Lower ticket prices would have filled Camden Yards

The Orioles’ first back-to-back playoff return in 25 years featured a disappointing turnout with plenty of empty seats (“Orioles fans were ‘ready for a super crowd.’ Why didn’t Game 1 sell out?” Oct. 2). While some might point to apathetic fans, the culprit could be a questionable pricing strategy by the Orioles and their ticketing system.

The cheapest seats available to the public were initially listed for over $100 with fees. However, a last-minute email from the Orioles the day before the game offered these same seats for $50. This suggests a missed opportunity to make the game accessible from the start and not alienate families by trying to squeeze every dollar of profit possible.

Hopefully the new Orioles leadership will move away from this dollars-first mentality and prioritize the fans — and even the players who probably would have appreciated a packed house to support them.

— Eric Hastings, Elkridge

Who wants to watch ineptitude?

I am a longtime Orioles fan (I remember the 1966 World Series). However, by the middle innings of the second playoff game, I was ready for the season to end. My frustration level in watching this team over the last months had reached its limit. I’m certain many feel this way and that contributed to the below-capacity attendance at the playoff games. Who wants to watch such ineptitude?

The O’s hitters’ inability to grasp the fundamentals of the game is mystifying. How can these men, who have played this game their entire lives, be so inept? They clearly have no understanding of the “advanced fundamentals” (bunting, hitting a sac fly, hitting behind a runner to move him over, etc.). They are clueless as to the basics of hitting a baseball. How many times do we see them take a hittable first pitch strike right down the middle, then flail at pitches over their head?

Where are the coaches? Maybe the team needs to attend a Winter Instructional League to remember what they apparently have forgotten since Little League. We are supposed to be watching the best of the best. It sure doesn’t look like it.

— Larry Schmidt, Timonium

Bad omens and big mistakes

That the best color man, Jim Palmer, was not in the broadcasting booth was an ominous omen on the outcome of this series. Secondly, the fact that Adley Rutschman was selected ahead of Bobby Witt Jr. in the draft four years ago looks like a big mistake, as it appears Rushman is a mediocre player while Witt is a superstar. To think the left side of the Orioles infield could have been Gunnar Henderson shifted to third base and Witt at shortstop for the next 10 years is to dream.

— Wayne Caplan, Eldersburg

Orioles need to restructure

I don’t believe any Baltimore Orioles fan would have thought this, the worst outcome. It stings. The O’s exposed their baseball demons and warts. The offense has gone into hibernation with the bats. I have never seen nearly an entire team experience the ravages of the dreaded slump at the same time. Incomprehensible.

In Major League Baseball, the rung just under “rebuild” is “restructure,” and I believe that’s where the Orioles stand. There will be lots of questions regarding this team during the offseason. One thing is for sure, this team is not where Mike Elias envisioned it to be.

— Patrick R. Lynch, Towson

There’s always next year

Stricken Orioles fans after another postseason collapse should console themselves with General George Patton’s words: “It’s not how far you rise, it’s how high you bounce after a fall.”

In the last two postseasons, our young team has been done in by teams with artfully added veterans, particularly pitchers. Our new owner and his admired, but young, leaders surely get the message.

As gut wrenchingly sad as this year’s two losses were, they were, in my veteran grizzled appraisal, dazzlingly beautiful games of classic baseball artistry. So, we lost. I’d rather lose beautifully than “win ugly.”

There’s next year and many after.

— Stan Heuisler, Baltimore

There are reasons to cheer

We are bound to read about the woes of the O’s on these pages now. Top of the order strikeouts. Too many men left on base. Opposing players walking and stealing bases.

But the Orioles have given us a full season of competitive baseball. We’ve let the players down a bit by not filling Camden Yards this week. Light rail and the parking situation could also be improved.

Baltimore is in the enviable position of having two professional sports teams that are now expected to make the playoffs each year. So as our Maryland fall colors change from orange to purple, it’s time to cheer on the Ravens. Go, Baltimore!

— Eric Greene, Annapolis