Rays "Fans" --- Y'all are Pathetic!
Connecticoin
Posts: 12,868 ✭✭✭✭✭
in Sports Talk
Your team just beat the Angels and now have the best record in baseball, and you had a scant 15,900 fans watching.
Do you folks even want a baseball team anymore? I can't see any justification for the State or City to build a new stadium with that kind of sorry support.
Do you folks even want a baseball team anymore? I can't see any justification for the State or City to build a new stadium with that kind of sorry support.
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Seriously, when will you yanks understand that you don't need to have a full house and a trillion dollar payroll to win rings?
Sincerely,
The Marlins
Must be nice to have a championship caliber team and be able to just walk up and get primo seats for $20 each.
Sincerely,
Scott Kazmir, Evan Longoria, and the rest of your First Place Rays.
Edit: Ask yourself, is baseball SO important to you that you'd be willing to risk your families life by driving in 60+ mph wind and rain, down the highway, to get there?
Original path...
Now.....
However, to have one of the greatest stories in baseball this season and to still average only 21,338 fans per game (26th in MLB) is pretty sad. Only Oakland, KC, Pitt, and the other Florida team draw fewer fans per game.
<< <i>
However, to have one of the greatest stories in baseball this season and to still average only 21,338 fans per game (26th in MLB) is pretty sad. Only Oakland, KC, Pitt, and the other Florida team draw fewer fans per game. >>
It is sad, but the main reason for that is most people didn't buy into the hype until June/early July. The Trop isn't big enough (36,048) to really sway numbers a whole lot by having sell outs either.
The last homestand is a pretty good indication of where we're at now.
108 Fri, Aug 1 box TBR DET W 5-2 26,403
109 Sat, Aug 2 box TBR DET W 9-3 36,048
110 Sun, Aug 3 box TBR DET W 6-5 (10) 33,438
111 Mon, Aug 4 box TBR CLE L 2-5 17,049
112 Tue, Aug 5 box TBR CLE W 8-4 20,063
113 Wed, Aug 6 box TBR CLE W 10-7 27,533
Only equals out to 26,000 and change, on average, but that's still about 10,000 more than we averaged last season. It's a gradual process but hopefully a lot of people will come around sooner or later.
If I was a Rays fan I'd be saving up for all the playoffs games including the road trip to see their team in the playoffs.
As a Red Sox fan you shouldn't be rippin on Rays fans -- It's not good Karma.
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BOBBY ORR
THE BEST THERE WAS!
THE BEST THERE EVER WILL BE!
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<< <i>It must be a Florida thing...Besides college football, the state's 'fans' don't support anything. >>
Bucs have been sold out since 98.
JS
<< <i>I agree with Goot, you can't hold these games against them because of the storm.
However, to have one of the greatest stories in baseball this season and to still average only 21,338 fans per game (26th in MLB) is pretty sad. Only Oakland, KC, Pitt, and the other Florida team draw fewer fans per game. >>
Alright, understandable -- I totally forgot about the TS. I would like to see the remaining home games sell out or nearly sell out -- they deserve the support.
<< <i>
<< <i>It must be a Florida thing...Besides college football, the state's 'fans' don't support anything. >>
Bucs have been sold out since 98.
JS >>
Sucs and Jags get good fan support. Don't know about the 'Fins -- but I would not blame even die-hard Dolphin fans for staying away.
<< <i>
<< <i>It must be a Florida thing...Besides college football, the state's 'fans' don't support anything. >>
Bucs have been sold out since 98.
JS >>
He said besides "college football" . . . oh wait, the Bucs are a professional team?
Anyway, the Rays only draw 51.2% of capacity at home and they don't "travel well" either. Their road games are sold at a 62.2% capacity which is 4th lowest in MLB and so their overall draw is the worst in baseball--in spite of being tied for the best record in th game.
Attendance Stats
JS
I was actually pretty pleased with the 15,900 considering the circumstances. There SHOULD be more there tonight since most of the storm is over my way on the east coast of Florida but I wouldn't put money on anything over 20K. I know my sister's going so I'll have to give her a call and see what the crowds like.
<< <i>
Anyway, the Rays only draw 51.2% of capacity at home and they don't "travel well" either. Their road games are sold at a 62.2% capacity which is 4th lowest in MLB and so their overall draw is the worst in baseball--in spite of being tied for the best record in th game.
Attendance Stats >>
I'm not trying to go against your argument at all, but ESPN uses the wrong capacity. I believe they still have it listed in the low 40,000 range even though the Rays changed it a few years ago. The top 10-15 rows of the upper deck are all obstructed view because they are partially blocked by the catwalks. The new ownership that took over in 2006 knew that nobody would buy those seats so they put tarps over them, and the capacity is now 36,048 which makes the percentage about 60%. Still not very good, but it's just one of those FYI things that most people probably don't know about.
And like I said, you won't see a very big jump in average attendance based on this season. They didn't even reach 1st until June/July and spent the first the first month toiling in the bottom of the standings. The real test, attendance wise, will be next season.
<< <i>yeah remember they won a ring in 2002? refresh my memory...what team do you root for, or are you waiting for week 16 to tell us?
JS >>
I root for whoever is on my fantasy team.
Goot, you must be right that ESPN calculates attendance based on a 40,000+ capacity. Hopefully things will improve. I hate watching games in TB because it's depressing how no one is there. It feels like a minor league game sometimes.
During their remarkable run the Braves would routinely have tons of empty seats in the stadium. People got spoiled with them I guess. In Florida the fan base is pretty pathetic. You dont have the rabid, knowledgable folks like St. Louis, NY, Boston. fan base does.
<< <i>
I'd rather keep being a part of the laid back, "stupid" fan bases that the Braves and Rays have over the extreme and radical fanbases up in NY or Boston. The love of the game up there is almost so intense and strong that it seems to suck the fun out of it IMO. I consider myself a "diehard" fan for all sports I follow closely but, it's just a GAME people! >>
True. Life is more intense up here. People are on edge, we're not laid back like ya'll are down there. I can see your point, but
Fenway park is like a sold out rock concert every night, where expectations are high, and enjoyment and drama go hand and hand.
I think if you lived in New England you'd understand, and by the same token, if we lived in Atlanta, we'd understand.
To those who understand, no explanation is necessary...........
To those who don't understand, no explanation would suffice.
Although, the same thing that is said about MLB, NBA, NFL, etc. up there can be said about college athletics down here. Maybe I need to live out west where they have everything
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>It must be a Florida thing...Besides college football, the state's 'fans' don't support anything. >>
Bucs have been sold out since 98.
JS >>
Sucs and Jags get good fan support. Don't know about the 'Fins -- but I would not blame even die-hard Dolphin fans for staying away. >>
The Jags don't. They had to put that crazy looking tarp over the top rows of seats all around the stadium for that 'big' Monday night game against the Colts last year to cover all of the unsold seats.
<< <i>
The Jags don't. They had to put that crazy looking tarp over the top rows of seats all around the stadium for that 'big' Monday night game against the Colts last year to cover all of the unsold seats. >>
Correct on that one. The Bucs are the only NFL team in Florida that has great support, ticket sales wise. That sucks for me though when I want to go to games and have to scalp 'em!!!
And as "pathetic" as Florida sports fans are, the city of Tampa is actually pretty good. The Lightning sell out just about every game, and they were atrociously bad last year. Like Kevin said, the Bucs have been sold out since they moved into Raymond James Stadium and the USF Bulls get about 6K a game for bball and 50K a game for college football games even though the entire football programs only been around for about 10 years. Tampa Bay Storm arena football draws big crowds as well. The only thing that doesn't draw well in Tampa Bay are the Rays and they aren't even in TAMPA! The Rays will continue to grow but like I've said countless times, it takes time and tradition! In New York, you're born a Yankee, or if your parents hate you a Met
I promise, I'm not crazy!
Edit: Ask yourself, is baseball SO important to you that you'd be willing to risk your families life by driving in 60+ mph wind and rain, down the highway, to get there?"
Tampa/St. Pete received no more than average rainfall over the last several days, and no tropical storm force wind. Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties did not open hurricane evacuation shelters nor did they issue any mandatory evacuation orders.
The storm went well south and east of the metro area.
The attendance was no attributable to the weather.
Keith
no one said you were stupid, please don't blow things out of proportion. From experience I have seen games in KC, St.Lous, Cleveland, Seattle, NY, Boston and Baltimore, Toronto & Montreal. Nothing comes close to Boston, NY or St. Louis. there is a different feeling, a different atmosphere in the stadium. The energy and drama just doesnt exist like it does in Boston. I dont care for the Sox but watching a game in Fenway is exhilirating. When every seat is filled and all the folks are cheering and loud. If I wanted laid back and pastoral I'd watch golf on Tv.
Im rooting for the Ray's and I'd love for them to make the playoffs. I just wish the fans APPRECIATED their efforts a bit more. If your team is in first place, make some time to come support them. (and i dont mean going when there is a hurricane, thats just stupid)
They should be drawing 30,000+ -- for an exciting first place team like that. If that cannot draw fannies in the seats, then the team should move, and forget about the new stadium.
<< <i>19,200 is still pretty sorry.
They should be drawing 30,000+ -- for an exciting first place team like that. If that cannot draw fannies in the seats, then the team should move, and forget about the new stadium. >>
They did forget about the new stadium. They put it off for a few years for financial reasons. Another reason that I thought of is that attendance may have been down a little due to it being the first week of school....but who knows. I think you can put blame on Fay for the Monday and Tuesday crowds but the Wednesday is unexcusable.
Just remember that Fenway didn't sell out until a few years ago........even though they had successful seasons going to the playoffs, winning the wildcard, and a tradition going back nearly 100 years.
I personally want to know why you all care so much, this thread is pointless....Yes, Rays fans are fickle but they're slowly starting to turn around. The fact that one of these threads gets made every other month is beyond me....