Beltway Blues: Orioles, Nats Among Teams Drawing Fewer Fans
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| Nationals Attendance Down 32% From '08 Pace |
More than half of the 30 MLB teams "are seeing smaller crowds than a year ago," seven weeks into the '09 season, according to a front-page piece by Jeff Barker of the Baltimore SUN. The attendance declines "come at a time of year when attendance is relatively low anyway because kids are in school and the weather is iffy." The Orioles through 22 games at Camden Yards are averaging 21,833 fans per game, down 10.6% from a 24,412 average through 22 games last year. Meanwhile, the Nationals through 19 games are averaging 20,041 fans at Nationals Park, down about 32% from last year's pace. The Nats "reduced season ticket prices from last year on 7,500 seats to try to attract more fans," but it is "hard to overcome" a record of 12-28. However, with the Orioles facing the Nationals this weekend in an interleague series, Barker writes "at least [they] have each other." The Nationals averaged more than 38,000 fans for a three-game series against the Orioles at Nationals Park last June, while the Orioles averaged more than 31,000 last May at Camden Yards for a series against the Nationals. The Nationals "have tried to stoke the rivalry through marketing and by poking fun at the Orioles." Orioles Dir of Communications Greg Bader: "It's good for a potential rivalry between the two clubs" (Baltimore SUN, 5/22).
NOT ALL DOOM & GLOOM: In N.Y., Anthony McCarron notes while attendance at the new Yankee Stadium this season is down 6,823 fans per game from the last year, there are "several success stories in other markets." The Rays, following their World Series appearance last season, are "drawing 5,806 more fans per game," while the Royals are seeing an "uptick of 3,890 more fans per game thanks in part to a renovated" Kauffman Stadium. McCarron notes teams are "being creative in finding ways to bring in fans as part of [MLB Commissioner Bud] Selig's 'Fan Initiative,' a program designed to make the game more affordable." THE DAILY Editor-at-Large Terry Lefton: "Attendance is more of a concern than ever for teams. But do I hear desperation? No. But I do hear people thinking of new ways to get people to the park. People in sports are definitely concerned" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/22). Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, David Murphy notes Phillies attendance at Citizens Bank Park is up 10% over last year, and they are "one of four teams to see a double-digit increase," including the Rays (32%), Marlins (26%) and Royals (16%) (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 5/22).
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