There was an element of bad timing when the Orioles released details about the changes to Birdland Memberships last season. What had been in the works for years, team officials said, was released during a major stumble for the club.

The reactions from many fans weren’t positive. Catie Griggs heard them.

“What we heard from fans, in many cases, was, ‘Well, show us what you’re doing? Show us why we should be supporting this?’” said Griggs, the Orioles’ president of business operations.

In Griggs’ view, the front office has helped answer some of those questions, particularly with the signing of first baseman Pete Alonso for $155 million over five years. The active winter — which may still be incomplete, given the lack of a front-line starter and questions about the bullpen — has been a positive in the Orioles’ quest to pack Camden Yards.

“One of the things that has been really exciting over the course of the offseason is that there has been significant movement on bringing in new talent and exciting talent and long-term agreements,” Griggs said. “I mean, you had [agent] Scott Boras sitting here in the warehouse, which is something that perhaps hasn’t been seen in the past. We have an exciting coaching staff that’s in place. And, as we have demonstrated our continued commitment to making sure we’re playing top-tier baseball, our fans have acknowledged that. There is definitely excitement in this market. We are seeing that in ticket sales.”

Griggs didn’t offer specific sales figures, but she said: “Ultimately, they wanted to see that we were as committed as they are to this team, and I think my hope, and what we’re seeing in terms of ticket sales, is that we’re delivering that.”

The midseason announcement of changes to the Birdland Memberships rankled some of Baltimore’s most loyal fans, who told The Banner’s Kyle Goon all about it in August. Some of the complaints stemmed from a need to move seats or face price changes, as well as the reduction of benefits.

There are new benefits as part of the modified season ticket packages, such as a guaranteed giveaway gate for season ticket holders. Griggs said her email has been full of fans since the announcement of a Tupac bobblehead who are grateful for the guaranteed giveaway gate.

Still, some of the goodwill that was lost with the ticket changes — which included a departure from 13- and 29-game ticket packages for 20- and 40-game plans — will require more than a bobblehead to mend.

The front office’s commitment to strengthening the roster helps, as would winning games. So, too, will some of the upgrades coming to Camden Yards. Griggs said the stadium is on track to be ready ahead of opening day, because there’s an exhibition game against the Washington Nationals on March 22.

“We are over the moon to get to show everyone what’s in place here,” Griggs said.

That includes a new sound system, main scoreboard and video board, ribbon boards on grandstand facades and a club-level bar. The premium club behind home plate will open as well.

One improvement that Griggs emphasized is the addition of more TVs in the concourses, offering fans a way “to stay connected with the game” when they’re grabbing food or a drink.

“There is an investment in that experience throughout the concourses, in addition to bringing back a lot of the [concession] favorites, as well as bringing in some fun, new additions we’ll be in a position to talk about over the next month or so,” Griggs said.

Despite the stark rise in season ticket prices for some fans, club officials at the time said prices are increasing by about 3%.

There has also been sticker shock for some fans seeking single-game tickets through the Orioles.

Dynamic pricing models are nothing new to the Orioles or baseball in general. In 2013, The Baltimore Sun wrote that the club was expanding its variable-pricing system for marquee matchups. And again for 2026 the demand for certain games (particularly on giveaway nights) is leading to sharp increases from standard prices, even in the upper deck.

Griggs often highlights the affordability of attending Orioles games, and she pointed to $19 lower-level tickets on weeknights as an example. But that’s not the case for all games.

“It’s part of the value of a season ticket membership, right? You get all of those games as part of it, and you get it at the best price that anyone will ever get them at,” Griggs said. “It’s no different than what you’ve been seeing for decades, not only in sports, but think airlines. The reality is, there is somewhat of a demand base, because what we don’t want to see is a scenario in which we can sell a ticket for $10, but if we sell a ticket for $10 that immediately will be resold for $80, that’s not good for anyone either. We want to deliver tickets to our fans in the most affordable way possible.”

Griggs continued: “This is a space where we want to make sure all of our fans have the opportunity to come and have an incredible experience at a price point that works for them, but we also recognize we can’t do that the same way for every single game. That’s just unfortunately not how the world works.”