You might want to call the Astros directly...they usually have good blocks for certain parties...but the upper deck at the Juice Box (Minute Maid Parl) SUCK! Might as well be in Humble to watch the game...or in a space shuttle with the "scorned lover" astronaut...dangit, why do all those chicks come from Houston?

Agreed. Field level or bust...or perhaps Club, if they'll cut us a decent group discount on tix. The nosebleed section is crap.

Agreed. Count me in.

I am a maybe - I will have to check back in the middle of March to see if I can fly by then!

I agree too. I'll check and see what I can find available for larger groups on those dates.

Have updated the First post to reflect March 30-31 time-frame, hotel choices, and confirmed and possibles. Have also set an arbitrary Feb 28th RSVP deadline, so that we can reserve decent seats at the ballpark about a month in advance. If the crowd is large enough, we can also reserve the upstairs portion of the Saucer for the group. Accordingly, February 28th will also be the date by which a definite time/schedule is announced.

Will now cross-post in Community in the hopes of roping in a few more out-of-towners for this Not Quite Micro-DO.

EDIT - And for what it's worth, here's the link to the thread in community. However, I have requested there that all RSVPs be made in this thread, for ease of tracking.

Forgive me if we've discussed this already, but do we have a sense as to when we're going to make a final decision on the date? Fares from DC to IAH are going up as we speak for that weekend and I'd like to pull the trigger on a ticket as soon as possible.

Can we take a snap vote, now that we've got it down to 2 dates (March 30 or 31)? I had planned to wait until Feb. 28th to finalize, to give as much flexibility as possible to considerations of out-of-towners...but if fares are creeping up, perhaps it's best to take a vote now and let the chips fall where they may.

Personally, I would vote for Saturday, March 31. It would allow most out-of-towners to fly in Fri. Evening after work, if need be, without missing drinks or the game (whole point of the DO). I also like the idea of quick pre-drinks, followed by a leisurely afternoon ballgame, followed by proper post-game drinks & debauchery.

Edited to Add - Additionally, though in the past Saturday Micro-DOs generated antipathy (why would anyone return to downtown on the weekend, after work has finished)...I think this scenario is different. There's an excellent reason to come in on a Saturday: A ballgame!

I have a preference for Saturday as well.

Saturday.

I vote for Saturday.

I can attend. Prefer Saturday.

^

Duly noted in first post. Looks like the preference for Saturday is well-nigh unanimous by the confirmed attendees. Let's just call it Saturday, then. The Saucer opens at Noon Saturdays, and the game (a few short blocks away) is at 1:05pm. Then, of course, post-game drinks would be in order.

Sounds good. Just held a ticket - arrive IAH Friday evening, leave Sunday morning. ^ Hotel TBD - probably one of the airport properties.