Thursday, April 30, 2015

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 29, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Wednesday, April 29, 2015:

Total Attendance: 0

No games scheduled.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Minor League Announcer bashes Rays attendance

We all know Rays attendance is an easy target. Being consistently last in the league in anything brings criticism, whether it is last in home runs, last in stolen bases, last in ERA, or whatever the stat. For the last few years, the Rays fanbase has come to expect a certain level of attendance bashing from opposing fans and many members of the media.

But the fanbase usually does not hear attendance bashing from people working within the ranks of professional baseball, unless of course it is from the typical "unnamed source". There is a good reason for that. The Rays problems - if we can call them that - are business problems, and it is unprofessional for people working for MLB or for one franchise to comment on the business of another franchise. If anything, they should be building each other up, not tearing each other down.

Unfortunately, some younger workers of Minor League Baseball haven't yet grasped this concept. Chalk it up to immaturity or lack of professional common sense, but there have been a few Minor League Baseball employees who have made derogatory comments about the Rays business on social media.

Last year, I wrote about former Daytona Cubs employee Robbie Aaron and his comments.

This year, Michael Broskowski, Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Burlington Bees decided he would take to social media and comment on the attendance of the Tampa Bay Rays.




Of what business is attendance at Tropicana Field to an announcer of a team in Burlington, Iowa?

None. Zero. Zilch.

Unless there has been a business-wide call from the Rays for comments on how they can get more people to the park, Broskowski has no need to mention the Rays' business affairs.

Especially considering his own team, the Bees, are a small market team that finished second to last in attendance last year in the Midwest League.

Working in the Minor Leagues should a stepping stone for young professionals like Broskowski. Working at a small team should give him the chance to think creatively, come up with out-of-the-box ideas, and work his tail off in the hopes of climbing the corporate ladder to a position with a Major League club.

But sometimes people get caught up in "what's funny" on social media, even if it is highly unprofessional.

The shame of the situation is that Broskowski does seem like a driven young announcer. A recent college graduate, his resume is full of entry-level announcing gigs. He probably has dreams of moving up in the profession and doing big things. But commenting negatively about teams and fanbases on social media isn't the way to go about that. That is the stuff of ignorant fans and bad sports radio.

Here's hoping Broskowski does the right thing and deletes his tweets on Rays attendance. As an employee in professional baseball, his career might depend on it.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 28, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Tuesday, April 28, 2015:

Total Attendance: 3,959

Clearwater Threshers:
  • Team Home Game #: 8
  • Attendance: 3,444
  • Starting Pitcher: Miguel Nunez
  • Opponent: Tampa Yankees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Eric Ruth
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 3,450
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,866
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 3,585
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 3,319
  • Promotions (if any): $1 Tuesdays
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 12
  • Attendance: 515
  • Starting Pitcher: Luis Santos
  • Opponent: Daytona Tortugas
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Amir Garrett
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 719
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 542
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 552
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 542
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 27, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Monday, April 27, 2015:

Total Attendance: 1,271

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 10
  • Attendance: 713
  • Starting Pitcher: Jonathan Holder
  • Opponent: Clearwater Threshers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Victor Arano
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,398
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 804
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 825
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 842
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 11
  • Attendance: 558
  • Starting Pitcher: Jayson Aquino
  • Opponent: Daytona Tortugas
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Sal Romano
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 738
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 555
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 553
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 599
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 26, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Sunday, April 26, 2015:

Total Attendance: 22,387

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 12
  • Attendance: 21,107
  • Starting Pitcher: Chris Archer
  • Opponent: Toronto Blue Jays
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Mark Buerhle
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 17,545
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 17,592
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 21,449
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 22,152
  • Promotions (if any): Bark at the Park/ Desmond Jennings batting gloves give away
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 9
  • Attendance: 728
  • Starting Pitcher: Chaz Hebert
  • Opponent: Clearwater Threshers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Brendon Leibrant
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,474
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 849
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,568
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 728
  • Promotions (if any): None

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 10
  • Attendance: 552
  • Starting Pitcher: Brad Allen
  • Opponent: Daytona Tortugas
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Nick Travieso
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 756
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 932
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 561
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 909
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 25, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Saturday, April 25, 2015:

Total Attendance: 22,636

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 11
  • Attendance: 19,772
  • Starting Pitcher: Erasmo Ramirez
  • Opponent: Toronto Blue Jays
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Daniel Norris
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 17,221
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 15,836
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 20,298
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 19,722
  • Promotions (if any): Chris Archer Bobblehead
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): Tampa Bay Lightning playoff game (Attendance: 19,204). Tampa Bay Rowdies game (Attendance: 5,460)

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 8
  • Attendance: 1,932
  • Starting Pitcher: Rookie Davis
  • Opponent: Daytona Tartugas
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Jackson Stephens
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,568
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,574
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,932
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,921
  • Promotions (if any): None

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 9
  • Attendance: 932
  • Starting Pitcher: Jeremy Gabryszwski
  • Opponent: Brevard County Manataees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Clint Terry
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 778
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 828
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 932
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 932
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 24, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Friday, April 24, 2015:

Total Attendance: 14,706

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 10
  • Attendance: 11,897
  • Starting Pitcher: Drew Smyly
  • Opponent: Toronto Blue Jays
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: RA Dickey
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 16,966
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 11,897
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 13,825
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 11,897
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): 98 Rock Fest (Amalie Arena)

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 7
  • Attendance: 1,927
  • Starting Pitcher: Conner Kendrick
  • Opponent: Daytona Tartugas
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Nick Howard
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,515
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,395
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,919
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,927
  • Promotions (if any): None

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 9
  • Attendance: 882
  • Starting Pitcher: Murphy Smith
  • Opponent: Brevard County Manataees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Hiram Burgos
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 759
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 777
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,252
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 882
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Friday, April 24, 2015

Blue Jays vs Rays Attendance Review 2007-2014

Tonight, the Rays play the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field for the first time in 2015. This post will look at demographics and attendance trends for Rays home games versus the Blue Jays since 2007.

According to my demographic study last year, there are approximately 2,000,000 baseball fans living in Florida who hail from outside the United States. I do not yet have data on what percentage of this group is from Canada versus more assumed origins such as Cuba or the Caribbean. The 2015 Public Policy Polling survey does not list the Blue Jays as one of the top eight fanbases in Florida.

Despite low Florida-wide support, the City of Dunedin, located 30 minutes from Tropicana Field, does claim a high percentage of Blue Jays fans retiring to Dunedin to be close to Blue Jays Spring Training facilities. According to City-Data.com, 10% of the population of Dunedin is foreign-born, yet the city is 86.6% white. So there might something there.

The following chart shows the Rays home record vs the Blue Jays, average attendance at Tropicana Field when the Blue Jays visit, the overall annual average, and the percentage difference between attendance versus the Blue Jays and the average attendance.




Since 2007, games versus the Blue Jays have drawn 15% less than the average game at Tropicana Field. Since 2012, however, the difference between average attendance and attendance at games versus the Blue Jays has shrunk from 23% to 16%.

The following graph depicts the previous chart.





Here we see the average attendance in games versus the Blue Jays has been consistently around 15,000 per game since 2012. Attendance dropped approximately 2,000 fans per game from 2011 to 2012 and has not yet recovered.

Let's now break out the Blue Jays versus Rays attendance into weekdays or weekends. The Rays usually have significant weekday/weekend attendance splits. In 2014, the Rays saw 52% more fans on weekends than on weekdays.

(Note: I define "weekdays" as Monday through Thursday, or days where the average fan is restricted in time on both sides of the game, whether by work, traffic, or a need to sleep. Weekends are defined as Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - games where fans can stay as late as possible.)

Weekdays (Mon-Thurs)

The following chart depicts how many weekday games were played as well as the average Rays attendance in games versus the Blue Jays on weekdays. The far right column is the percentage difference between average attendance in Blue Jays games and average attendance for the season.




Prior to 2012, the Rays played either 3 or 6 games during the week versus the Blue Jays in the course of a season. In the last two years, the Rays have played 10 games against the Blue Jays, with seven occurring during the week and three scheduled for the weekend.

The following graph depicts the previous chart.




Weekends

The following chart shows how many games were played and, more importantly, Rays attendance on weekend games versus the Blue Jays since 2007. Like the weekday chart, the far right column shows the percentage difference between attendance at Blue Jays games and attendance for all games at Tropicana Field.




Attendance for weekend Blue Jays games has been closer to the Rays average attendance than Blue Jays weekday attendance. Looking at promotions, we might be able to explain why 2008 and 2011 attendance was above average. In 2008, the Rays vs Blue Jays weekend series featured a crowd of over 32,000 to see an MC Hammer post-game concert and in 2011, over 27,000 visited Tropicana Field to see a Miranda Lambert post-game concert.

The following graph depicts the previous chart.




While the Rays average weekend attendance has dropped nearly 6,000 since 2009, weekend attendance versus the Blue Jays has dropped only 3,800 per game.

Not that any drop is good, but comparatively, weekend games versus the Blue Jays have not dropped as much as the general trend.

Conclusion

This season, the Rays play nine home games versus the Blue Jays, six on weekends and three during the week. We can probably predict attendance for the first series will be lower than average due to other events, especially on Saturday, April 25th when the Tampa Bay Lightning continue their playoff run at Amalie Arena and the Tampa Bay Rowdies also play at home at newly renovated Al Lang Stadium. By the end of the season, however, attendance at Rays home games versus the Toronto Blue Jays should settle at 10-15% lower than the overall Rays home attendance average.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 23, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Thursday, April 23, 2015:

Total Attendance: 15,367

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 9
  • Attendance: 13,834
  • Starting Pitcher: Jake Odorizzi
  • Opponent: Boston Red Sox
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Clay Buchholz
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 17,569
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 13,625
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 13,834
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 16,076
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): Nas (Ybor City), Roberta Flack

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 6
  • Attendance: 862
  • Starting Pitcher: Eric Ruth
  • Opponent: Daytona Tartugas
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Amir Garrett
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,447
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 862
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 862
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 862
  • Promotions (if any): None

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 7
  • Attendance: 671
  • Starting Pitcher: Jairo Labourt
  • Opponent: Brevard County Manataees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Jorge Ortega
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 741
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 671
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 655
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 630
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 22, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Wednesday, April 22, 2015:

Total Attendance: 14,589

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 8
  • Attendance: 12,733
  • Starting Pitcher: Nate Karns
  • Opponent: Boston Red Sox
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Joe Kelly
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 17,991
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 13,520
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 13,151
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 14,130
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): Bob Dylan (Ruth Eckerd Hall)

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 5
  • Attendance: 970
  • Starting Pitcher: Jonathan Holder
  • Opponent: Clearwater Threshers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Victor Arano
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,564
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 970
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 970
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 970
  • Promotions (if any): None

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 8
  • Attendance: 749
  • Starting Pitcher: Steven Brault
  • Opponent: Charlotte Stone Crabs
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Chris Kirsch
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 2,239
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,176
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 749
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,557
  • Promotions (if any): None

University of South Florida:
  • Team Home Game #: 28
  • Attendance: 437
  • Opponent: Bethune-Cookman
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 738

No other area games.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Worrying about Yankees vs Rays attendance and a City Council Effect

On Monday, two local articles discussed the low turnout for the Yankees versus Rays series last weekend. Both Charlie Frago of the Tampa Bay Times and Gary Shelton of St. Petersblog looked at the unusually low attendance and asked the same question: Could attendance be impacted by the situation surrounding Tropicana Field and the Rays desire to explore different locations?

Before we get into how to determine that answer, let's look at how current attendance matches up with past trends. (Caution: We are drifting into the attendance equivalent of small sample size.)

Prior to the season, I predicted April attendance will be less than 20,000 per game. My thought was April's turnout will be better than 2011, when the average was 17,376 but probably not better than 2014, when attendance was 19,822 per game. With the Lightning in the playoffs and many new faces on the Rays roster, there is no incentive yet for casual fans to get attached to this team.

So far, seven games in, with five games remaining in April, attendance is averaging 18,742 per game. Which is almost exactly between the 2011 and 2014 numbers. We are not in unknown territory.

Both Frago and Shelton discussed the effect of the Yankees on attendance. Yes, with millions of Yankees fans in Florida, we are accustomed to seeing above average attendance for games against the Bronx Bombers at Tropicana Field. And yes, Friday's attendance was the lowest Friday attendance versus the Yankees in over 12 years.

Saturday wasn't much better.


And with 21,791 at the Trop, Sunday was also a post-Devil Rays low.

However, as Frago discussed but Shelton did not, Rays average per game attendance ended the weekend above its 2014 Game 6 average. Even after a turnout of 14,307 versus the Red Sox Tuesday night, average attendance is still higher than 2014, albeit by only 200 fans (18,742 to 18,539).

So no, Gary Shelton, the "lousy attendance you’ve heard so much about at Tropicana Field" is NOT getting worse. But great job espousing a false narrative.

Frago's article was definitely more well-rounded as instead of pointing blame completely on an unknown new City Council effect, he mentioned the concurrent Lightning playoff games, the Jimmy Buffett concert, and the idea that the Yankees might not be as popular in Florida since Derek Jeter and others retired.

(That final point is debatable since Yankees spring training attendance in Tampa was nearly identical to years prior.)

Neither, however, mentioned the 16,663 fans who attended baseball games in Clearwater and Bradenton over the weekend.

Fortunately for the Rays, there is a saving grace to a poorly attended series against the Yankees. To quote Yoda when Ben Kenobi lamented Luke Skywalker's rash decision to face Darth Vader in Empire Strikes Back, "there is another".

The New York Mets come to town this year. While not as popular as the Yankees, there are many Mets fans in Florida and the Mets may draw enough above the attendance of last year's NL Central opponents to make up for poor attendance during a Yankees series. Especially if Matt Harvey pitches.

Attendance is not a sprint, it is a marathon.

Now, back to the question of the City Council's affect on Rays attendance.

In Frago's article, he quotes the St. Pete mayor's spokesman saying politics does not have an effect on attendance. In Shelton's article, Shelton believes politics may be a cause. Fortunately, there is a way to determine validity.

Polling.

The theses of both articles could be proven or disproven by cold-calling Tampa Bay residents, asking questions, and compiling data. Granted, articles under deadlines don't have the luxury of doing marketing research before editors need their content. But newspapers and other media conduct polls often. Maybe the Tampa Bay Times can conduct a poll to answer some of these questions.

We can only hope the Rays have their own marketing data giving them insight we don't have. Maybe they have relationships with local marketing companies and these companies are polling residents and providing information.

If I was selling a product, I would want to know what my customers thought.

Either way, we should not overreact. Early season trends mean little.

Unless you are Grant Balfour.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 21, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Tuesday, April 21, 2015:

Total Attendance: 18,782

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 7
  • Attendance: 14,307
  • Starting Pitcher: Chris Archer
  • Opponent: Boston Red Sox
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Wade Miley
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 18,742
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 14,307
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 14,107
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 22,675
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

Clearwater Threshers:
  • Team Home Game #: 7
  • Attendance: 3,726
  • Starting Pitcher: Brandon Leibrant
  • Opponent: Tampa Yankees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Chaz Hebert
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 3,451
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,577
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 3,726
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 3,896
  • Promotions (if any): $1 Tuesdays

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 7
  • Attendance: 749
  • Starting Pitcher: Frank Duncan
  • Opponent: Charlotte Stone Crabs
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Ryne Stanek
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 2,452
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,890
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 749
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 749
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Red Sox vs Rays Attendance Review 2007-2014

I'm starting something new this season. Before the first game the Rays play against an opponent in 2015, I will provide an overview of Rays home attendance trends since 2007 in games versus that opponent.

Think of it as a game capsule or series preview, but for the business-minded.

(For the Orioles and Yankees, I'll have this information prior to their second visit to the Trop.)

Tonight, the Rays play the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field for the first time in 2015. Attendance trends for Red Sox games are interesting, as the assumption is that the Red Sox fanbase, like the Yankees fanbase, "fills the Trop" whenever the team visits the Rays.

According to my demographic study last year, there are approximately 1,560,000 New Englanders in Florida. Using polling data to assume 50% are baseball fans and assuming all New Englanders are Boston Red Sox fans, we have an estimated 780,000 Red Sox fans in Florida. That's the 4th largest fanbase in Florida, trailing only the combined Rays/Marlins, the combined Yankees/Mets, and the Braves.

The following chart shows the Rays home record vs the Red Sox, average attendance at Tropicana Field when the Red Sox visit, the annual annual average, and the percentage difference between attendance versus the Red Sox and the average attendance.




Since 2007, games versus the Red Sox have drawn 22% more than the average game at Tropicana Field. Most of the draw, however, was in 2007, 2008, and 2011. Since 2012, games versus the Red Sox have averaged only 18,978 fans.

The following graph depicts the previous chart.




Here we see the average attendance in games versus the Red Sox dropped considerably, from over 33,000 in 2008 to under 17,000 in 2013. It rebounded slightly in 2014, but is still far below even 2007 standards, a year the Red Sox were World Series bound and the Rays still had the Devil in them.

Let's now look at when the Red Sox have a bigger effect: weekdays or weekends. The Rays usually have significant weekday/weekend attendance splits. Could the Red Sox have a smaller effect on weekends when more Rays fans come to the ballpark, or could they have a smaller effect on weekdays due to out-of-market Red Sox fans needing the time to travel to St Petersburg?

(Note: I define "weekdays" as Monday through Thursday, or days where the average fan is restricted in time on both sides of the game, whether by work, traffic, or a need to sleep. Weekends are defined as Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - games where fans can stay as late as possible.)

Weekdays (Mon-Thurs)

The following chart depicts how many weekday games were played as well as the average Rays attendance in games versus the Red Sox on weekdays. The far right column is the percentage difference between average attendance in Red Sox games and average attendance for the season.




In most years, the Rays play either 3 or 6 games during the week versus the Red Sox in the course of a season. The last two years have bucked the trend by having all the Red Sox games on weekdays in 2013 and all but 1 game on weekends in 2014. Before we throw out 2014's small sample size, at only 10,543 fans, that game was the lowest drawing game versus Boston since before 2007.

The following graph depicts the previous chart.




Weekends

The following chart shows how many games were played and, more importantly, Rays attendance on weekend games versus the Red Sox since 2007. Like the weekday chart, the far right column shows the percentage difference between attendance at Red Sox games and attendance for all games at Tropicana Field.




The Red Sox had a bigger effect on attendance on weekend games in 2007 and 2012.Their effect on weekday attendance was greater in 2008-2011 and 2013. In 2014, the Red Sox had no effect on attendance.

The following graph depicts the previous chart.




Weekend attendance versus the Red Sox has plummeted from an average of nearly 33,000 to not even 22,000. The "Red Sox effect" has decreased from 52% in 2007 to 0% in 2014.

While the Rays can't draw 33,000 against the Red Sox anymore due to reduced capacity at Tropicana Field, they haven't drawn over 30,000 in a game versus Boston since 2011 and haven't sold out a game versus the Red Sox since 2010.

Conclusion

The season, the Rays play nine games versus the Red Sox, six on weekends and three during the week. There will be Boston fans in attendance. There will be Rays fans in attendance. But if the patterns and trends continue, there will be less people rooting for either team than in years past.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 20, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Monday, April 20, 2015:

Total Attendance: 6,457

Clearwater Threshers:
  • Team Home Game #: 6
  • Attendance: 1,427
  • Starting Pitcher: David Whitehead
  • Opponent: Tampa Yankees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Rookie Davis
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 3,405
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,427
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,427
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,427
  • Promotions (if any): None

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 6
  • Attendance: 5,030
  • Starting Pitcher: Felipe Gonzalez
  • Opponent: Charlotte Stone Crabs
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Blake Snell
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 2,736
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 5,030
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 5,030
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 5,030
  • Promotions (if any): A/C Warehouse Free Ticket Night

No other area games.

Monday, April 20, 2015

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 19, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Sunday, April 19, 2015:

Total Attendance: 24,415

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 6
  • Attendance: 21,791
  • Starting Pitcher: Matt Andriese
  • Opponent: New York Yankees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Michael Pineda
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 19,481
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 19,456
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 21,791
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 21,791
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

Clearwater Threshers:
  • Team Home Game #: 5
  • Attendance: 1,675
  • Starting Pitcher: Yaksel Rios
  • Opponent: Lakeland Flying Tigers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Kevin Ziomek
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 3,800
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 3,655
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,675
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,675
  • Promotions (if any): None

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 5
  • Attendance: 949
  • Starting Pitcher: Cody Dickson
  • Opponent: Jupiter Hammerheads
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Ryan Newell
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 2,277
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,899
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 997
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 949
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 18, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Saturday, April 18, 2015:

Total Attendance: 28,793

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 5
  • Attendance: 20,824
  • Starting Pitcher: Jake Odorizzi
  • Opponent: New York Yankees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Masahiro Tanaka
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 19,019
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 18,288
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 20,824
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 17,197
  • Promotions (if any): Alex Cobb Gumby giveaway
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): Tampa Bay Lightning playoff game (Amalie Arena) Attendance: 19,204, Jimmy Buffett concert (Amphitheater)

Clearwater Threshers:
  • Team Home Game #: 4
  • Attendance: 6,097
  • Starting Pitcher: Colin Kleven
  • Opponent: Lakeland Flying Tigers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Kenton St. John
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 4,332
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 4,645
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 5,081
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 6,097
  • Promotions (if any): Star Wars Night

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 4
  • Attendance: 1,872
  • Starting Pitcher: Matt Benedict
  • Opponent: Jupiter Hammerheads
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Chris Sadberry
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 2,609
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,375
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 3,258
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,872
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Could the Rays ever deny opposing jerseys and ticket purchases?



Before the first round of the NHL playoffs began, the Tampa Bay Lightning issued two unusual policies. According to the Tampa Tribune, the Lightning restricted ticket sales to Florida residents and also told those who purchase tickets that those wearing opposing team logos would not be allowed in certain areas of Amalie Arena.

The new rules caused quite a tiff in Detroit, home city of the Lightning's first round opponent.

From the Lightning's perspective, the policy makes sense. They want to ensure their fanbase, the fanbase that supported them the entire season, gets priority for playoff tickets. With 1,170,000 Florida residents hailing from Midwest states, and an unknown percentage of those rooting for the Red Wings, it makes sense that the team would want to ensure a pro-Lightning environment.

This policy will not concern the Lightning in the least, as they know they will sell-out playoff games no matter the opponent. And the team has no obligation to cater to Red Wings fans.

Such policies are also not uncommon in baseball. At Chase Field in Phoenix, the Diamondbacks have caught heat for their policy that mandates fans sitting behind home plate wear either Diamondbacks or neutral attire.

Could the Rays ever enact such a policy? Would it behoove them?

Despite over 3.5 million people New York baseball fans living Florida, the Rays would be foolish to ban Yankees attire at Tropicana Field, even if it is visible behind home plate. Yankees fans have increased average game attendance by an average of 30% since 2007. At approximately 9,000 Yankees fans per game times 9 games a year versus the Yankees at Tropicana Field, the Rays sell roughly 81,000 tickets to Yankees fans each year. At approximately $25 per ticket, that's $2,025,000 generated by Yankees fans visiting Tropicana Field.

Or more than the combined salaries of Kevin Kiermaier, Jake Odorizzi, and Brad Boxberger.

Given the Rays' current economic situation and stadium location, inconveniencing Yankees fans would be a bad idea. They have proven to be well-attending and well-spending guests.

Except for last night.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 17, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Friday, April 17, 2015:

Total Attendance: 21,822

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 4
  • Attendance: 15,752
  • Starting Pitcher: Nate Karns
  • Opponent: New York Yankees
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Adam Warren
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 18,567
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 15,752
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 15,752
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 14,829
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): Tampa Bay Storm arena football (Amalie Arena) Attendance: 9,122

Clearwater Threshers:
  • Team Home Game #: 3
  • Attendance: 3,193
  • Starting Pitcher: Miguel Nunez
  • Opponent: Lakeland Flying Tigers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Tommy Collier
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 3,743
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 3,193
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 3,193
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 3,193
  • Promotions (if any): 70's Night featuring Disco Inferno

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 3
  • Attendance: 2,877
  • Starting Pitcher: Steven Brault
  • Opponent: Jupiter Hammerheads
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Scott Lyman
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 2,855
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,877
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 2,877
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,961
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Friday, April 17, 2015

When well-attended exhibitions do not lead to relocation rumors



Years ago, the powers that be moved a baseball team from a historical location, leaving the town baseball-less for the first time in decades.

Since 2014, games featuring professional baseball talent have been held in the old stadium. These annual games have drawn very well and have been glowingly publicized.

Meanwhile, there is a current team in the league that has struggled with attendance, finishing last five years in a row. Despite their struggles at the gate, this current team finished with a higher attendance than the historical team when baseball was played at the historical location. This current team is also involved in stadium negotiations with the city government where they play.

So where is this historical location?

Here's a hint: Jackie Robinson played here.

If you guessed Montreal, you would be wrong.

The location I am talking about is Vero Beach, home of Dodgertown. On April 15th, 2014, Dodgertown hosted the first Jackie Robinson Celebration Game, drawing over 4,000 fans to Holman Stadium to watch the Brevard County Manatees and the Lakeland Flying Tigers. On April 15th, 2015, the Manatees took on the St. Lucie Mets at Dodgertown for the second Jackie Robinson Celebration game, an event that drew 5,915 fans.

Despite the great turn out, no one is advocating the Dunedin Blue Jays move to Vero Beach, despite the Blue Jays consistently low attendance and despite the fact their stadium lease with Dunedin expires in 2017. Moving to Vero Beach hasn't even been an option for the Blue Jays, who initially explored moving to a new facility in West Palm Beach before entering "closed door" negotiations with the City of Dunedin.

The big knock against Vero Beach is market size. Although Dunedin is one of the smallest towns in Minor League Baseball with only 35,321 residents, Vero Beach is even smaller, with only 15,220. And Vero Beach does not have bigger metro area such as Clearwater from which to draw attendance.

But that there isn't even one op-ed advocating the return of Minor League Baseball to Vero Beach is surprising. Not one sports editorial in the TCPalm about how attendance at the two Jackie Robinson Celebration Games is indicative of a passion for baseball in Vero Beach that was ripped away. Not one column about how Vero Beach would embrace the Dunedin Blue Jays and their attendance would be much better at Holman Stadium. It's as if the people of Vero Beach are accepting of their status as a place for baseball exhibitions.

Meanwhile dozens, if not hundreds of articles have been written about the same amount of exhibitions in Montreal.

Tampa Bay Attendance Report - April 16, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Thursday, April 16, 2015:

Total Attendance: 639

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 6
  • Attendance: 639
  • Starting Pitcher: Jayson Aquino
  • Opponent: Bradenton Marauders
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Frank Duncan
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 753
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 582
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 639
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 639
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): Tampa Bay Lightning playoff game (Amalie Arena) Attendance: 19,204

No other area games.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Predicting Rays attendance during Tampa Bay Lightning Playoff Games

(This post is an update to last year's post on the same subject.)

Tonight, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Detroit Red Wings in Game 1 of the first round of the NHL Playoffs. This is the second year in a row the Lightning have made the playoffs, and the fourth time since 2007.

The Lightning's extended schedule means they will play at least 1 game at the same time as the Rays for the first time in 2015. Overlapping schedules is not an unusual occurrence; since 2007, Rays and Lightning have played on the same day 16 times (4 times in 2007, 3 times in 2010, 4 times in 2011, 1 time in 2013, and 4 times in 2014). Of these, 7 occurred while the Lightning were in the playoffs and 2 others occurred on the Rays home opener.

Overlapping schedules leads to an interesting dilemma for Tampa Bay area sports fans. The importance of the Lightning games and their popularity in the Tampa Bay area usually means support and interest is high. On the other hand, the Rays season is only beginning and fans have at least 70 more opportunities to see the team play at Tropicana Field.

Assuming fans are followers of both teams, they have three options:
  • Go to Amalie Arena to see the LIghtning
  • Go to Tropicana Field to see the Rays
  • Stay home or go to a sports bar and watch both games

2 of these 3 options have fans declining a trip to Tropicana Field.

The following chart depicts the days the Tampa Bay Rays have played on the same day as the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Highlighted boxes = Lightning playoff games.
D/N = Day or Night game.
Rays Avg Annual Attendance/Day” is the Rays average attendance on that day during that year (for example: 19,452 is the Friday average attendance during 2007).
% Difference” is the percentage difference between the Rays attendance during that particular game and the Rays average attendance on that day for the year.




Before 2014, the only times Rays games matched or drew over their daily average attendance, was on Opening Day (4/6/2007 and 4/6/2010) or against the New York Yankees (4/10/2010 and 4/24/2013). On April 5, 2014, the Rays did something they had never done before - drew above their daily average while the Lightning played on a day that was not Opening Day and against an opponent that was not the Yankees.

Why did the Rays draw over 30,000 fans to an early April game against the Rangers? The only possibility I can find is that April 5th, 2014 was Wil Myers Bobblehead Night. Bobbleheads are a popular promotion and do increase attendance. From 2009 to 2013, for example, bobbleheads increased attendance by an average of nearly 22%. So perhaps 25% is not too incredible, although it is impressive.

Fortunately for the Rays, past trends are in their favor to not see an attendance drop while the Lightning play in the first round of the NHL playoffs. The below chart shows Lightning first round game dates concurrent with Rays games.




First and foremost for the Rays, these games are on Saturdays, which usually draw better attendance than weekday games. Second, they play the Yankees on 4/18, and Yankees games bring an influx of Florida-based Yankees fans who greatly aid attendance. Third, the Rays are hosting promotions on both days - an Alex Cobb gumby figure on 4/18 and a Chris Archer bobblehead on 4/25. Given these circumstances, I would estimate the Rays exceed their Saturday average on 4/18 and are within +/- 5% of the average on 4/25.

Of course, the Lightning could defeat the Red Wings and move on to Round 2 of the NHL Playoffs. If that occurs, there could be more days when the Rays and the Lightning play simultaneously. And there could be more days where the battle for the hearts, minds, and dollars of Tampa Bay sports fans is directly identifiable.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 15, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Wednesday, April 15, 2015:

Total Attendance: 1,116

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 5
  • Attendance: 552
  • Starting Pitcher: Brad Allen
  • Opponent: Bradenton Marauders
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Felipe Gonzalez
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 776
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 563
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 552
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,087
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): The Who concert (Amalie Arena)

University of South Florida:
  • Team Home Game #: 24
  • Attendance: 564
  • Opponent : Stetson University
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 764

No other area games.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Ben's Biz visits Tampa Bay Minor League Baseball



A few years ago, I wrote for a Minor League Baseball blog called "Bus Leagues Baseball". In the years I wrote for them, I had the chance to meet with several important movers and shakers in Minor League Baseball. Few were more important than Ben Hill, purveyor of all that is Minor League business and promotions.

Every year, Ben leaves his home and ventures across the highways and bi-ways of America to visit a different minor leagues. This year, his journey includes the Florida State League. As is his routine, he chronicles each location with a short review, some interesting tweets, and vine video or three. Then, when he returns to his home, he writes full reviews of his journey.

It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.

While in the Tampa Bay area, Ben visited Bradenton, Tampa, and Dunedin. He did not visit Clearwater, as he saw the Threshers in a previous visit a few years ago.

On Saturday, Ben visited McKechnie Field in Bradenton, home of the Marauders.

On Sunday, he visited Steinbrenner Field, home of the Tampa Yankees.

On Monday, I met Ben as well as former Birmingham Barons employee and local resident Jeff Perro at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin to see the Blue Jays take on the Marauders.

Due to health concerns, Ben usually has a volunteer sample some of the stadium food for his ballpark reviews. After the first recruit passed, I gladly stepped in.



Thanks, Ben!

With my background in Minor League writing, I like to keep an eye out for folks visiting the Tampa Bay minor league scene. Every year, there is always someone of interest. Last year, Professor Steven Ericson of the University of Alabama swung through and wrote about his experiences. This year, it was the great Benjamin Hill.

I'll be sure to link to Ben's further writing on his visit.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 14, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Tuesday, April 14, 2015:

Total Attendance: 2,185

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 4
  • Attendance: 1,596
  • Starting Pitcher: Melvin Morla
  • Opponent: Fort Myers Miracle
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Luke Westphal
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,712
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,266
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,596
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,596
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 4
  • Attendance: 589
  • Starting Pitcher: Jairo Labourt
  • Opponent: Bradenton Marauders
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Cody Dickson
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 832
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 569
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 589
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 589
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Tampa Bay Area Spring Training Attendance 2015

Last week, the Florida Sports Foundation published attendance figures for the 2015 Grapefruit League season. According to the report, total Spring Training attendance across Florida increased 8.1%, eclipsing 1.5 million for the 13th time in 16 years.

But how did the four teams in the Tampa Bay area do?

Since 2008, there have been four teams training in the Tampa Bay area: the Yankees (Tampa), Blue Jays (Dunedin), Phillies (Clearwater), and Pirates (Bradenton).

The current capacities for each team’s stadium are as follows:
  • Steinbrenner Field (Yankees): 11,000
  • Bright House Field (Phillies): 8,500
  • McKechnie Field (Pirates): 8,500
  • Florida Auto Exchange Stadium (Blue Jays): 5,521

The biggest news in the area was at Bradenton's McKechnie Field. In its second year after major park improvements, and with an improved Pirates team, the Pirates set a single day stadium record with 9,018 fans for a game against the Detroit Tigers. They also set a record for day-game attendance with 8,963 fans against the Boston Red Sox.

Here are updated charts and graphs of Tampa Bay area Spring Training attendance from 2005-2015. From 2005-2008, this chart includes the Tampa Bay Rays, who trained in St. Petersburg before moving to Port Charlotte.

Tampa Bay Area Overall Spring Training Attendance:




In 2015, Spring Training attendance in the Tampa Bay area decreased 0.87%, or an average of 68 fans per game. That's not bad at all, but it is far below the overall Grapefruit League gain of 8.1%. The following chart shows the yearly total averages and percentage increase or decrease of all spring training in the Tampa Bay area since 2005.




Total 2015 Tampa Bay area Spring Training attendance looks a lot like 2012 area Spring attendance. Overall, area attendance seems to have plateaued since 2010, varying only between 7,540 and 7,722 per game over the last six years.

The following graph breaks out individual team per game attendance.




In 2015, two teams in the Tampa Bay area had an increases in per game Spring Training attendance and two had decreases.
  • Blue Jays: +1.77%
  • Yankees: +0.08%
  • Phillies: -1.97%
  • Pirates: -6.79%

Blue Jays spring training attendance since 2005:




In 2015, the Blue Jays gained in both total attendance and attendance per game. Their per game average was its highest in the last 10 years.

Yankees spring training attendance since 2005:




In 2015, the Yankees played more Spring Training home games versus Major League opponents than at any point in 10 years (I am not counting exhibitions versus college teams.). As a result, they set a 10-year attendance high.

Phillies spring training attendance since 2005:




In 2015, the Phillies total Spring Training attendance increased, however, their per game average dropped by 161 fans per game. If we look since 2012, Phillies per game attendance has dropped over 1,400 fans per game. We might be able to explain this drop on team performance and the Phillies' fall from NL East prominence.

Pirates spring training attendance since 2005:




Whereas the Pirates did eclipse 100,000 total fans at McKechnie Park for the first time and set a total attendance record and they did set individual game attendance records, average attendance per game was down from 2014. 2015 per game attendance was higher than all other years, however.

Conclusion:

Given the state of their respective teams, I would not be surprised to see the Pirates spring training attendance equal or surpass the Phillies spring attendance in 2016. If one dropped 10% and the other gained 10%, it would be very close.

I also don't expect to see any change in the Yankees spring training attendance. Yankees spring training attendance has been incredibly consistent. They have been at or over 90% capacity every year since 2005. Steinbrenner Field is built for Spring Training and with the large amount of Yankees fans in Florida, tickets to Yankees games are in high demand.

Blue Jays spring training will be interesting to watch in the next few years. We can expect to see developments soon in a possible lease extension between the Blue Jays and the City of Dunedin. As part of the agreement, the Blue Jays might want an upgrade to Auto Exchange Stadium. How much the upgrade will cost, how much they do, and if they have the room to expand the stadium will be big questions. And will the upgrades have any impact on attendance?

For now, however, although Tampa Bay spring training attendance didn't increase at the rate of the rest of the state, drawing people to see Major Leaguers get ready for the season is still big business in Tampa Bay, and business is good.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 13, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Monday, April 13, 2015:

Total Attendance: 1,484

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 3
  • Attendance: 936
  • Starting Pitcher: Jhon Morban
  • Opponent: Fort Myers Miracle
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Ryan Eades
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,751
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 936
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 936
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 936
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): Dave Chappelle (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 3
  • Attendance: 548
  • Starting Pitcher: Scott Silverstein
  • Opponent: Bradenton Marauders
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Matt Benedict
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 913
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 548
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 548
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 548
  • Promotions (if any): None

No other area games.

Monday, April 13, 2015

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 12, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Sunday, April 12, 2015:

Total Attendance: 4,537

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 2
  • Attendance: 1,044
  • Starting Pitcher: Steven Brault
  • Opponent: St. Lucie Mets
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Logan Taylor
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 2,844
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,843
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,044
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,044
  • Promotions (if any):
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): Tampa Bay Blues Fest

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 2
  • Attendance: 2,407
  • Starting Pitcher: Derek Callahan
  • Opponent: Lakeland Flying Tigers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Tommy Collier
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 2,159
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,159
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 2,407
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 2,407
  • Promotions (if any): None

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 2
  • Attendance: 569
  • Starting Pitcher: Luis Santos
  • Opponent: Clearwater Threshers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Miguel Nunez
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,096
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,096
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 569
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 569
  • Promotions (if any): None

University of South Florida:
  • Team Home Game #: 23
  • Attendance: 517
  • Opponent: East Carolina
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 765

No other area games.

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 11, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Saturday, April 11, 2015:

Total Attendance: 9,576

Bradenton Marauders:
  • Team Home Game #: 1
  • Attendance: 4,643
  • Starting Pitcher: Frank Duncan
  • Opponent: St. Lucie Mets
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Marcos Molina
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 4,643
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 4,643
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 4,643
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 4,643
  • Promotions (if any): Opening Day
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): Tampa Bay Lightning home game (Amalie Arena). Attendance: 19,204. .Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer match (Al Lang Stadium). Attendance: 7,010

Clearwater Threshers:
  • Team Home Game #: 2
  • Attendance: 4,065
  • Starting Pitcher: Brandon Leibrandt
  • Opponent: Dunedin Blue Jays
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Jayson Aquino
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 4,018
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 4,018
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 4,065
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 4,065
  • Promotions (if any): Fireworks

University of South Florida:
  • Team Home Game #: 22
  • Attendance: 868
  • Opponent: East Carolina
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 779

No other area games.

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 10, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Friday, April 10, 2015:

Total Attendance: 4,394

Tampa Yankees:
  • Team Home Game #: 1
  • Attendance: 1,910
  • Starting Pitcher: Rookie Davis
  • Opponent: Lakeland Flying Tigers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Jonathan Maciel
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,910
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,910
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,910
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,910
  • Promotions (if any): Opening Day
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): Tampa Bay Storm home game (Amalie Arena). Attendance: 8,588.

Dunedin Blue Jays:
  • Team Home Game #: 1
  • Attendance: 1,622
  • Starting Pitcher: Brad Allen
  • Opponent: Clearwater Threshers
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: David Whitehead
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 1,622
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,622
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,622
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,622
  • Promotions (if any): Opening Day

University of South Florida:
  • Team Home Game #: 21
  • Attendance: 862
  • Opponent: East Carolina
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 774

No other area games.

Friday, April 10, 2015

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 9, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Thursday, April 9, 2015:

Total Attendance: 3,971

Clearwater Threshers:
  • Team Home Game #: 1
  • Attendance: 3,971
  • Starting Pitcher: Matt Imhof
  • Opponent: Dunedin Blue Jays
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Jairo Labourt
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 3,971
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 3,971
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 3,971
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 3,971
  • Promotions (if any): Opening Day
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): Tampa Bay Lightning home game (Amalie Arena). Attendance: 19,204.

No other area games.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 8, 2015

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Wednesday, April 8, 2015:

Total Attendance: 13,569

Tampa Bay Rays:
  • Team Home Game #: 3
  • Attendance: 13,569
  • Starting Pitcher: Jake Odorizzi
  • Opponent: Baltimore Orioles
  • Opponent Starting Pitcher: Miguel Gonzalez
  • Avg Attendance to Date: 19,506
  • Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 19,506
  • Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 13,569
  • Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 13,569
  • Promotions (if any): None
  • Other Factors (conflicting events, etc): None

No other area games.

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Comparing the Rays Facebook Popularity from 2014 to 2015

Last week, the Sports on Facebook webpage published an updated examination of MLB fanbases in the US. Although this is derived solely on Facebook members and "likes", according to a recent Pew Study, 58% of American adults are on Facebook. So this is definitely data that is relevant.

Here is a close-up of Florida fanbases according to Facebook:




As you can see, the Braves and Yankees have strong fanbases in Florida. There is nothing surprising about this. I explored Florida baseball fan demographics last year and concluded there are 2.3 million fans of New York baseball in Florida (~80% Yankees fans) and approximately 682,000 Braves fans in Florida.

We don't need to beat that horse any more.

But worth exploring is how this 2015 map compares to the New York Times/Facebook MLB Fanbase study from 2014. Here is that map:




These maps are quite different, but gave the same data. The 2014 study dove deeper into zip codes and provided a percentage breakdown of each county and zip. Using both maps, we can determine if the Rays "won" any counties since last year. This is similar to presidential campaigns, where the goal is to win districts, as winning a district means having a majority of the voters. Here, winning a county means having a majority of the baseball fans.

In 2014, the following 13 counties were "Rays Counties":
  • Citrus
  • DeSoto
  • Hardee
  • Hernando
  • Highlands
  • Hillsborough
  • Leon
  • Manatee
  • Pasco
  • Pinellas
  • Polk
  • Sarasota
  • Wakulla

In 2015, the following 15 counties are "Rays Counties":
  • Alachua
  • Charlotte
  • Citrus
  • DeSoto
  • Dixie
  • Gilchrist
  • Hardee
  • Hernando
  • Hillsborough
  • Highlands
  • Manatee
  • Pasco
  • Pinellas
  • Polk
  • Sarasota

From 2014 to 2015, the Rays gained a majority of fans in four counties: Alachua, Charlotte, Dixie, and Gilchrist. They lost the majority in Leon and Wakulla counties. They won Alachua, Dixie, and Gilchrist from the Yankees and Charlotte County from a Yankees/Red Sox tie. They lost Leon and Wakulla counties to the Braves.

A simple guess why the panhandle counties and Alachua switched could be the demographics of college students. In 2014, there might have been more Florida State University students who "liked" the Rays than other teams and in 2015 there might be more University of Florida Rays fans in Alachua County than before. The student bodies of the universities have a big impact on fan preference in those counties.

2016 Rays Market Goals

Looking ahead, the Rays should look to expand their fanbase. Here are three steps the Rays should take.

1) Win neighboring counties: Logical next counties to focus on would be Levy, Glades, and Sumter. The following chart depicts currently held counties and areas the Rays should try to win:




Targeting Levy County would connect the center of the Rays market with the Dixie-Gilchrist-Alachua gains. Sumter County would make inroads into North-Central Florida. According to the 2014 study, the Rays were 1% behind the Yankees in fan preference in each county.

Targeting Glades County would give the Rays a border between them and what should be the Marlins market. According to the 2014 study, the Rays were 2% behind the leading Yankees in Glades County.

2) Focus on the metro areas: The Rays should focus marketing efforts in Ocala and Orlando in Marion and Orange County, respectively. These metro areas are highly in favor of the Yankees - 24% to 12% in Marion Cty and 32% to 10% in Orange Cty - albeit possibly for different reasons.

Marion County contains a high amount of retiree communities, to include The Villages, America's fastest growing town. Fans with set rooting interests will not be easily swayed, but could buy tickets nonetheless.

Orange County, to include Orlando, is a different challenge for the Rays. As I mentioned in my demographic post, over 300,000 people of Hispanic descent live in Central Florida. Recent polling shows Florida Hispanics prefer the Yankees over the Rays by a ratio of over four-to-one (22% to 5%). While this number includes the Miami area, which is out of the Rays area, no doubt it also includes Central Florida.

The age of the Hispanic market works to the Rays advantage. Assuming new baseball fans will be born in Central Florida, with the right players and marketing effort, this area could be easier to win. But it will take a great effort by the Rays to win the statewide Hispanic market from the Yankees and the Marlins.

3) Increase the base - According to the 2014 study, the Rays strongest counties are Pinellas (56%), Hillsborough (51%), and Pasco (47%). Most teams in Major League Baseball have at least one county with 60% preference. Getting Pinellas to 60% and Pasco to 50% could be achievable goals, although the Pinellas-Hillsborough "battle" on the Rays future could hurt preference in both until the issue is settled.

The Rays and Marlins both face an uphill battle in winning Florida. Ideally, Florida would have fault lines like Kansas City and St. Louis, with fanbases for each team narrowly winning counties on the periphery of their cities. But Florida's diverse demographics has made outside influences very powerful and the job of the Rays and Marlins marketing departments very difficult.

If comparing 2014 to 2015 is any indication, the Rays are slowly winning the battle.