Reds Seeing Increase At Gate During Recent Hot Stretch

Reds Averaging 21,756 Fans For 16 Games, Up Slightly From '08

The Reds are averaging 21,756 fans for 16 games at Great American Ball Park through May 10, up slightly from an average of 21,713 fans for 17 games during the same time period in '08. The team, which is currently 19-14 and just one game out of first place in the NL Central, drew an average of 22,407 fans for a recent five-game homestand against the Brewers and Cardinals. That included a crowd of 40,651 for Saturday's game against the Cards, the largest crowd outside of Opening Day (THE DAILY). The increase comes as the BUSINESS COURIER OF CINCINNATI's Steve Watkins reports through the Reds' first 11 home games, attendance was "down 6[%] from the same number of dates a year ago." The Reds' average of 21,460 during that span ranked 24th in MLB and was "down from an average of 22,825 after 11 home dates a year ago." Despite the team's early success, fans "might be skeptical after the team's eight straight losing seasons." Also, the loss of LFs Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn from last season's team "might cause some fans to wait and see." The Reds have "taken steps to attract fans." They have "offered a value menu for concessions," and "froze ticket prices from last year and slashed some seats to $5." Reds VP/Corporate Sales Bill Reinberger said that corporate sales "haven't taken as big of a hit, because many of those are locked into multiyear contracts." The team has also "added four major new deals this year," including Bob Evans, KOI Auto Part, Scotts Co. and Kroger Co. Reinberger added that stadium suites are "mostly on multiyear deals," and "only one or two are vacant now" (BUSINESS COURIER OF CINCINNATI, 5/8 issue).