These last-minute fans took their chances outside Chase Field for World Series tickets
David Wells stood against a lamp post Wednesday just outside Chase Field as he held a white sign with a sincere plea written in black marker.
"I NEED ONE TICKET (FOR ME)," the sign read. In smaller writing at the bottom, the sign noted, "I won't resell it. I promise."
Wells was among a scattering of people looking to buy tickets to World Series Game 5 between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers. Their efforts unfolded just steps away from the stadium's gates with only minutes left before batters took to home plate.
The 69-year-old north Phoenix resident and 20-year transplant from Los Angeles recently came to terms with where his baseball loyalties lay.
"As they (Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers) were playing each other (during the National League Championship Series), I'm realizing, I'm actually rooting for the DBacks," Wells said.
He had one person approach him with an extra ticket on the ballpark's second level priced at $220, but Wells was only willing to pay $100.
"It was a good deal, but I don't have that much money," Wells said. "I may not get in but that's OK."
Just a few feet away, Tony Myers, 36, of Avondale, stood decked out in a Sedona red Diamondbacks jersey with a matching cap. Myers was at Game 4 on Tuesday after buying a seat 26 rows behind home plate on a resell website.
He had been watching the prices until they dropped to a favorable rate: $300.
"I bought it last second. The price just skyrocketed down," Myers said as fighter jets soared above the stadium.
Myers was scouring the premises for a $200 ticket.
Others decided to end their hunt sooner.
Jeremy Isom was on a packed Valley Metro train from work, chatting it up with a fellow passenger when the 56-year-old resident was inspired to try and attend the game.
"This one guy goes, 'What are you doing tonight?', I go, 'Nothing.' He goes, 'Why don't you just go.' I said, 'Sure,'" Isom said.
A scalper offered him $400 a ticket with a minimum of two passes purchased as part of the deal.
"I don't love baseball that much. I just came on a whim," Isom said, a smile peering from behind his gray handlebar mustache. "For the experience, I was willing to spend 200-300 bucks."
Still, he sprinted across East Jefferson with Chase Field behind him. But he was undefeated as the energy of the game took over him.
"It's the World Series. It's right here," Isom said in an elevated voice.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fans seek resell tickets to World Series Game 5 outside Chase Field
