Letters: Feeling gouged by the Phils

AS A LIFELONG Phillies fan, I was ecstatic when they won Game 4 on Monday night.

Yet my wife and I were ready to endure Game 5, for which we were fortunate enough to score tickets through the Phillies playoff ticket lottery. But Game 5s being what they are, and with both these teams able to score runs, we were happy to forgo the risk of a Game 5, even though it was a home game. There was also the financial consideration: The tickets were $90 a pair, along with a $20 processing fee. Steep, but we figured it would be a great time.

Well, Game 5 was not to be. Being on the hook for $110, I immediately went to the Phillies Web site for information about refunds. To my surprise, the ticket price ($45 times 2 = $90) would be refunded, yet the "processing fee" ($20) was nonrefundable. I find it deplorable that the Phils would gouge their fans in such a way.

Do the math: If 10,000 fans bought two tickets to Game 5, that's $200,000 the Phillies raked in without playing.

José Galloza, Philadelphia