Sunday, August 31, 2014

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 30, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Saturday, August 30, 2014:

Total Attendance: 17,643

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 67
  • Attendance: 17,463
  • Starting Pitcher: Jake Odorizzi
  • Opponent: Boston Red Sox
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Allen Webster
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 18,080.40
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 22,406.5
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 25,124
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 16,191.66
  • Promotions (if any): Star Wars Night
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): USF Football Home Opener: Attendance 31,642

No other area games.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Longoria replies to Royals attendance discussion

A few days ago, Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost made comments about the Kansas City Royals fanbase and attendance at Kauffman Stadium. I am not, nor will ever be, in the business of commenting about cities and fanbases I am not knowledgeable about, but the incident did lead some in the media to compare Yost to Evan Longoria who made similar comments about the Rays fanbase in 2010.

For those unfamiliar with Longoria's comments:



MLB Network Radio caught up with Longoria this week to get his thoughts on Yost and players talking about attendance.



Of course, players, managers, and everyone else on the field wants to see fans in the seats. The players enjoy the game, they enjoy the celebration of winning, and they want to hear the adoration of the crowd. When I write a good post, I love comments and I love when you share it with friends, family, and other fans. That's human nature.

But Longoria only has it half right when he talks about fan finances as the main driver as to whether they are in the seats or not.

There are many complexities behind attendance that players and managers don't know about. They are not the businessmen behind the team. They are the labor. They don't control marketing, advertising, broadcasting rights, or the finances. Their work is seen by the recipients of these efforts. If the best team played in Antarctica with no broadcast, would anyone see it?

I would compare the comments of Yost and Longoria to a chef who wonders why the restaurant he toils in isn't crowded every night. The chef could prepare the best meal in the world but if the restaurant is not near the population, if the meal is overpriced, if no one knows of the restaurant, the waitstaff is not friendly, or any other myriad of misdecisions, not as many people will be in the restaurant as the chef expects.

That's not the chef's fault.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 29, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Friday, August 29, 2014:

Total Attendance: 16,107

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 66
  • Attendance: 16,107
  • Starting Pitcher: Chris Archer
  • Opponent: Boston Red Sox
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Anthony Randaudo
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 18,089.76
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 23,112.71
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 19,240
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 18,210.15
  • Promotions (if any): Raymond Rally Gnome giveaway
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

No other area games.

Friday, August 29, 2014

Tampa Bay Rays Attendance Review: July 2014

This post will explore Rays home attendance from July 1 to July 30, 2014. In case you missed it, here are the April, May, and June Attendance Reviews. Previous years' month-by-month breakdowns are covered here.

Overall figures:
  • Total July 2014 Tampa Bay Rays home attendance: 224,521
  • July home games: 12
  • Average attendance per game: 18,710.08
  • Highest attendance: 26,659 on Sat, July 26
  • Lowest attendance: 12,150 on Wed, July 9
  • Highest average attended series: 25,005 vs Boston, July 25-27
  • Lowest average attended series: 12,791 vs Kansas City, July 7-9

Competing area sporting events:
  • Tampa Bay Storm Arena Football home game - July 26 (att: 14,770)
  • Tampa Bay Rowdies home soccer game - July 12, 26 (att: 3,896 / 4,868)
  • 53 Minor League Baseball games (avg attendance: 1,893 per game).

Since 2007, July has been the highest average month for the Rays. July is the only month to never be the least attendance month of the year. July was the highest attendance month in 2007 and 2011, but was the 4th lowest in 2013. Since 2007, the average July attendance is 12.53% higher than the overall 2007-2013 average attendance.
  • 2007-2013 Average Attendance: 20,475.72
  • 2007-2013 July Average Attendance: 23,041.56
  • Difference: 2,565.84
  • Percentage: 12.53%

We will be using this July difference when we calculate how the Rays drew in 2014 compared to past results.

Note: Due to the irregularity of games against the Brewers, we are using the overall average of interleague games separated only by weekdays or weekends. So we will have to live with the error of bumps resulting from the popularity of one National League team over another.
  • 2007-2013 Rays interleague avg home attendance: 22,225
  • 2007-2013 Weekday interleague avg home attendance: 20,299
  • 2007-2013 Weekend interleague avg home attendance: 23,234

(All numbers include annual games vs FLA/MIA.)

The following chart shows the percentage difference between the mathematically predicted Rays attendance and the actual attendance.
  • 2007-2013 Avg = Rays average attendance vs specific opponent on that day since 2007. Calculated here.
  • Post-game concert = Average increase in attendance due to post-game concerts on specific days since 2007. Calculated here.



Rays attendance exceeded their past average only one time (July 30). They failed to meet their past average the other eleven times.

On July 30th, the Rays exceeded attendance expectations by 8.61%. July 30th was "Parks and Recreation Day" and campers from around the Tampa Bay area came to Tropicana Field en masse.

Comparing July 2014 with Previous Years

We will now compare the July 2014 average attendance to June attendance in other recent years.




July 2014 was the second worst July since 2007, topping only 2013 by less than 1,000 fans per game. However, July 2014 was 7,724 fans per game (41.82%) below July 2009.

The below chart compares games played, record, and average attendance of the July 2013 Rays and the July 2014 Rays. Over the same amount of games, the 2013 Rays won more games but the 2014 Rays drew more fans.




Through Game 56

We can't only compare attendance by past averages and overall months, we have to look at the trends based on where we are in the season. Through the end of July 2014, the Rays played 56 of their scheduled 81 home games. The following chart depicts the Rays average attendance through Game 56 from 2007 to 2014.




2014 is the 2nd earliest the Rays have reached Game 56, five days later than they did in 2008. The latest they reached Game 56 was in 2009.

The Rays 2014 Game 56 average is below their 2007-2013 Game 56 average by 2,769 fans per game. The average attendance at Game 56 in 2014 is the second worst since 2007, trailing only 2007.

However, the average attendance after Game 56 in 2014 is tied with 2007 for the least amount of weekend games and the most amount of weekday games on this chart. The 2014 season to date has also had one less game versus the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, the Rays' two highest drawing opponents, than the average season.

Comparing 2014 to 2013 through Game 56, the Rays drew 567 fans per game less in 2014. However, they played two less weekend games and two less games versus the Red Sox or Yankees.

The following graph shows how the Rays 2014 Game 56 attendance compares to previous years.




Tampa Bay Rays attendance is 2014 is close to attendance trends in 2013. In 2013, August was the highest attended month. Our next attendance review will cover August.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 28, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Thursday, August 28, 2014:

Total Attendance: 2,877

Clearwater Threshers:
  • Team Home Game #: 70
  • Attendance: 2,877
  • Starting Pitcher: Colin Kleven
  • Opponent: Tampa Yankees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Tayler Garrison
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 2,786.47
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,837.11
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 2,784.66
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 2,208.17
  • Promotions (if any): Thirsty Thursday / Ladies Night
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

No other area games.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 27, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Wednesday, August 27, 2014:

Total Attendance: 2,635

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 70
  • Attendance: 1,066
  • Starting Pitcher: Brett Gerritse
  • Opponent: Clearwater Threshers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Jordan Guth
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,640.01
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,212.13
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,733.54
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,167.33
  • Promotions (if any): Kids Night Wednesday
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 68
  • Attendance: 701
  • Starting Pitcher: Felipe Gonzalez
  • Opponent: Fort Myers Miracle
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Matt Tomshaw
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,559.94
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,306.55
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,000
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 701
  • Promotions (if any):

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 70
  • Attendance: 868
  • Starting Pitcher: Matt Boyd
  • Opponent: Daytona Cubs
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Juan Paniagua
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 892.94
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 636.62
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 930.75
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 950
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 26, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Tuesday, August 26, 2014:

Total Attendance: 2,699

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 69
  • Attendance: 1,223
  • Starting Pitcher: Caleb Smith
  • Opponent: Clearwater Threshers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Mark Leiter
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,648.58
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,233
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 963.5
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,167.33
  • Promotions (if any): 2 for 1 Tuesday
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 67
  • Attendance: 943
  • Starting Pitcher: Chad Kuhl
  • Opponent: Fort Myers Miracle
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Jason Gruver
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,573.57
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,382.25
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,215
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,618.12
  • Promotions (if any): 2 for 1 tickets, Kids Club Night

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 69
  • Attendance: 533
  • Starting Pitcher: Roberto Osuna
  • Opponent: Daytona Cubs
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Rob Zastryzny
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 896.91
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 603.57
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,188.83
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 624.4
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 25, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Monday, August 25, 2014:

Total Attendance: 1,114

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 66
  • Attendance: 600
  • Starting Pitcher: Jason Creasy
  • Opponent: Fort Myers Miracle
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Brett Lee
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,583.74
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,445
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 3,776.4
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,588.66
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 68
  • Attendance: 514
  • Starting Pitcher: Miguel Castro
  • Opponent: Daytona Cubs
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Yao-Lin Wang
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 902.51
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 615.33
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 619.45
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 514
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Rays change autograph rules midseason, aggravate fanbase

During the Rays last homestand, a slow grumbling began among the Rays twittersphere. Many fans who were used to hovering near the dugout long before the game started, were told by security to find their seats. Once the clock reached 45 minutes before the game, the fans could no longer get autographs or interact with the players.

Many fans took to twitter to tweet @RaysBaseball and ask why. Some fans reported they were told people in the first few rows complained and that the Rays were following up on the complaint. One even went as far as to say they were told the players were instructed not to take pictures with the fans anymore.

Here are some facts:

Every team in Major League Baseball has a page for their stadium on their website. The Red Sox have a page for Fenway Park, the Cubs have one for Wrigley Field, and so on. The Rays of course, have a webpage for Tropicana Field. On this page the Rays have an A-Z Ballpark Guide. This page covers all the intricacies of the ballpark operations and experience, from "Alcoholic Beverages" to "Parking" to "Umbrellas". Most teams have an A-Z Ballpark Guide for their stadium.

Just below "Alcoholic Beverages" on the Rays A-Z Ballpark Guide is a section labeled "Autographs". This section reads:
Fans are permitted to seek autographs from players along the railing at the outfield side of both the first and third base dugouts up to 45 minutes prior to game time.

According to fans' twitter accounts, the Rays are enforcing the 45 minute rule.

But is it new, or newly enforced?

Using Archive.org's Wayback Machine, we can get an idea when the Rays published this rule. If it has been on the books for a while, then maybe the staff is only now enforcing it. But perhaps it has been changed.

The first time the Wayback Machine scanned the Tropicana Field A-Z Ballpark Guide was in December 2010. Looking at that archived page, the autograph section reads:
Fans are permitted to seek autographs from players along the railing at the outfield side of both the first and third base dugouts up to 30 minutes prior to game time.

Interesting. Four years ago, fans could get autographs for 15 minutes longer.

The most recent scan the Wayback Machine has for the Tropicana Field Ballpark A-Z Guide is on July 20, 2014. Under the heading "autographs", this page states:
Fans are permitted to seek autographs from players along the railing at the outfield side of both the first and third base dugouts up to 30 minutes prior to game time.

Same phrase as the 2010 webpage. Very interesting. Now we know sometime between July 20th and today, the webpage changed.

Sometime between July 20th and today, the Rays changed a rule that was on the books for at least four years and allowed fans to interact with their favorite players.

According to a Rays Renegade post on August 16th,
after the conclusion of the New York Yankees BP, the Sentry security team which protects the field regions around Tropicana Field were informed pre-game to begin informing the amassed crowds of Rays fans who seem to migrate and linger within the Lower Bowl seating area that they will no longer have access to this area 1 hour before game time.

That means that this once prime autograph and photo real estate will be off-limits.

The Rays have played 65 of their 81 home games. The August 15th game was their 60th home game of the season. Why change a rule 75% of the way through a season?

That's not smart.

Unfortunately for the Rays, 2014 has been full of in-season changes. The death of Don Zimmer left a hole in the coaching staff. The trade of David Price during the season left a hole in pitching staff and in the locker room. And the changing of the autograph rule leaves a hole in fan relations.

In each of these situations, something that was there one day wasn't there the next. The average Rays fan can understand death and they might even comprehend trading one of the best players. But the average fan will struggle to see the logic of changing the autograph rule during the season.

(Note: most teams have a 45-minute rule as well. The White Sox, however, let fans stay until 25 minutes before the game.)

Prior to the David Price trade, the Rays usually traded their veteran players during the offseason. Losing James Shields and Matt Garza was more accepted when fans had an offseason to digest the news. That's how the autograph rule should have been handled.

Changing a rule that affects fan relations during the season, especially after trading one of the team's best players, is awkward at best, ignorant at worst. The Rays should have known fans would complain. The last thing the Rays should want is fans complaining about something the team can control.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 24, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Sunday, August 24, 2014:

Total Attendance: 2,396

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 68
  • Attendance: 1,046
  • Starting Pitcher: Brady Lail
  • Opponent: Dunedin Blue Jays
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Taylor Cole
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,655.03
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,533.55
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,295.18
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,188
  • Promotions (if any): Seniors Eat Free
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

Clearwater Threshers:
  • Team Home Game #: 69
  • Attendance: 1,350
  • Starting Pitcher: Miguel Nunez
  • Opponent: Brevard County Manatees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Hobbs Johnson
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 2,785.16
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,686
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,483
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 3,042
  • Promotions (if any): Brunch at the Ballpark

No other area games.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 23, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Saturday, August 23, 2014:

Total Attendance: 10,034

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 67
  • Attendance: 3,414
  • Starting Pitcher: Miguel Sulbaran
  • Opponent: Dunedin Blue Jays
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Jesse Hernandez
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,664.40
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,594.5
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 2,711
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 2,003.84
  • Promotions (if any): Fireworks/Fan Appreciation/David Robertson bobblehead
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): Concert: Southern Darkness Fest (Ybor City). Soccer: Tampa Bay Rowdies: attendance: 4,212

Clearwater Threshers:
  • Team Home Game #: 68
  • Attendance: 6,620
  • Starting Pitcher: Kevin Walter
  • Opponent: Brevard County Manatees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Tyler Wagner
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 2,806.26
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,853
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 4,330.5
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 4,282
  • Promotions (if any): Fireworks

No other area games.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 22, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Friday, August 22, 2014:

Total Attendance: 3,342

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 66
  • Attendance: 1,099
  • Starting Pitcher: Taylor Garrison
  • Opponent: Dunedin Blue Jays
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Matt Boyd
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,637.06
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,334.57
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,769.1
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,138.66
  • Promotions (if any): Social Media Friday
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

Clearwater Threshers:
  • Team Home Game #: 67
  • Attendance: 2,243
  • Starting Pitcher: Jeb Stephan
  • Opponent: Brevard County Manatees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Chad Pierce
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 2,749.34
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,314
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 3,174.27
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 3,100.81
  • Promotions (if any): Family Night / Social Media Night

No other area games.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 21, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Thursday, August 21, 2014:

Total Attendance: 21,810

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 65
  • Attendance: 19,189
  • Starting Pitcher: Alex Cobb
  • Opponent: Detroit Tigers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: David Price
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 18,120.26
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 15,698.33
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 14,209.62
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 16,868.1
  • Promotions (if any): Senior Prom
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 65
  • Attendance: 914
  • Starting Pitcher: Brett Gerritse
  • Opponent: Brevard County Manatees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Jorge Lopez
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,645.6
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,017.12
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,640.22
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,509.66
  • Promotions (if any): Throwback Thursday

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 65
  • Attendance: 1,166
  • Starting Pitcher: Chad Kuhl
  • Opponent: Fort Myers Miracle
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Madison Boer
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,599.87
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,585.83
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,406.85
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,663.13
  • Promotions (if any): Thirsty Thursday

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 67
  • Attendance: 541
  • Starting Pitcher: Roberto Osuna
  • Opponent: Lakeland Flying Tigers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Yorfrank Lopez
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 908.58
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 733.5
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 952
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 644.33
  • Promotions (if any): Thirsty Thursday

No other area games.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Baseball fan roots and rooting interests in Florida

Much was made recently of Rays manager Joe Maddon's comments about fans at Tropicana Field cheering for Derek Jeter and the Yankees. According to the comments, Maddon didn't mind fans acknowledging Jeter's longevity in the game, but drew the line at fans actively rooting for Jeter and the Yankees.
"Yeah it's great," Maddon said. "It's great that it's sold out. And I understand that the people like Derek Jeter. But you've got to come out and root for the Rays, too, you understand. I mean, I totally understand what's going on. But I'm not going to sit here and defend all of that noise in the Yankees' favor in our ballpark. I'm not going to defend that. So we're going to come out and root for the Rays. We'd appreciate that."

These comments sparked hours and hours of discussion, claims, and faux analysis on every media outlet from ESPN to local sports radio shows across the nation. Most said the same things:
  • "Rays have no fans"
  • "Tropicana Field is a home game for the Yankees"
  • "All the New Yorkers in Florida tip the scale against the Rays".

How true are these claims? Polling tells us the Rays have fans, so claim one is bupkis. We also know the Rays bat in the bottom of the inning no matter what team visits, so claim two is bupkis. But what about claim 3? Is there a preponderance of New Yorkers in Florida, and if so, what are their rooting interests?

Fortunately, the New York Times recently published an interactive article that helps find the answers to these questions. Entitled "Where We Came From, State by State", the article showed demographic breakdowns of each state's population origin from 1900 to 2012. Here is a screenshot of Florida. (Click to embiggen.)




According to the chart, in about 1970, New Yorkers started moving to Florida in large numbers. Prior to 1970, Georgia was the top non-native origin of Florida residents. From 1970 to the present, we also see large growth in the "Outside the United States" segment of the chart.

Here is the numeric breakdown of the Florida's population since 1970 based on the New York Times chart.




In 2012, the amount of Floridians born in Florida was almost what it was in 1970. The lowest point of natural born Floridians in Florida was 1990. That year was also tied with 1980 as the highest point of New York-born Florida residents and residents from Other Northeast States (New England, etc).

(Disclaimer: My family moved to Florida from New York in 1987. I grew up a Mets fan and stick my head in the ground like an ostrich when the Mets play the Rays.)

Using these percentages, a Florida population estimate of 19.5 million, and a high estimate that 50% of Florida residents are baseball fans (May 2012 Quinnipiac University poll - rounded up from 46%), we get the following:




(For South Carolina, we used 0.9% - a number less than 1%.)

We now have a high estimate of all the baseball fans in Florida and where they come from. But who are they rooting for? Are their rooting interests loyal to where they come from?

Again, we reference the Quinnipiac May 2012 poll. The Quinnipiac poll also asked baseball fans who their favorite teams are. For the sake of this post, we are not going to deep-dive into sex or age of fans, only the totals in the red box.




The following chart multiplies the above percentages by the total statewide estimated baseball fanbase of 9,750,000.

Note: In order to match the two charts, I added the teams from each state and included Detroit among the Midwest states. The far right column shows the difference between the estimated fanbase per team in Florida minus the baseball fans living in Florida from that particular state.  ("50% = baseball fans" from previous chart).

This assumes fans from each state do not change loyalty, which is probably not the case, but we do not have data to the contrary, so we have to assume fans stay static. In other words, a baseball fan from New York will remain a Yankees or Mets fan throughout their time in Florida.

Florida population: 19,500,000 x 50% (baseball fans) = 9,750,000 baseball fans in Florida




We see some teams have a bigger fanbase in Florida than the amount of baseball fans from those states living in Florida. Some teams, on the other hand, have smaller fanbases in Florida than the amount of baseball fans from those states living in Florida. And finally, some fanbases are exactly as we would estimate based on the Florida population originating from that region of the US.

Fanbases in Florida that are exactly as the baseball fan population estimate from that state include:
  • Fans of Ohio teams: Reds, Indians
  • Fans of Northeast states teams (non-New York): Red Sox
  • Fans of West states teams: Dodgers, Giants, Padres

Fanbases in Florida that are below the estimated amount of baseball fans from that state include:
  • Fans of Other states teams: Rangers, non-listed teams (-97,500)
  • Fans of Other Midwest states teams: Tigers, Cardinals (-195,000)
  • Fans of Florida teams: Rays, Marlins (-292,500)

Fanbases in Florida that exceed the estimated fanbase based on the amount of baseball fans from that state:
  • Fans of Pennsylvania teams: Pirates, Phillies (+97,500)
  • Fans of Illinois teams: White Sox, Cubs (+195,000)
  • Fans of the Georgia team: Braves (+487,500)
  • Fans of New York teams: Yankees and Mets (+1,560,000)

Why Florida fanbases are higher than expected for these teams:

Pennsylvania - The Quinnipiac University poll states fans of the Phillies and Pirates are primarily located in SW and Central Florida. Although there is not a high amount of fans in the "Bay" column on the poll, the additional amount of fans rooting for teams from Pennsylvania could derive from the lengthy time the Phillies and Pirates have been spring training in Clearwater and Bradenton, respectively.

Illinios - According to the Quinnipiac poll, Cubs fans in Florida outnumber White Sox fans 3 to 1. These fans could possibly be attributed to the longtime national broadcast on WGN. Or perhaps the White Sox won the hearts of some Sarasota residents when they spring trained there from 1960 to 1997.

Georgia - There are 487,500 more Braves fans in Florida than there are Georgia-born baseball fans living in Florida. This surplus can be attributed to a several things:
  • Before the Marlins (1993) and Rays (1998), the Braves were the only team in the Southeast
  • Braves broadcasts on TBS were nationwide
  • Residents from other southern states who moved to Florida could have carried with them Braves fandom. As a matter of fact, the Braves surplus exactly matches the estimated amount of baseball fans from "Other Southeast states".

New York - There are 1,560,000 more people in Florida rooting for New York-based teams than there are New York-born baseball fans in Florida. According to the Quinnipiac poll, Yankees fans in Florida outnumber Mets fans in Florida 4 to 1.
  • 1,560,000 x 80% = 1,248,000 more Yankees fans
  • 1,560,000 x 20% = 312,000 more Mets fans

Here are three reasons explaining the high amount of non-New York born Yankees fans in Florida, ranked from least to most significant. These are not the only reasons, but three reasons I think are the biggest.

3. Tradition - The high amount of New Yorkers who moved to Florida since 1970 promoted their fandom to their children, grandchildren, etc. Yankees brand loyalty is very high as they are baseball's premier "global" brand.

2. Spring Training - The Yankees have conducted Spring Training in Florida since 1924. They have been a mainstay on the Florida sports scene. The longest home run Babe Ruth ever hit was supposedly in Tampa at Plant Field. To this day, the Yankees still draw the highest attendance of any spring training team in Florida.

1. Non-US state residents - There are approximately 2,047,500 baseball fans living in Florida who came from outside the United States. Not all of them are Yankees fans, of course. But there is no doubt the Yankees global brand has won them the hearts and minds of fans living in Florida born outside the 50 US states.

In few places outside of New York are the Yankees more popular than in Puerto Rico. With over a million Puerto Ricans in New York, baseball fandom is conveyed from the Bronx to the island and back again. Yankees history is also rich with stars from the island such as Ed Figueroa, Bernie Williams, and Jorge Posada.

As of August 2013, there were 900,000 Puerto Ricans living in Florida, many of whom live along the I-4 corridor. According to the Quinnipiac survey, Central Florida has the highest concentration of Yankees fans in Florida. There is no doubt the Central Florida Puerto Rican population plays a role.

The Yankees are also a favorite team of the Cuban population, both on the island and in Florida. Former Cuban stars Jose Contreas and Orlando Hernandez saw success with the Yankees. While there is no formal poll I could find of baseball fans on the island, this first-person blog cites how a Yankees fan was greeted well by baseball fans in Cuba.

(It will be interesting to see if the career of Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez has any effect. While his starts were well watched in Miami, his only start against the Rays in St. Petersburg drew barely under the Monday average in 2013. If the Marlins can keep him under contract, he could create a new generation of Cuban-American Florida baseball fans.)

Meanwhile, there is a deficit of 292,500 baseball fans born in Florida but not identifying as fans of either the Rays or the Marlins. Attracting these fans should be the priority. Florida teams will always be behind as franchises if they can't at least attract the approximate number of baseball fans living in their own backyard. If Florida baseball fans don't root for their home state teams, why should anyone else?

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 20, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Wednesday, August 20, 2014:

Total Attendance: 15,642

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 64
  • Attendance: 13,575
  • Starting Pitcher: Jake Odorizzi
  • Opponent: Detroit Tigers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Rick Porcello
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 18,103.56
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 13,953
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 14,382.54
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 16,100.85
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 64
  • Attendance: 889
  • Starting Pitcher: Caleb Smith
  • Opponent: Brevard County Manatees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Michael Strong
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,657.4
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,031.85
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,789.16
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,139.5
  • Promotions (if any): Kids' Wednesday

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 65
  • Attendance: 714
  • Starting Pitcher: Jason Creasy
  • Opponent: Fort Myers Miracle
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Steven Gruver
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,607.1
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,669.8
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,033.11
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,678.54
  • Promotions (if any): None

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 66
  • Attendance: 464
  • Starting Pitcher: Ben White
  • Opponent: Lakeland Flying Tigers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Tommy Collier
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 914.41
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 761
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 939.71
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 604
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 19, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Tuesday, August 19, 2014:

Total Attendance: 15,811

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 63
  • Attendance: 14,331
  • Starting Pitcher: Chris Archer
  • Opponent: Detroit Tigers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Max Scherzer
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 18,175.44
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 14,331
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 13,223.3
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 18,385.41
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 63
  • Attendance: 922
  • Starting Pitcher: Shane Carle
  • Opponent: Fort Myers Miracle
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Brett Lee
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,622.24
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,908.75
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,242.2
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,212.75
  • Promotions (if any): 2-for-1 tickets, Kids Club Night

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 64
  • Attendance: 558
  • Starting Pitcher: Taylor Cole
  • Opponent: Lakeland Flying Tigers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Logan Ehlers
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 921.68
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 810.5
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,320
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,015.33
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 18, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Monday, August 18, 2014:

Total Attendance: 474

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 64
  • Attendance: 474
  • Starting Pitcher: Jesse Hernandez
  • Opponent: Lakeland Flying Tigers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Edgar De La Rosa
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 927.64
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 861
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 630
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 667
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

No other area games.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Tampa Bay population gets older, young population farther from baseball

A few weeks ago, the Tampa Bay Business Journal published a very interesting article on their website. They looked at the US Census Bureau data and found the population trends of the seven counties of the Tampa Bay area. The TBBJ discovered the population of the Tampa Bay area is on the whole getting older, as each county saw an increase in the amount of over 65-year old residents relative to the amount of under 18-year old residents.

Here is the breakdown of the each county trend:




Here is the population breakdown per county in the Under 18 demographic:




Here is the population breakdown per county in the Over 65 demographic:




Overall, the "65 and older" population in Tampa Bay increased 10.4% compared to only 0.79% for the "under 18" population. The 65 and older population could be increasing due to more retirees flocking to Florida, or the general aging of the population - especially likely as the baby boomer generation ages.

For reference, here is a map of the counties of Tampa Bay. The counties with names in red are decreasing in younger population. All countries are increasing in older population. The red dot in Pinellas County is an approximation of the location of Tropicana Field.




This change in demographic makes things interesting for baseball teams in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays, Clearwater Threshers, and Dunedin Blue Jays all play in Pinellas County. The Tampa Yankees play in Hillsborough County and the Bradenton Marauders play in Manatee County.

There is a fear among baseball marketers that the baseball fanbase is getting older. According to many writers, teams are struggling to win new, younger fans. When 60% of the teams in Tampa Bay play in counties getting older in population and decreasing in young population, the challenge to win new fans grows more difficult. With older fans more inclined to root for older, more established teams, newer teams, such as the Rays, have a tougher time winning "hearts and minds".

The change in demographic should direct strategies used to attract fans. Attracting older fans would rely more on events, experiences, and substance, maybe even creating senior "clubs" or discount memberships. These fans are less likely to change their allegiances to the Tampa Bay area teams, so keeping them engaged as members of the community and enabling them to have fun at the park, regardless of teams involved, is the key.

Some examples of promotions geared to the older population segment include:
  • Senior citizen discounts
  • "Senior prom"
  • Wine tasting
  • Seniors eat free
  • Tribute days for VFWs, retired firefighters, etc.

These promotions can also be used at day games during the spring or fall while students are in class.

Examples of actions and promotions geared to win the hearts of the under 18 demographic include:
  • Star Wars / Star Trek nights
  • Park and recs / camp day
  • Kids clubs
  • Kids get in free days
  • Sponsoring Little League teams, programs ,etc
  • Appearances by ballplayers at schools, clubs, etc
  • Use of mascots

As this demographic is located further away, promotions have to be more strategically implemented, used on weekends or summer months, when the under 18 demographic can be brought the longer distance to a game. Player appearances also have to be better planned as they require more travel. Time players can spend might be shorter before they have to return to the stadium for a game.

Baseball is a universal game, loved by people of all ages. The goal, of course, is to create fans and develop a love that resonates and inspires action. Like the demographics of the Tampa Bay area, that goal is ever moving.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 17, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Sunday, August 17, 2014:

Total Attendance: 32,923

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 62
  • Attendance: 28,812
  • Starting Pitcher: Jeremy Hellickson
  • Opponent: New York Yankees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Hiroki Kiroda
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 18,237.45
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 28,167.85
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 22,800.6
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 22,314.5
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): Concert: Alice Cooper / Motley Crue (amphitheater)

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 63
  • Attendance: 1,121
  • Starting Pitcher: Taylor Garrison
  • Opponent: Daytona Cubs
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Juan Paniagua
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,670.00
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,330.33
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,320.1
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,158.5
  • Promotions (if any): Seniors Eat Free

Clearwater Threshers:
  • Team Home Game #: 66
  • Attendance: 1,268
  • Starting Pitcher: Kevin Walter
  • Opponent: Lakeland Flying Tigers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Alex Burgos
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 2,757.02
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,747.55
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,499.62
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 3,113
  • Promotions (if any): Sunday Brunch at the Ballpark

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 62
  • Attendance: 1,180
  • Starting Pitcher: Tyler Glasnow
  • Opponent: St. Lucie Mets
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Seth Lugo
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,634.31
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,492
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,337
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,515.63
  • Promotions (if any): Bark at the Park

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 63
  • Attendance: 542
  • Starting Pitcher: Matt Boyd
  • Opponent: Brevard County Manatees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Tayler Williams
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 935.2
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 778.44
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 562.81
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 961
  • Promotions (if any): Kids get in free with paying adult

No other area games.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 16, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Saturday, August 16, 2014:

Total Attendance: 39,435

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 61
  • Attendance: 31,042
  • Starting Pitcher: Drew Smyly
  • Opponent: New York Yankees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Shane Greene
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 18,064.1
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 28,060.5
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 25,890.1
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 31,042
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc):
      Football: Tampa Bay Buccaneers pre-season game.
      Soccer: Tampa Bay Rowdies game - attendance: 4,273
      FSU alumni pub crawl - attendance: 2,000+
      Rum Fest - Ybor City
      Concert: Busch Gardens Summer Nights: One Republic

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 62
  • Attendance: 896
  • Starting Pitcher: Conner Kendrick
  • Opponent: Daytona Cubs
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Rob Zastryzny
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,679.15
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,356.5
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 2,632.88
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,951.28
  • Promotions (if any): Friends and Family Saturday

Clearwater Threshers:
  • Team Home Game #: 65
  • Attendance: 4,065
  • Starting Pitcher: Colin Kleven
  • Opponent: Lakeland Flying Tigers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Yorfrank Lopez
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 2,779.92
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,932.5
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 4,076.11
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 2,147.36
  • Promotions (if any): Military Veteran Appreciation Day

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 61
  • Attendance: 2,685
  • Starting Pitcher: John Kuchno
  • Opponent: St. Lucie Mets
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Luis Cessa
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,642.28
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,536.57
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,764
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,892
  • Promotions (if any): Back to School Night

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 62
  • Attendance: 747
  • Starting Pitcher: Roberto Osuna
  • Opponent: Brevard County Manatees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Jorge Lopez
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 941.86
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 808
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,010
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 682.66
  • Promotions (if any): Back to School Night

No other area games.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 15, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Friday, August 15, 2014:

Total Attendance: 31,463

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 60
  • Attendance: 25,565
  • Starting Pitcher: Alex Cobb
  • Opponent: New York Yankees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Brandon McCarthy
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 17,847.8
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 27,464.2
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 19,553.3
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 16,610.22
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): Concert: Brad Paisley at amphitheater

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 61
  • Attendance: 1,019
  • Starting Pitcher: Brett Gerritse
  • Opponent: Daytona Cubs
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Tyler Skulina
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,692.42
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,422.28
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,843.55
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,628.8
  • Promotions (if any): Social Media Friday

Clearwater Threshers:
  • Team Home Game #: 64
  • Attendance: 2,357
  • Starting Pitcher: Jordan Guth
  • Opponent: Lakeland Flying Tigers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Kenton St. John
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 2,759.84
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,770.71
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 3,267.4
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 2,265.75
  • Promotions (if any): 90's Night / O-Town Post-game concert

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 60
  • Attendance: 1,256
  • Starting Pitcher: Chad Kuhl
  • Opponent: St. Lucie Mets
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Domingo Tapia
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,623.66
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,345.16
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,555
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,698.64
  • Promotions (if any): Free t-shirt Friday / Happy Hour Friday

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 61
  • Attendance: 296
  • Starting Pitcher: Ben White
  • Opponent: Brevard County Manatees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Chad Pierce
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 945.22
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 816.71
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,210.33
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 618
  • Promotions (if any): Buy one, get one free Margaritas

No other area games.

Friday, August 15, 2014

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 14, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Thursday, August 14, 2014:

Total Attendance: 779

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 60
  • Attendance: 779
  • Starting Pitcher: Taylor Cole
  • Opponent: Clearwater Threshers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Mark Leiter
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 956.61
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,158
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 994
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,056.90
  • Promotions (if any): Thirsty Thursday
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

No other games scheduled.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 13, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Thursday, August 14, 2014:

Total Attendance: 2,851

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 60
  • Attendance: 1,176
  • Starting Pitcher: Miguel Sulbaran
  • Opponent: Lakeland Flying Tigers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Edgar De La Rosa
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,704.03
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,988
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,871
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,886.33
  • Promotions (if any): Kids Night
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

Clearwater Threshers:
  • Team Home Game #: 63
  • Attendance: 1,675
  • Starting Pitcher: Miguel Nunez
  • Opponent: Dunedin Blue Jays
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Jesse Hernandez
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 2,766.24
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 4,268.9
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,897.78
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 3,253.5
  • Promotions (if any): Silver Sharks

No other area games.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Analyzing Rays attendance graphic



In an effort to celebrate the popularity of the upcoming series versus the Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays twitter team posted an interesting graphic about attendance. Of course, those of us who track attendance knew the upcoming series would draw well. Yankees superstar Derek Jeter is nearing the end of his epic career and fans of the Yankees and fans of baseball want to see "The Captain" before he hangs up his cleats.

But while the intent of the tweet's graphic was innocent, the tweet was not the best the Rays could have done and because of that, the team left their fanbase to defend their credibility . Here is the graphic:


I have three problems with the graphic:

The tweet is cherrypicking

Here is the breakdown of regular season games the Rays have played since 2008 where attendance was over 30,000:




Notice 2008. 21-2 is an incredible record. But after 2008, the record is 31-15. Here is the Rays record since 2009 when attendance is lower than 12,500 fans:




Remove 2014 and the Rays record with attendance under 12,500 is 31-15 from 2009-2013. Exactly the same record as when attendance exceeds 30,000 from 2009-2014. While the Rays marketing team does want to celebrate a good turn-out, posting the team's record during those games is not needed because it is completely irrelevant.

The tweet invites ignorance

Besides feeding the myth that good turn-out equals a better record (it doesn't), posting the amount of games where attendance exceeds 30,000 invites questioning why the fanbase doesn't turn out to that amount more often.

To date, 15 teams are averaging over 30,000 fans per game. For those fanbases, that's the norm. That is the everyday reality for those fans. Of those 15, five have metro populations equal or lower to the Tampa Bay area:
  • Cardinals: 2.8 million
  • Rockies: 2.7 million
  • Brewers: 1.6 million
  • Reds: 2.1 million
  • Orioles: 2.8 million

We all know the issues behind the Rays attendance why you can't compare it to the attendance of the Cardinals, Rockies, and the other above listed teams. We can also strive to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges and say "weekend attendance isn't bad", etc. But making a public declaration of being what others consider average invites those comparisons. It invites people who aren't as knowledgeable of the situation to question the fanbase. And when attendance is as public as a page on ESPN.com, Rays fans are forced to be on the defensive.

There is a better stat

Instead of tweeting attendance, the Rays twitter team could have pointed to the percentage of metro population expected to attend this weekend's game. Yes, some fans could be arriving from outside the Tampa Bay metro area, but let those fans defend themselves.

"Fans, we have already sold over 30,000 seats for each of this weekend's games! That's over 1% of Tampa Bay!"

Both of those statements are facts and they are only 107 characters. Yes, it is still the same announcement and still below the average draw of the above listed teams. But now there is an extra step to attacking the fanbase.

Let trolls do the math if they want. Few would.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 12, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Tuesday, August 12, 2014:

Total Attendance: 0

No games scheduled.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Clearwater Threshers Phinley wins Minor League Mascot of the Year



For the last few years, Minor League Baseball has conducted an annual online contest to determine the most popular minor league mascot. This season, fans across Minor League Baseball voted for their favorite lions, tigers, bears, fish, aliens, or other anthromorphic mammals.

When the dust settled and the hanging chads meticulously counted, Phinley of the Clearwater Threshers was named 2014 Minor League Baseball Mascot of the Year.

Phinley has been the mascot of the Threshers since they began with the name "Threshers" in 2004. Since 2006, Phinley has been "manned" by Dave Deas of Clearwater. I've corresponded with Dave before and I learned firsthand how seriously he takes his craft. Not many mascots attend Mascot Boot Camp after being in the business for 10 years.

As minor league players rarely stay on a team for more than a season, it is very important for a minor league franchise to have a face fans can identify with. Phinley is that face for the Clearwater Threshers. In recent months, he has been seen all over the Tampa Bay area, from Brighthouse Field to Clearwater Beach to area fairs to conventions to city gatherings.

Online, Phinley is also highly active. His Facebook account has over 1,400 likes and his Twitter account has 665 followers. Besides the fin-tastic banter, Phinley has become known for his great photoshops, many of which put him in pop culture posters, such as Captain America ads, Game of Thrones, screen shots of Sharknado 2, or Shark Week.

His followers are also very active, re-tweeting many of Phinley's posts or interacting with him. This interaction has given Phinley quite the cache in the Clearwater community. Announcements of his victory came from the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Clearwater Regional Chamber, and local resorts. During the voting, the Mayor of Clearwater endorsed Phinley.

I am a huge fan of mascots as marketing tools and Phinley is a mascot done right. Interaction in the community, interaction online, and most importantly, interaction at the stadium with the fanbase. The entire Threshers marketing department should be proud of their mascot's acknowledgment as the best in Minor League Baseball.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 11, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Monday, August 11, 2014:

Total Attendance: 656

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 58 / 59
  • Attendance: 656
  • Starting Pitcher: Jeremy Gabryszwski / Roberto Osuna
  • Opponent: Tampa Yankees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Taylor Garrison / Brett Gerritse
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 959.79
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,121
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 647.33
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 656 (Gabryszwski) / 650.5 (Osuna)
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): Concerts: Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails (amphitheater)

No other games scheduled.

Monday, August 11, 2014

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance - August 10, 2014

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Sunday, August 10, 2014:

Total Attendance: 0

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 58
  • Attendance: Postponed - RAIN
  • Starting Pitcher:
  • Opponent: Tampa Yankees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher:
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 965.31
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,188
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week:
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher:
  • Promotions (if any):
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

No other games scheduled.

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Steinbrenner Field hosts first concert in 18 years



On Saturday night, Steinbrenner Field hosted it's first concert in 18 years. According to the Tampa Bay Times Soundcheck blog, rock bands Linkin Park and Thirty Seconds to Mars played in front of 14,931 fans at the home of the Tampa Yankees.

While concerts have been played at baseball fields for years - The Beatles played Shea Stadium in New York in 1965 - the post-game phenomenon is a relatively new marketing ploy to get fans to the ballpark.

The Tampa Bay Rays have been hosting post-game concerts since 2008. From 2008 to 2013, concerts have added 8.44% to Friday attendance, 5.21% to Saturday attendance, and 10.84% to Sunday attendance.

This year, the Clearwater Threshers started booking post-game concerts. The Threshers have hosted acts such as Coolio, Jamie Lynn Spears, and The Black Honkeys. An O-Town concert is scheduled for later this month. So far, Threshers post-game concerts are averaging 3,221 fans, 437 (15.7%) more than their average attendance.

According to TBT Soundcheck editor Jay Cridlin, no additional shows are booked for Steinbrenner Field. But after the success of Saturday night, there may be a new concert venue in town and the Tampa Yankees could have an new asset in the battle to get fans in the seats.