Sports

Astros College Night offers affordable fun

Most students use their UH ID to get into school functions or check out out books at the library, but they can add saving cash on baseball games to that list.’

Discounted tickets to a Houston Astros game are available, but they come with a couple of catches. ‘

These aren’t the usual ‘catches’ associated with some too-good-to-be-true offers. Instead, it’s a chance to catch a free concert and fireworks show and maybe a foul ball or home run.’

The Astros are bringing back College Night this year, with the first of two dates coming May 8 against the San Diego Padres.’

Houston college students can purchase discounted tickets at http://www.Astros.com/college or in person with a valid student ID. Prices range from $6 to $21 and are available in five different sections of Minute Maid Park.

College nights come with extra value for the fans. Those who take advantage will be treated to a pre-game concert by Houston-area band Three Fantastic and a postgame fireworks show. ‘

Cody Arnold, Astros group account executive, said he believes the offer is mutually beneficial to both the organization and students.

‘We’re trying to get new people interested in the Astros,’ Arnold said. ‘It’s entertainment and, hopefully, they’ll come to future games because they realize what kind of atmosphere we have.’

That atmosphere, along with the discounted tickets, is what broadcast journalism junior Bryant Quiroga said attracted him to the promotion.

‘You get the bonus of going to the concert and getting some entertainment other than just the game,’ Quiroga said. ‘The price is hard to pass up, and it’s better than going to the movies – if the Astros win, that is.’

Business graduate student Justin Malone said he was surprised to find out the discounts were offered for some of the more expensive seats located along the first and third baselines.

‘I heard about college night before, but I didn’t realize that the seats weren’t limited to just the upper-deck,’ Malone said. ‘I usually don’t sit ground level, so this will be nice. I’ll definitely be back for the next one.’

Psychology sophomore Jessica Thomas added that the ‘non-baseball’ activities before and after the game were what prompted her to attend her first ever game last year.

‘I finally went to check out the Astros, and with all this extra stuff going on, it kind of makes the game fun, win or lose,’ she said. ‘I even learned what a double play was, I think.’

UH students will also get to see a Cougar at work, though it might be a little different from the job market most students will enter. Former standout outfielder Michael Bourn, who lettered at UH from 2001 through 2003, should be manning his usual center-field post for the Astros. ‘

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