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Indians Fans Fight in Depressing Essay Contest for Free Tickets

Jan 12, 2010, 10:30 PM UTC

I preface everything I’m about to write by saying it’s a noble thing the Indians are doing, giving away what will amount to 1,200-plus free tickets to fans, but if this isn’t proof that Cleveland’s main export is crippling depression, I don’t know what is.â†µ

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â†µâ†µThe Indians, like just about every other team, sell tickets in packs that basically amount to mini-season ticket packages. You can’t afford 81 games, but you can do 12, hence their 12 pack of games for as little as $256. Not bad. But not everyone can afford it, so the Indians have those who’ve hit hard times in mind:â†µ

â†µâ†µâ‡¥[F]or those feeling a bit strapped on the cash front in these tough economic times, the Indians are offering the opportunity to win free tickets as part of their 12-Pack Essay Contest. Twenty-five applicants will be awarded four Pepsi 12-Pack ticket packages based on their response to the following: â†µâ‡¥â†µâ‡¥In 500 words or less, please explain your current economic circumstance and what winning an Indians 12-Pack would mean to you during the 2010 season. Please incorporate your passion as a Cleveland Indians fan and love for baseball in your response. â†µâ‡¥
â†µâ‡¥â†µâ‡¥Each fan who applies will automatically receive a voucher for four lower-deck seats to a game in April or May, excluding Opening Day. The entries will be judged on the following criteria: quality of writing (33 percent), demonstration of economic need (33 percent), and knowledge of and passion for the Indians (34 percent). â†µâ‡¥

â†µâ†µâ†µI have so many thoughts here, but first, kudos for the breakdown on how the essay will be scored. Quality of writing is equally important to your horrifying sadness, but WOO-HOO TRIBE enthusiasm is graded out as one percent more important. (I get it, fractions are tough, and it would’ve been difficult to say one-third.)â†µ

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â†µAnd believe me, I fully expect the Indians will get more than enough stories to give away these 25 ticket packages. Cleveland hasn't been immune to the recession, so I'm sure people need the help like they do everywhere else. But can you imagine the poor intern who has to sit and read depressing story after depressing story? And worse yet, you have to figure they go out and verify some/all of these stories, lest they be the victim of fraud and someone with no soul. That will be equally fun.â†µ

â†µâ†µI’m just saying, rather than judging these things, maybe they should just draw at random. What’s the only thing that could make a person who feels they’ve hit rock-bottom feel even worse? Being told even their failures aren’t great enough by judges from a pro sports team.â†µ

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â†µEnter your essay of infinite sadness here.â†µ
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â†µ(*At least everyone entering gets tickets regardless. As I said, kudos to the Indians, but the contest makes me a little sad with the judging and all.)â†µ

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This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.

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