Another losing season will result in one benefit for Twins fans: The club announced Monday that season ticket prices for 2014 will remain unchanged for a third consecutive season.

The season-ticket renewal drive is underway, and it offers these selling points: Priority to purchase All-Star event ticket strips, early access to watch batting practice with no extra charge and a new ticket exchange program.

Twins President Dave St. Peter said market research indicated that the Twins might have been able to raise season prices "in certain areas," based partly on the club hosting the 2014 All-Star Game and the perks season-ticket holders receive for that game.

"But based on our struggles on the field, we felt it was in the best interests not only for our team, but ultimately a tip of the cap to our fans to leave prices where they're at," St. Peter said.

He said the meeting at which the decision was made "was relatively quick … and not a lot of debate."

The All-Star Game is the centerpiece of the renewal drive. All-Star ticket priority will be based on several factors, including season-ticket tenure, size of ticket play (premium, full-season, 40- or 20-game) and number of tickets held.

The club also announced Monday that in 2014, season-ticket holders and one guest will have exclusive access to early batting practice on select Monday through Thursday home games; gates for weekend games already open at 5 p.m., allowing fans to take in batting practice.

The 2014 ticket drive also offers season-ticket holders the chance to exchange tickets for games they are unable to attend for specified future games; complete details of that program will be announced at a later date.

Dennis Brackin