Crowd in Tampa

[indcolts18288]

I know the Rays fans are fair weathered to put it nicely. But I did a fantasy draft with the Rays and I can only get about 25K fans in there on average. I've done promotions and where I was at 20K it brought in about 5K more fans so it helped. But 25K??????? That's like half of who shows up to Wrigley even when the Cubs totally suck! So does anyone have any advice as to how to pack the place. I did a fantasy draft as I mentioned and then did some trading so I have plenty of star players and A rated prospects to go around. Longoria, Crawford, Dunn, Strasberg, Peavy, Aroldis Chapman, Papelbon etc.

[Jgainsey]

Re: Crowd in Tampa

I don't know man, I doubt that the game takes into account how awesome your fantasy team is. I'd imagine that they probably try to mimic real life attendance levels to some degree.

Just keep in mind that even while the rays have been competitive the last few years, they've only averaged around 23,000 in attendance in real life. So what you're saying actually sounds just about right to me.

In years past, the best way to fill your home park has been to win. If you're in first place and you're keeping ticket/parking prices fair, more fans will start to show up. Though I wouldn't expect to start racking up the sell outs anytime soon at The Trop.

[RyanLeaf16]

Re: Crowd in Tampa

I know the Rays fans are fair weathered to put it nicely. But I did a fantasy draft with the Rays and I can only get about 25K fans in there on average. I've done promotions and where I was at 20K it brought in about 5K more fans so it helped. But 25K??????? That's like half of who shows up to Wrigley even when the Cubs totally suck! So does anyone have any advice as to how to pack the place. I did a fantasy draft as I mentioned and then did some trading so I have plenty of star players and A rated prospects to go around. Longoria, Crawford, Dunn, Strasberg, Peavy, Aroldis Chapman, Papelbon etc.

Another uninformed big city fan who only gets his/her info from BSPN.

First, Tampa as a market has only about 1/3 of the larger cities in terms of total population to draw on for attendance. Second, current unemployment numbers are about 15% in the bay area. Keep in mind that 15% number only accounts for those collecting unemployment benefits in the area. Local economists have estimated that another 8-10% of the population is unemployed/looking for work. Finally, if you look at the local broadcast numbers for TV broadcasts the Rays rank 3rd OVERALL in terms of viewership. Meaning, people are watching and are interested in the organization, they just can't afford to go.

Perfect example would be last year when the Rays gave away free tickets and had a huge turnout. People want to go to the Trop, they JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT! Stop getting all your info from BSPN and assuming the bay area fans are fair-weathered.

[RedsoxnBruins]

Re: Crowd in Tampa

Its prob just tampa dude, they had to GIVE AWAY 20k tickets a couple years ago when they were deep in the playoffs! What a shame.

[treyraq]

Re: Crowd in Tampa

I wondered about this, also.

I always do fantasy draft franchises, and I'd like to see the better teams draw the better crowds, but it seems like the crowds are pre-programmed according to real life...am I wrong?

[dickey1331]

Re: Crowd in Tampa

Perfect example would be last year when the Rays gave away free tickets and had a huge turnout. People want to go to the Trop, they JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT! Stop getting all your info from BSPN and assuming the bay area fans are fair-weathered.

You could give away free tickets to any team and they would have a full house. Having people show up to a free game really doesnt prove anything.

[indcolts18288]

Re: Crowd in Tampa

Another uninformed big city fan who only gets his/her info from BSPN.

First, Tampa as a market has only about 1/3 of the larger cities in terms of total population to draw on for attendance. Second, current unemployment numbers are about 15% in the bay area. Keep in mind that 15% number only accounts for those collecting unemployment benefits in the area. Local economists have estimated that another 8-10% of the population is unemployed/looking for work. Finally, if you look at the local broadcast numbers for TV broadcasts the Rays rank 3rd OVERALL in terms of viewership. Meaning, people are watching and are interested in the organization, they just can't afford to go.

Perfect example would be last year when the Rays gave away free tickets and had a huge turnout. People want to go to the Trop, they JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT! Stop getting all your info from BSPN and assuming the bay area fans are fair-weathered.

OK. Not really interested in your unemployment rates and such. The economy is bad everywhere. Does that explain the terrible attendance at Jacksonville Jaguar games? Tarps all over their stadium to cover empty seats. Even when they were having good seasons they were locally being blacked out on TV. Yet, somehow, the Gator football team fills Ben Hill Griffin Stadium every game. Florida is a college state, that's what's wrong. I wasn't trying to offend but baseball games aren't as expensive as football games. And pulling the economy card isn't going to work with working class America.

[K_GUN]

Re: Crowd in Tampa

Another uninformed big city fan who only gets his/her info from BSPN.

First, Tampa as a market has only about 1/3 of the larger cities in terms of total population to draw on for attendance. Second, current unemployment numbers are about 15% in the bay area. Keep in mind that 15% number only accounts for those collecting unemployment benefits in the area. Local economists have estimated that another 8-10% of the population is unemployed/looking for work. Finally, if you look at the local broadcast numbers for TV broadcasts the Rays rank 3rd OVERALL in terms of viewership. Meaning, people are watching and are interested in the organization, they just can't afford to go.

Perfect example would be last year when the Rays gave away free tickets and had a huge turnout. People want to go to the Trop, they JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT! Stop getting all your info from BSPN and assuming the bay area fans are fair-weathered.

jaded? LOL

I always thought that most baseball fans from the Tampa/St Pete area were yankees fans first & foremost.

[Sublime12089]

Re: Crowd in Tampa

jaded? LOL

I always thought that most baseball fans from the Tampa/St Pete area were yankees fans first & foremost.

Not most, but they do have a sizable following down here. In addition to the economy as mentioned above there are issues with the trop as far as where it is located, that I won't go into, but if you know the area you are aware of what I am talking about. Also, alot of it, I believe is tradition and lack therof in the south. We dont have the people who were taken to Wrigly/Fenway/Wherever by their father, who was taken by his father, so now he takes his son. We have none of that. It is sad, but is just how it is.

[Mabster]

Re: Crowd in Tampa

The tradition thing is a good argument and one I've heard before. A friend of mine that lives in the Tampa area also says that Florida is populated by transplants from all over the country so most peoples loyalty lie elsewhere and don't care a whole lot for the local teams.

[TheShowster]

Re: Crowd in Tampa

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in my experience attendance has been very indicative of if you are winning or not. It might take a world series or two, but they'll show up eventually.

[Acedeck]

Re: Crowd in Tampa

The tradition thing is a good argument and one I've heard before. A friend of mine that lives in the Tampa area also says that Florida is populated by transplants from all over the country so most peoples loyalty lie elsewhere and don't care a whole lot for the local teams.

I can understand this theory as well. Florida is home to people from all over the country, all looking to get away from the cold weather, especially in retirement years. Combine that with the lack of tradition, and it's easy to see why it's harder for them to sell out a stadium.

[indcolts18288]

Re: Crowd in Tampa

Also, alot of it, I believe is tradition and lack therof in the south. We dont have the people who were taken to Wrigly/Fenway/Wherever by their father, who was taken by his father, so now he takes his son. We have none of that. It is sad, but is just how it is.

Now that, I can definitely understand.

[maddeninyoeye]

Re: Crowd in Tampa

OK. Not really interested in your unemployment rates and such. The economy is bad everywhere. Does that explain the terrible attendance at Jacksonville Jaguar games? Tarps all over their stadium to cover empty seats. Even when they were having good seasons they were locally being blacked out on TV. Yet, somehow, the Gator football team fills Ben Hill Griffin Stadium every game. Florida is a college state, that's what's wrong. I wasn't trying to offend but baseball games aren't as expensive as football games. And pulling the economy card isn't going to work with working class America.

Definitely too much BSPN. everything you said about the Jags was 100% wrong. Keep watching BSPN kid...

[Perfect Zero]

Re: Crowd in Tampa

I would assume that a lot of it has to do with a number of factors. Believe it or not, the economy does play a major role with how a team puts fans in the seats. The Cubs can do it because there is a lot of tradition and people are still willing to pay good money to see the club. Florida isn't in the straights that Illinois is in, but they still are not doing as well as other states. Add that to a team that has only been in the area for nearly fifteen years, and it's hard to get people to become regulars.

The Texas Rangers live in one of the biggest markets in all of the United States but still faced attendance problems for a long time. Winning really helps (just look at the Spring Training figures alone) as North Texans are seen as fickle fans. Here, you can only put butts in seats when you are winning. Heck, even the Dallas Cowboys are having problems selling tickets to Jerryworld.

Every market is different. Your team has over a hundred years of history with a story to tell (i.e. curse). Tampa is in a market where the Yankees base their Spring Training and have a lot of "ex-pats" living in the area. Every team faces different circumstances, and unfortunately that's what it is for Tampa.