81yo Dodgers fan can no longer get tickets because he doesn't have a smartphone

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Access & smartphone-only ticketing

  • Season tickets now require use of the MLB/Dodgers app; previously the team reportedly printed season tickets for this fan for an extra fee but stopped doing so.
  • Single-game paper tickets are still possible at some stadiums, but not for season passes.
  • Several note this is becoming common for major sports, concerts, and even amusement parks.

Justifications vs. skepticism

  • Pro-app arguments: combats scalping/forgery, allows tracking of excessive resales, reduces printing costs, aligns with how “almost everyone” already buys and transfers tickets.
  • Skeptical view: for a known season ticket holder, fraud could be solved by ID + whitelist; digital-only mainly facilitates data collection, tracking, marketing, and resale control, not customer benefit.
  • Some argue “moving barcodes” and phone-based identity were built specifically to prevent easy screenshot resale; others argue paper with server-side validation, RFIDs, or ID-checked badges would suffice.

Age, ability, and responsibility

  • One camp: at 81, he’s had years to learn; choosing not to adopt smartphones is opting out of modern society, and vendors aren’t obliged to maintain legacy flows.
  • Opposing camp: this is ageist and ignores cognitive decline, low literacy, motor issues, and the genuine difficulty of modern UX for seniors; dignity means not discarding those who can’t keep up.

Privacy, lock-in, and surveillance

  • Strong concern about being forced into Apple/Google ecosystems as a condition of everyday life.
  • The MLB Ballpark app is cited as having multiple trackers and extensive permissions; many see the requirement as surveillance- and monetization-driven.
  • Users object to tying access to cultural events to proprietary spyware-like apps and to risk of account lockouts.

Broader trend: smartphone as gatekeeper

  • Examples: parking that can only be paid by app, Brazilian municipal services, banks and credit lines requiring app/SMS verification, digital-only public transit and tickets.
  • Some already forgo concerts, games, and services rather than accept smartphone mandates.

UX & accessibility

  • Many anecdotes of elderly relatives struggling with phones, 2FA, gesture UIs, and constantly changing flows.
  • Touchscreens can fail for older users (dry skin, damaged fingertips); accessibility settings and “simplified launchers” help but don’t fix complex app flows.

Legal, policy, and alternatives

  • Debate over using/expanding ADA: some say tech-illiteracy or unwillingness is not a disability; others argue age-related impairments and tech barriers merit accommodation.
  • Proposals: grandfather existing season ticket holders with ID-based entry; will-call printing for a small fee; physical RFID tokens or badges; regulated requirement for non-smartphone options, priced only at true marginal cost.
  • Many emphasize the Dodgers missed an easy PR win by not making a humane exception for a 50‑year fan.