81-year-old Dodgers fan says he can’t get tickets because he doesn’t own a smartphone

The story

It has been reported that an 81-year-old Dodgers fan can no longer purchase or receive tickets because he doesn't have a smartphone, according to a tweet from Suzie Rizzo that circulated on Hacker News. The post alleges team or venue ticketing processes now require a mobile device or app to access seats. The image shared has prompted a flurry of sympathy and anger online — an elderly fan left out in the cold by tech.

A sign of the times

This isn't an isolated gripe. It has been reported that sports teams and venues have increasingly moved to digital-only ticketing and app-based entry over the past few years, a shift pushed by convenience, scalping concerns, and pandemic-era changes. But convenience for some can be exclusionary for others. Older fans who never adopted smartphones — or who prefer paper tickets — now find themselves bumped to the margins. Sound familiar? It’s the digital divide showing up at the ballpark.

What comes next?

Fans and advocates are asking a blunt question: should a love of the game depend on a phone? Some teams offer paper tickets, will-call, or guest services, but policies vary and it remains unclear whether the Dodgers (or the venue involved) intend to change anything. The emotional sting here is obvious — this is about more than a game; it’s about belonging. If franchises want to keep long-time supporters in the stands, they’ll need to make access as human as the hand that waves the foam finger.

Sources: twitter.com/suzierizzo1, Hacker News