the fight against ALS.
Phillies Phestival autograph session passes, admission tickets and photo shoot passes are all up for sale on Craigslist with some sellers looking to recoup what they paid for the non-refundable event but other sellers are looking for more.
For basically what amounts to a 25 donation fans bought pass to the Phesitval Monday night at Citizens Bank Park. They will get an official program, an autograph from a pre-selected Phil and a coupon for an autograph from a Phillie of the fan’s choice.
But on Craigslist the same package is selling for twice as much on one posting.
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Add in a $40 Roy Halladay photo booth pass, where fans get the chance to have their picture taken with the Phillies ace, and the price goes up even more.
One posting is asking for $300 for two admissions with autograph session tickets (face value $50) and one Halladay photo booth pass ($40).
That means that a seller is asking for 300 bucks for what was basically a $90 charitable donation. Who knows if they actually plan on giving that $200-plus profit back to the ALS cause but in the free market that doesn’t seem likely.
At least another seller is throwing in the Halladay bobblehead doll given away at the game Tuesday night to their $100 package that includes a photo with Doc but no autograph sessions.
"As an organization, we are disappointed that a few fans are reselling Phestival tickets, however, like any other event ticket, this is their choice and beyond our control," the Phillies said.
Right or wrong with each Phillies sell out it seems like fans are willing to pay more and more to get close to the Phightins. And sellers are will to make as much as they can off fans stricken with Phillies Fever.
At least anyone who cashed in on scalping tickets to a charity event can right the possible wrong by donating that money to charity. Fans have until 8 p.m. Monday to make a donation to fighting ALS at Phillies.com.
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