Yet another Tipping question

I won a contest which gave me the opportunity to take batting practice at Safeco Field yesterday afternoon (which was awesome!). As part of the prize, the contest winners got to have dinner in the Diamond Club, which is the VIP area behind home plate, normally reserved for those who are paying >$200 a ticket.

The drinks (beer and liquor) were free as well. No one (including myself) was tipping the bartender. Should we have? My thought was that the free bar a part of the contest prize and tip for the staff would be paid by the contest sponsor. There were no tip jars out, but I don't think there would be under normal conditions.

Under normal circumstances the Diamond Club staff get tipped very well by the regulars. I should also note that there was no Seattle Mariners game yesterday so the staff came in to work solely for this event.

I'd still tip the bartender, she'd tell me if they weren't supposed to be accepting them for that.

First, AWESOME on the batting practice! That must have been a trip! I was pretty good when I was young, until I saw a real curve ball, when I was about 17. Then I wasn't very good. Machines, or a live pitcher?

Second, I would have probably done like you did, including wondering afterward if I should have tipped.

You'd have loved my knuckler, Mosca, if a curveball scared you as a seventeen year-old!

They had a live pitcher. I'm guessing he was throwing about 50mph for us from in front of the mound. I whiffed the first few then got the timing and bounced a bunch of grounders to 2B and SS (I'm a lefty) and had a handful of nice line drives to LC and RC. I never was much of a ballplayer and this is the first summer I haven't played slow pitch softball. Each contest winner got about 25 pitches or so.

We also received hats and jerseys with our names on them, got to use the visitors clubhouse, and Dave Henderson (former Mariner and current Mariner broadcaster...multiple World Series appearances with the A's) was there to mingle and sign autographs. He signed my jersey and a ball and I got a few photos with him.

I'm feeling guilty about not tipping now. oh well I guess.

Quote: Mission146

You'd have loved my knuckler, Mosca, if a curveball scared you as a seventeen year-old!

It didn't scare me, it pissed me off because I couldn't hit it. I wouldn't have been able to hit your knuckler, either. There's a reason some people get paid to play, and others don't; I was the "don't" part of that reason! But woe to you if you threw a fastball over the plate.

At my age, in my condition, I'm certain I couldn't hit 50mph soft toss.

Back to the original question:

I voted "Cheapo" but I could be wrong.

My vote was based upon the notion that when using a casino comp at a restaurant, you would generally tip about as much as if you were paying for the meal.

The reason I could be wrong is, as someone in the catering industry can tell you, often, a private party is priced where the host takes care of all the gratuities.

On the OTHER other hand, who sponsored the contest / event? Knowing that, would help evaluate whether or not they took care of the tips.

The contest was sponsored by KeyBank and the Seattle Times.

Quote: Mosca

At my age, in my condition, I'm certain I couldn't hit 50mph soft toss.

I wouldn't call 50mph soft toss. That's getting close to the maximum speed most (untalented) adults can throw overhand.

Lets see if these image links work..sorry for the large size.. I couldn't figure out how to embed the video

Quote: dwheatley

I wouldn't call 50mph soft toss. That's getting close to the maximum speed most (untalented) adults can throw overhand.

I hit 61 on the gun at Miller Park on Monday. I was happy I didn't totally embarrass myself, but I was disappointed because I used to throw high 60s, maybe 70. I'm 30 now, I'm getting old.

Then my brother-in-law showed me up by hitting 77, he's only 23 though.

Those were some great pictures, your batting stance is still pretty solid!

As an aside, my pitches were all in the low/mid-50's and still are, but I ONLY throw the knuckleball.

Thx mission. They had a speed pitch set up as well and my 'fastball' topped out at 56 lol.