Major League Baseball attendance

[GwinnettNole]

Two articles, linked below but first some snippets on what the Orioles are doing--- free upper deck tickets to kids 9 and younger. The attendance drop from 79.5 to 73 million is interesting but I have to wonder what is the main culprit, is it a) people, especially kids just don't like baseball anymore or b) prices have finally done baseball in?

I'd go with B. Why?

Because on average isn't attendance down in all four of the historically major sports in America? We all know the NFL is struggling. The NBA I'm not sure but I do know the prices aren't cheap. I can't speak about the NHL.

Thoughts?

From the articles:

"in the context of Major League Baseball’s annual-revenue boom amid a decade of flagging attendance, which has dipped from a record 79.5 million in 2007 to less than 73 million last year"

"It’s not going to bring back the days of 45,000-person crowds at Camden – not yet at least. This is a long-term play in a sport t hat has struggled to cultivate a younger base as the average age of its fan runs inverse with its attendance – up and up, to its current 57 years old."

"The Orioles, the Diamondbacks, the Rockies – they’re at the forefront, along with a few others, reaching out to families, cutting prices, insistent the game won’t just to get back to the 79.5 million-fan threshold but exceed it"
https://sports.yahoo.com/baltimore-...dote-baseballs-attendance-woes-142016925.html

https://sports.yahoo.com/marlins-attendance-bad-least-being-125010252.html

 

[FSUdawg]

I think prices play a part, as does the improved experience of watching on TV at home. Why go to a game now when you can watch in HD and flip to other channels periodically, especially during commercials trips to the mound and other slow times of the game.

MLB is fortunate to have a huge TV contract and rather good ratings (for MLB anyhow). So, the money continues to roll in.

 

[kc78]

For me, I hate watching baseball on tv but love going in person. There's not a whole lot I enjoy more than going to a game with my son. Luckily the minor league team here in Pensacola is good, relatively inexpensive, and has a great stadium.

Professional teams though are ridiculous with some of their prices. It's not just tickets, but 5 dollars for a bottle of water is insane. Baseball teams need to go back to having affordable tickets and at least some affordable concessions. We can't all afford to drop 200 - 300 dollars to take our family to a game.

 

[NDallasRuss]

Professional teams though are ridiculous with some of their prices. It's not just tickets, but 5 dollars for a bottle of water is insane. Baseball teams need to go back to having affordable tickets and at least some affordable concessions. We can't all afford to drop 200 - 300 dollars to take our family to a game.

I agree, it's not so much ticket prices. You can still get a ticket for <$20/ticket, but it's what happens once you get to the park ($30+ parking) and when you're inside the park (the $10+ beers and the $5 hot dogs ($7 if you want the jumbo all-beef)).

Combine that with the crazy length of baseball games, and there are just better options out there for most people. I love going to a game when I have a ton of time to spare, and I know I'm going to have a $200 day. It's not generally a spur of the moment thing - especially considering how inconvenient it is for me to get to the ballpark from where I live.

 

[JohnnieHolmesNole]

Welcome to modern culture. People are less willing to invest long blocks of time to sports consumption. Especially 162 times a year, and especially if the team sucks. People — especially the younger groups — would rather Tweet or otherwise play on social media.

FSU is feeling it, as are most college and professional teams. I read that the White Sox has fewer than 1,000 people for their recent game against the Rays. Prices don’t help, but I think the change in consumer behavior is the biggest thing.

 

[DanC78]

The players aren’t relatable
Prices too much
Lots of other things to talk about in other sports, even if in offseason. (Aka this site and football info all year around)

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I agree, it's not so much ticket prices. You can still get a ticket for <$20/ticket, but it's what happens once you get to the park ($30+ parking) and when you're inside the park (the $10+ beers and the $5 hot dogs ($7 if you want the jumbo all-beef)).

Combine that with the crazy length of baseball games, and there are just better options out there for most people. I love going to a game when I have a ton of time to spare, and I know I'm going to have a $200 day. It's not generally a spur of the moment thing - especially considering how inconvenient it is for me to get to the ballpark from where I live.

Exactly.
It's a 6 hour, $200+ affair. For one game.

 

[NDallasRuss]

I read that the White Sox has fewer than 1,000 people for their recent game against the Rays.

That is amazing!

"Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays had an official attendance of 10,377, but the number of spectators actually at the stadium was much lower. According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, only 974 people showed up."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...om&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

 

[kc78]

Welcome to modern culture. People are less willing to invest long blocks of time to sports consumption. Especially 162 times a year, and especially if the team sucks. People — especially the younger groups — would rather Tweet or otherwise play on social media.

FSU is feeling it, as are most college and professional teams. I read that the White Sox has fewer than 1,000 people for their recent game against the Rays. Prices don’t help, but I think the change in consumer behavior is the biggest thing.

This is definitely true. The games take forever to play and there are a ton of them, so an individual game doesn't really mean much, especially at the beginning of the season.

In the long run, while baseball would like to have every game sold out, they understand this, and for them it's the tv money and the overall, season long attendance that matters. I think if you're having games like this towards the end of the season, then there's real cause for alarm, but midweek games are going to be difficult draws for many people who are simply busy and don't have the time to go to games, and those who do, can't really afford to.

This is one area where I see soccer having a edge over the other sports. It's two hours and you're done. Due to the running clock, while you may add 5 minutes or so on to the end of a half, you're not going to have those cases like in basketball and football it can take 20 minutes to play 2 minutes due to commercial breaks, stoppage, fouls, time-outs, etc... So people know they need to block out about 3 hours about 16 times a year. That's far more doable than 6 hours 80 times a year plus the post-season.

 

[DFSNOLE]

Must be the anthem protest.






*Dammit. Now I'm going to have to ban myself.

 

[SeaPA]

I was going to post about that Rays-ChiSox game earlier but got sidetracked overbilling somebody. They should've had go around between innings & personally thank everyone who showed up.

 

[seminoleed]

Was the poor attendance in Chicago due to the freezing weather?

 

[Noleguy06]

Was the poor attendance in Chicago due to the freezing weather?

DIdn't help. Some of these temps during games is absurd.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

The Marlins are an embarrassment to baseball. I can't believe they actually got that stadium built.

 

[billanole]

Must be the anthem protest.






*Dammit. Now I'm going to have to ban myself.

...and he’s outta here!!

 

[GwinnettNole]

Was the poor attendance in Chicago due to the freezing weather?

Yes

 

[runkpanole]

I was going to post about that Rays-ChiSox game earlier but got sidetracked overbilling somebody. They should've had go around between innings & personally thank everyone who showed up.

Is it not enough that you already take their money for Uncle Sam?

 

[Ohio1nole]

Personally, it's the money. And partly travel time. Living in Columbus, it takes me 2 hours to get to Cleveland to catch a tribe game. Like another poster stated, going to a game isn't a spur of the moment deal living 2 hours away. Add on the fact that while tickets themselves aren't all that crazy, it's everything around it that drives me nuts. Trying to find parking for under $30-$40, couple of hot dogs, a beer or a pop and all of a sudden it's an expensive night out esp if you brought your wife and/or kids where you're buying for them as well. It's just so much easier watching the games on my new HD flat screen tv, where I don't have to worry about parking, traffic, idiot fans next to me, etc.

 

[runkpanole]

Personally, it's the money. And partly travel time. Living in Columbus, it takes me 2 hours to get to Cleveland to catch a tribe game. Like another poster stated, going to a game isn't a spur of the moment deal living 2 hours away. Add on the fact that while tickets themselves aren't all that crazy, it's everything around it that drives me nuts. Trying to find parking for under $30-$40, couple of hot dogs, a beer or a pop and all of a sudden it's an expensive night out esp if you brought your wife and/or kids where you're buying for them as well. It's just so much easier watching the games on my new HD flat screen tv, where I don't have to worry about parking, traffic, idiot fans next to me, etc.

In Cleveland, I just parked at Great Lakes Brewery, got a beer and took the Fatty Wagon for next to nothing. I do agree with the overall sentiment though. Living 4 hours from the closest major league park makes it so I have to plan out games and parking/concessions are usually the biggest expense. You can get tickets on stubhub for most any game in any ballpark for an inexpensive price.

 

[Fijimn]

I enjoy going to baseball games. I go to about 10 regular season games during the year by myself. Those games I’m pretty cheap (scorecard, water and my glaucoma medicine in edible form). Probably spend $20 total.

 

[mcgrawfsu]

The players aren’t relatable

I've been saying for a few years now that MLB needs to be careful how "international" they become. They are doing a decent job with some of their superstar players and promoting them. But some of them are very difficult to connect with.

 

[NDallasRuss]

I've been saying for a few years now that MLB needs to be careful how "international" they become. They are doing a decent job with some of their superstar players and promoting them. But some of them are very difficult to connect with.

Is it really any easier to connect with the home-grown players? Like are there people who see how Bryce Harper dropped out of high school to play American Legion ball against grown men until getting to the big leagues at 18yo, and think that they "know" that guy? Whether they're from Las Vegas or D.R. or Japan, none of those guys are really relatable - to me, at least.

Minor league baseball is good for that. I've been to minor league games where I've sat and talked to the bullpen guys throughout the game - I really enjoy minor league games.

 

[dero316]

I enjoy going to baseball games. I go to about 10 regular season games during the year by myself. Those games I’m pretty cheap (scorecard, water and my glaucoma medicine in edible form). Probably spend $20 total.

Surprised that doesn't lead to 5th inning nachos, then a 7th inning hot dog, then an 8th inning lemon ice,.....

 

[GwinnettNole]

I've been saying for a few years now that MLB needs to be careful how "international" they become. They are doing a decent job with some of their superstar players and promoting them. But some of them are very difficult to connect with.

I somewhat disagree. Baseball needs to become more international to appeal to the non-US market moreso.

 

[GoNolesTX]

As much as I love the Ballpark in Arlington, it's just so much more convenient and cheap to hit the Frisco AA games. I'm a bit of a prospect junkie too, so seeing these kids that are so close to the 40 man or are on it already and that much closer to MLB makes it fun for me.

And there's a fun little breastaurant across the street from Dr. Pepper Ballpark, so that makes post game traffic easier too.

 

[mcgrawfsu]

Is it really any easier to connect with the home-grown players? Like are there people who see how Bryce Harper dropped out of high school to play American Legion ball against grown men until getting to the big leagues at 18yo, and think that they "know" that guy? Whether they're from Las Vegas or D.R. or Japan, none of those guys are really relatable - to me, at least.

Minor league baseball is good for that. I've been to minor league games where I've sat and talked to the bullpen guys throughout the game - I really enjoy minor league games.

Personally, I like watching great baseball. Don't care who makes the plays or where they come from. I'm basing my opinion on seeing the jerseys the kids in my Little League wear and listening to them talk about the teams and players. The funny thing is Harper isn't one of the guys they talk about at all.

I enjoy minor league games as well. My friends and I always sit down by the bullpen. A lot of those guys don't make much money at all. We buy signed memorabilia from them right there during the game (when the coaches aren't looking). Most of them will likely never make it big, but it's nice to give those guys a few extra $$ while they chase their big league dreams. We've also had some of them come to our youth baseball practices and help out there for extra cash as well.

 

[mcgrawfsu]

I somewhat disagree. Baseball needs to become more international to appeal to the non-US market moreso.

For non-US TV ratings, sure. But for actual baseball attendance, I'd disagree. However, in Miami, having Stanton and Fernandez were big draws for them.

I think the attendance issue is more due to people being busier and pulled in too many different directions. Most families can't get a weeknight off to take the family to a game. I have one kid that is only playing baseball right now. We are busy 5, sometimes 6 nights a week with baseball or school activities. We literally have one game on the entire baseball calendar this summer I can bring him to.

 

[Ohio1nole]

I also think the MLB doesn't do a good job at promoting their players. Mike Trout is on pace to go down as one of the greatest ball players (statistically) of all time. And if he were to walk in a mall anywhere outside of LA or his hometown in NJ, he was practically go unnoticed. Same thing with Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. I bet you he can walk around Cleveland and no one would know who he is. I feel like that's the case with practically the entire league.

Maybe it's just because I'm not "all in" on sports like I was when I was 12, but players don't seem to be as popular like they were when I was younger. Like Griffey, ARod, Jeter, Clemons, Frank Thomas, Maddux, McGriff, Pedro, etc. I remember not wanting to miss Sunday night baseball or the Saturday afternoon game on FOX.

But then again, when you get older and life gets in the way of sitting at home as a kid studying baseball cards and knowing the ins and outs of every team I guess it's tough to stay that invested in it. Now instead of going to ball games, i'd rather just casually watch on TV.

 

[SoddyNole]

I enjoy going to baseball games. I go to about 10 regular season games during the year by myself. Those games I’m pretty cheap (scorecard, water and my glaucoma medicine in edible form). Probably spend $20 total.

I'm pulling out the BS card on this comment. Here is an example of a medicated fan with poor vision. The poor sap most likely spent a couple of hundred on snacks alone.

 

[Fijimn]

I've been saying for a few years now that MLB needs to be careful how "international" they become. They are doing a decent job with some of their superstar players and promoting them. But some of them are very difficult to connect with.

Considering baseball’s post-integration and culling of Latin American players since the 60s, it’s weird to see a nativist argument suggesting that will “save” the sport.

 

[kc78]

Considering baseball’s post-integration and culling of Latin American players since the 60s, it’s weird to see a nativist argument suggesting that will “save” the sport.

My guess is that baseball's primary fanbase seems to be primarily white middle America (Although I could be totally reading that wrong). Soccer certainly isn't hurt in any country by it's international appeal.

 

[seminoledq]

Now that my kids are older we can go to games on the cheap, similar to fiji minus the poor eyesight. In CO we can get decent seats in the $20 range and we actually watch the game as opposed to being up and down getting snacks. We are only about 30 minutes from the stadium so its a great way to spend a few hours. That said I won't be going until the weather warms up. Not interested at all in sitting through a game with the temp in the 40s or 50s (maybe not even 60s).

 

[JohnnieHolmesNole]

I've been saying for a few years now that MLB needs to be careful how "international" they become. They are doing a decent job with some of their superstar players and promoting them. But some of them are very difficult to connect with.

Spot on. Some years ago there were at least different guys in MLB named Jose Cruz. Yes, America’s pastime needs to be less Venezuelan, at least in my view.

 

[seminoledq]

Spot on. Some years ago there were at least different guys in MLB named Jose Cruz. Yes, America’s pastime needs to be less Venezuelan, at least in my view.

So you want a worse product on the field?

 

[CC0492]

Is it really any easier to connect with the home-grown players? Like are there people who see how Bryce Harper dropped out of high school to play American Legion ball against grown men until getting to the big leagues at 18yo, and think that they "know" that guy? Whether they're from Las Vegas or D.R. or Japan, none of those guys are really relatable - to me, at least.

Minor league baseball is good for that. I've been to minor league games where I've sat and talked to the bullpen guys throughout the game - I really enjoy minor league games.

This! I love going to see the Rome Braves play. A little further drive, but it's an easy drive, WAY cheaper, and you get to meet people affiliated with the team or other MLB teams like scouts. Pretty cool.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I also think the MLB doesn't do a good job at promoting their players. Mike Trout is on pace to go down as one of the greatest ball players (statistically) of all time. And if he were to walk in a mall anywhere outside of LA or his hometown in NJ, he was practically go unnoticed. Same thing with Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. I bet you he can walk around Cleveland and no one would know who he is. I feel like that's the case with practically the entire league.

Maybe it's just because I'm not "all in" on sports like I was when I was 12, but players don't seem to be as popular like they were when I was younger. Like Griffey, ARod, Jeter, Clemons, Frank Thomas, Maddux, McGriff, Pedro, etc. I remember not wanting to miss Sunday night baseball or the Saturday afternoon game on FOX.

But then again, when you get older and life gets in the way of sitting at home as a kid studying baseball cards and knowing the ins and outs of every team I guess it's tough to stay that invested in it. Now instead of going to ball games, i'd rather just casually watch on TV.

Interesting points.

We have all the info in the world available at our fingertips, but I knew a lot more about teams and players back in the day with just a few TV sports highlights, the daily sports page and This Week In Baseball and Game of the Week on Saturday.

 

[LesClaypool]

Weird, random fact: My fiance and I were in Prague a couple of weeks ago and we met a British couple at an Irish pub. I start chatting them up about soccer, and the guy's like "Yeah, soccer/futbol's ok, but the sport I really love is baseball...baseball and then American football. Those are my two favorite sports."

I was like ??????

The guy had never spent a day in the US either.

 

[CC0492]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb...-the-marlins-last-night/ar-AAvOtHM?li=BBnba9I

May as well pile on the Marlins.

 

[NoleMoreTears]

Same reason golf is suffering: each game takes a large a mount of time. 8 home games a year it's pretty easy to find that for football. 81 is a whole other story.

 

[runkpanole]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb...-the-marlins-last-night/ar-AAvOtHM?li=BBnba9I

May as well pile on the Marlins.

Talk about a fan base that has every right to be pissed. They couldn't even retain Marlin guy or whatever they call him.