I've ranted on this topic before. Twice actually. Over a year ago... maybe two now that I think of it. But you see, nothing has changed. In fact, it's gotten worse. Why do idiot commisioners insist on wearing rose coloured glasses, and eating scented pellets so their crap don't stink when it's obvious that there are serious problems in their sport?
In case you're still wondering what the hell Canuck is blathering about now, I'm speaking of Bud Selig and the Florida Marlins.
In their game against Cincinnati yesterday, there were 347 fans in attendance. That's not a typo. Three hundred and fourty seven.
Apparently the Marlins closed down the top two decks earlier this season.
My local Calgary Vipers get a bigger turnout than this. Foul balls for everyone!!!
Sweet jesus Bud, wake up and smell the contraction. The game will be better for it. The quality of play will increase. And the fans will be happier.
Oh wait, none of that matters to you does it?
13 comments:
Some are trying to blame the current hurricane for the numbers. But farther up the coast, in more direct line with the storm, a Jupiter Hammerheads (Class A) double header counted 1400+ in attendance.
Or maybe people are staying home and saving their money because next season they'll be able to watch baseball in an actual baseball stadium instead of the decades-old football stadium that is in the middle of nowhere which the Marlins have been subjecting their fans to for the past 18 years.
They are getting a new ballpark - and I think this was announced just the day before. It would be really hard to change plans Tuesday night to go to a day game on Wednesday - especially if you're worried about locking down you're house and possessions because of an impending hurricane in addition to the jobs most people have.
I'm not saying I disagree with you on expansion, but I don't think this is the best example. The Marlins are getting a new stadium - we'll see how well they draw over the next couple of years.
good points about the crappy stadium and the new venue. However, the Marlins have been doing this for years now. At least three that I know of. Why would they even get a new stadium with attendance like this?
And I am sure that attendance will be very good when the new park opens.... but will the people be there for the Marlins?????
My goodness... I almost can't believe that... Now that I have a A-level minor league ballpark within walking distance to my house I go to less major league games. I like the smaller crowds that the Marauders draw - around 2,000 fans in a ball park that holds 6,000 fans. In the mid-90s I used to drive down to South Florida to watch the Fish. It was a long and miserable drive and I don't miss it, but I feel compelled to make the road trip now. I can show up, call my buddy Wicked and say "hey, I'm at the game, are you?" "Yes, how can I find you?" "Well, I am the other guy here at the game..."
Yeah... This sucks and I am embarrassed for my state. Sucks. I do love the "WRGMG" posts... Cheers from Floriduh!
Florida is just a crap franchise. Mishandling their superstars, blowing up the team after the Series' and forever being content to play in a park that doesn't draw crowds. Why should they care? They get paid from profit sharing anyway. There is no incentive for them to be better.
But hey, now we can watch the EPL. You know, that perfect league where if you suck ass you just get the ENTIRE team sent to the minor leagues. That's the most perfect league design ever. Baseball has enough teams to do the same. Sorry Padres, nice park, but you're outta here. Just my thoughts.
You know Guy, I'm starting to think we may be brothers from different mothers...
I don't think that game is a very good example of why the franchise should be folded, given the crappy circumstances with jerking the schedule around, etc. The Iowa Cubs had a game with ZERO attendance, dude:
http://mikeresponts.wordpress.com/2008/06/16/iowa-cubs-baseball-game-has-zero-fans/
Damn haters...... Hey we might not show up to a game that was changed over night to a double header,so i don't fault the peeps for not showing up.... Some of us have to work down here Cap!
The "official" attendance figure for that game was over 20,000 (based on tickets sold).
I can hardly blame people for not coming out to a hastily re-scheduled weekday day game when there were hurricane preparations to worry about.
And before you try to contract the Marlins, let's see how many people come out next year when they finally get to play in a stadium that was designed for baseball.
I blame Bettman.
You'd think people would come out just to see exciting young star Logan Morrison.
Oh wait...
Yeah, I'm also not sure how the hell the organization swung a deal to swindle millions of dollars into getting a new stadium. The attendance has been awful for years. The Buccos have been less relevant for much longer, and they still draw a decent crowd. Why go see a crappy ball game when you can lay on the beach? It's the same reason I'll never be convinced that people from Southern California actually care about football...
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