spring training attendance

by oakath on Mar 2, 2009 9:46 AM PST

are we witnessing the beginning of the end of fan over-exuberance march madness in cactus country? just as the spring training mega stadiums come on-line. what is with the paltry attendance in the first week this year? economy stupid, i know, but...tempe diablo, my favorite target, as it's the site of my worst sports scalp 2 years ago - a weekday sellout pander to the ticket masters - has averaged 2700 for 4 games. only the cubs seem to be in their normal spring training 10k range. a ton of empty seats for yesterday's mets game in florida on a sunday on mlb network...in desert for first sunday of seasons' games, only dodgers first game in glendale a near sellout. other games not even close. and that includes cubs at giants in scottsdale. any thoughts?

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Flu?

Actually we’re still trying to go part of next week — 3/11-16 or so. So selfishly, this is good news.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Mar 2, 2009 9:50 AM PST reply actions

It's early and it is the economy

and, Dogfather, you should go!

"And sometimes, when it seems like all hope is gone, Life tosses you a special gift of a baseball game" . 7/10/08 BaseBallGirl headline

by LongTimeFan on Mar 2, 2009 10:20 AM PST reply actions

The economy is the biggest factor

But there are some others.

As LongTimeFan said, it’s early. Spring training attendance usually starts a little slow and then peaks in the second and third weeks before tailing off at the end.

Also, the addition of a full extra week of games this year is dilutive. I doubt that too many additional people would travel to Arizona for spring training, but the ones who would be going anyway can choose to make their trip at any time over five weeks, rather than four weeks as in the past.

But…it’s mostly the economy. I would not like to be in the hotel business right now.

I think regular season attendance will probably hold up pretty well as people look for activities close to home this summer. One might say, “We were thinking about taking the kids to Disneyland for a few days but we don’t want to part with all that money. Instead, we might stay in the Bay Area and do a few fun things like going to a couple of extra A’s games.”

by Soaker on Mar 2, 2009 10:34 AM PST reply actions

I think it is mostly early...

No one plans their Spring trip for February. It will pick up.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Mar 2, 2009 10:35 AM PST reply actions

am headed down the 14-18

and got tired of paying $5 to Ticketmaster in fees, so i thought i’d just see what I could find before the game. So like Dogfather, I’m slightly ok with this too.

by buddahead9 on Mar 2, 2009 1:24 PM PST reply actions

Available TIckets

I’ve got great season tickets down at Muni, and I’ve got two games I’m looking to sell, one is the 23rd v. the Cubs the other is the 1st of April against the Cubs, the prices is $50 for the pair of tickets, they are in lower box 9, row 2, right on the aisle. Click on my info to see a posting I had about these seats earlier and contact me if you’re interested. I’ll be there from the 5th – 22nd, so if you want these tickets let me know.

by Rickey35 on Mar 2, 2009 2:58 PM PST reply actions

worst economy in 70 years

has something to do with it.. as it does Cabrera for 4 mill and manny still unsigned.. and fremont deal dead. This is a near-depression and it will affect the sport in profound ways for at least the next 2-3 years.

by windyfelix on Mar 2, 2009 5:37 PM PST reply actions