Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 15, 2017

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Saturday, April 15, 2017:

Total Attendance: 5,584

Tampa Yankees:

• Team Home Game #: 9
• Attendance: 1,414
• Starting Pitcher: Zack Littel
• Opponent: Bradenton Marauders
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Gage Hinsz
• Avg Attendance to Date: 973
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,095
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,414
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,092
• Promotions (if any): Easter Egg Hunt
• Other local events: Tampa Bay Storm @ Amalie Arena: attendance: 9,071

Clearwater Threshers:

• Team Home Game #: 7
• Attendance: 4,170
• Starting Pitcher: Alberto Tirado
• Opponent: Palm Beach Cardinals
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Ryan Helsley
• Avg Attendance to Date: 3,535
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,875
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 4,170
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 4,170
• Promotions (if any): Fireworks

University of South Florida:

• Team Home Game #: 27
• Attendance: 680
• Opponent: Cincinnati
• Avg Attendance to Date: 831

No other local games scheduled.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 8, 2017

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Saturday, April 8, 2017:

Total Attendance: 31,187

Tampa Bay Rays:

• Team Home Game #: 6
• Attendance: 21,838
• Starting Pitcher: Chris Archer
• Opponent: Toronto Blue Jays
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Aaron Sanchez
• Avg Attendance to Date: 18,471
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 15,786
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 21,838
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 26,440
• Promotions (if any): Kevin Kiermaier bobblehead
• Other local events: Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer, Al Lang Stadium (attendance 7,710)

Bradenton Marauders:

• Team Home Game #: 1
• Attendance: 6,213
• Starting Pitcher: Mitch Keller
• Opponent: Charlotte Stone Crabs
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Jose Mujica
• Avg Attendance to Date: 6,213
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 6,213
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 6,213
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 6,213
• Promotions (if any): Opening Day

Dunedin Blue Jays:

• Team Home Game #: 1
• Attendance: 2,010
• Starting Pitcher: TJ Zeuch
• Opponent: Clearwater Threshers
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Franklyn Kilome
• Avg Attendance to Date: 2,010
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,010
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 2,010
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 2,010
• Promotions (if any): Opening Day

University of South Florida Baseball:

• Team Home Game #: 23
• Attendance: 1,126
• Opponent: University of Central Florida
• Avg Attendance to Date: 800

No other local games scheduled.

First ever USF baseball alumnus in World Series

According to Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times, Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Dan Otero was the first ever USF baseball alumnus to reach the World Series. Since 1967, the Bulls have played baseball and not once before Otero had a Bulls player made the Fall Classic.

In the program's history, there have been 17 players make the Major Leagues and 132 in professional baseball. There are currently only two Major Leaguers: Otero and Kevin Quackenbush of the San Diego Padres.

College baseball lives in an interesting niche. Local layers good enough to be drafted skip the college level and go directly to the minor leagues - Jose Fernandez and Dwight Gooden come to mind - and the best college players tend to go to the schools with the more success such as Florida State or University of Florida.

Having players make the news for positive accomplishments in their sport can help the popularity of USF baseball. Winning programs develop athletes who tend to do better at the professional level. When that happens, recruits notice and want to be part of the success. Recruits are attracted to and cause more buzz, which leads to more campus interest and higher attendance. Buzz also leads to more booster dollars which leads to better facilities which increases buzz even more.

I'm not saying all this will happen because a well-traveled middle reliever pitched a few innings in the World Series, but it's a start. If the Indians win the World Series, perhaps Otero can bring his ring back to USF to show the current Bulls roster.

While the Tampa area is known for so many quality baseball players through the years, it's good to see the local university getting some baseball recognition.

Rays tap USF Sports Marketing Professor for ideas

I'm not sure what the date on this news is, but according to a press release by the University of South Florida, USF professor Mike Mondello will be working with the Rays throughout the fall in an attempt to help their marketing department.

Per the release:

Sport & Entertainment Management Professor Mike Mondello will use analytics to work with Rays senior management on long-term issues critical to the success of the organization. Mondello will be the first faculty extern for the college, where faculty take time away from teaching and research to help businesses find creative solutions to the issues they face. The externship also gives faculty members a chance to connect with the business community

Using USF Sports Marketing folks is not uncommon for the Rays. Last year, I wrote about a program the team used to bring in interns from the college. The students were used to research how flex packs are being used.

Mondello is also no stranger to commenting about the Rays and the Tampa Bay sports market. He has been quoted in local media several times in regards to the Rays, to include how competitive the market is between the Rays and the Lightning and how the MLB Commissioner is looking to spark the stadium talks. His research and experience in sports marketing is extensive.

I've often said Tampa Bay is one of the most complicated sports markets, especially in regards to baseball, in the country. This is a very smart move by the Rays. With a sports marketing professor on board for the last quarter of the 2016 season, the Rays can pick his brain for ideas they can use in 2017 and beyond. Mondello can then bring his experiences back to USF and bring the Rays problems into the academic laboratories, where students can come up with ideas. This further creates a pipeline between the Rays and USF.

As Jonah Keri wrote years ago, the Rays are an organization always looking for an edge. If tapping into academia gives them a slight advantage over other sports or local venues, then they will fare better in the battle for hearts, minds, and dollars.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - May 27, 2016

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Friday, May 27, 2016:

Total Attendance: 20,492

Tampa Bay Rays:

• Team Home Game #: 24
• Attendance: 14,697
• Starting Pitcher: Chris Archer
• Opponent: New York Yankees
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Masahiro Tanaka
• Avg Attendance to Date: 16,430
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 14,697
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 14,945
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 16,879
• Promotions (if any): $15 Student tickets
• Other local events: R. Kelly Concert @ Amalie Arena

Bradenton Marauders:

• Team Home Game #: 21 / 22
• Attendance: 5,253
• Starting Pitcher: Colten Brewer / Jose Regalado
• Opponent: St Lucie Mets
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Corey Oswalt / Kevin McGowan
• Avg Attendance to Date: 1,669
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,094
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 3,736
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 3,144 / 5,253
• Promotions (if any): Fan Appreciation Night

Dunedin Blue Jays:

• Team Home Game #: 28
• Attendance: 542
• Starting Pitcher: Francisco Rios
• Opponent: Daytona Tortugas
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Seth Varner
• Avg Attendance to Date: 742
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 639
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 581
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,334
• Promotions (if any): Buy one, Get one Margaritas

University of South Florida Bulls:

• Playoff Game @ Bright House Field
• Attendance: 644
• Opponent: Memphis Tigers

No other local games played.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - May 21, 2016

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Saturday, May 21, 2016:

Total Attendance: 8,442

Bradenton Marauders:

• Team Home Game #: 19
• Attendance: 2,616
• Starting Pitcher: Colten Brewery
• Opponent: Dunedin Blue Jays
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Chris Rowley
• Avg Attendance to Date: 1,572
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 3,079
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 2,764
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 2,485
• Promotions (if any): Superhero Night
• Other local events: None

Clearwater Threshers:

• Team Home Game #: 21
• Attendance: 5,237
• Starting Pitcher: Tyler Viza
• Opponent: Palm Beach Cardinals
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Jack Flaherty
• Avg Attendance to Date: 3,155
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 4,155
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 5,611
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 3,403
• Promotions (if any): Fireworks / Pre-Game Concert: Greg Billings

University of South Florida Bulls:

• Team Home Game #: 35
• Attendance: 589
• Opponent: UConn
• Avg Attendance to Date: 761

No other local games scheduled.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - May 20, 2016

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Friday, May 20, 2016:

Total Attendance: 7,534

Bradenton Marauders:

• Team Home Game #: 17
• Attendance: 3,542
• Starting Pitcher: Stephen Tarpley
• Opponent: Dunedin Blue Jays
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Conner Greene
• Avg Attendance to Date: 1,511
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 3,542
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 3,231
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 3,542
• Promotions (if any): Faith and Family Night - Concert: Peter Furler and His Band
• Other local events: Tampa Bay Lightning NHL Playoff Game @ Amalie Arena (Attendance: 19,042)

Clearwater Threshers:

• Team Home Game #: 20
• Attendance: 3,073
• Starting Pitcher: Elniery Garcia
• Opponent: Palm Beach Cardinals
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Austin Gomber
• Avg Attendance to Date: 3,045
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 3,073
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 4,094
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 3,227
• Promotions (if any): Free Shirt Friday / Post game concert: The Afters

University of South Florida Bulls:

• Team Home Game #: 34
• Attendance: 919
• Opponent: UConn
• Avg Attendance to Date: 766

No other local games scheduled.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - May 19, 2016

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Thursday, May 19, 2016:

Total Attendance: 2,435

Dunedin Blue Jays:

• Team Home Game #: 24
• Attendance: 1,093
• Starting Pitcher: Justin Shafer
• Opponent: Fort Myers Miracle
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Felix Jorge
• Avg Attendance to Date: 780
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,044
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 934
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 785
• Promotions (if any): Wing Night / Thirsty Thursday
• Other local events: None

Tampa Yankees:

• Team Home Game #: 26
• Attendance: 886
• Starting Pitcher: Chance Adams
• Opponent: Jupiter Hammerheads
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Jeff Brigham
• Avg Attendance to Date: 1,456
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 783
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 2,830
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,410
• Promotions (if any): Happy Hour Thursday

University of South Florida Bulls:

• Team Home Game #: 33
• Attendance: 456
• Opponent: UConn
• Avg Attendance to Date: 762

No other local games scheduled.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - May 17, 2016

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Tuesday, May 17, 2016:

Total Attendance: 2,126

Dunedin Blue Jays:

• Team Home Game #: 22
• Attendance: 2,126
• Starting Pitcher: Francisco Rios
• Opponent: Fort Myers Miracle
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Tyler Jay
• Avg Attendance to Date: 779
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,302
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,419
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 2,126
• Promotions (if any): Education Day
• Other local events:

Tampa Yankees:

• Team Home Game #: 24
• Attendance: POSTPONED - Rain
• Opponent: Jupiter Hammerheads

University of South Florida Bulls:

• Team Home Game #: 33
• Attendance: POSTPONED - Rain

No other local games scheduled.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - May 7, 2016

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Saturday, May 7, 2016:

Total Attendance: 4,457

Tampa Yankees:

• Team Home Game #: 18
• Attendance: 1,728
• Starting Pitcher: Chance Adams
• Opponent: Clearwater Threshers
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Michael Mariot
• Avg Attendance to Date: 1,657
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,793
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 2,305
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,602
• Promotions (if any): Post-game Fireworks
• Other events: None

Bradenton Marauders:

• Team Home Game #: 14
• Attendance: 1,265
• Starting Pitcher: Austen Coley
• Opponent: Charlotte Stone Crabs
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Greg Harris
• Avg Attendance to Date: 1,490
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,361
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 2,812
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 882
• Promotions (if any): Seinfeld Night

Dunedin Blue Jays:

• Team Home Game #: 13
• Attendance: 927
• Starting Pitcher: Ryan Borucki
• Opponent: Daytona Tortugas
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Seth Varner
• Avg Attendance to Date: 792
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 717
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,009
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 891
• Promotions (if any): Junior Jays Saturday

University of South Florida Bulls:

• Team Home Game #: 31
• Attendance: 537
• Avg Attendance to Date: 780

No other local games scheduled.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - May 6, 2016

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Friday, May 6, 2016:

Total Attendance: 4,551

Tampa Yankees:

• Team Home Game #: 17
• Attendance: 1,283
• Starting Pitcher: Ian Clarkin
• Opponent: Clearwater Threshers
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Ranfi Casimiro
• Avg Attendance to Date: 1,652
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 3,149
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,343
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,824
• Promotions (if any): Wing Deal Friday
• Other events: None

Bradenton Marauders:

• Team Home Game #: 13
• Attendance: 2,013
• Starting Pitcher: Yuedy Garcia
• Opponent: Charlotte Stone Crabs
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Benton Moss
• Avg Attendance to Date: 1,508
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,409
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 3,076
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,913
• Promotions (if any): Free Shirt / Scout Night

Dunedin Blue Jays:

• Team Home Game #: 12
• Attendance: 674
• Starting Pitcher: Brad Allen
• Opponent: Daytona Tortugas
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Keury Mella
• Avg Attendance to Date: 781
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 612
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 663
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 674
• Promotions (if any): None

University of South Florida Bulls:

• Team Home Game #: 30
• Attendance: 581
• Avg Attendance to Date: 781

No other local games scheduled.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - May 1, 2016

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Sunday, May 1, 2016:

Total Attendance: 29,490

Tampa Bay Rays:

• Team Home Game #: 16
• Attendance: 27,217
• Starting Pitcher: Jake Odorizzi
• Opponent: Toronto Blue Jays
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Marcus Stroman
• Avg Attendance to Date: 16,564
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 18,430
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 26,689
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 16,943
• Promotions (if any): Pitch-grip baseball giveaway
• Other events:
  
  • Tampa Bay Storm Home Game @ Amalie Arena (Attendance: 8,438)

Clearwater Threshers:

• Team Home Game #: 14
• Attendance: 1,384
• Starting Pitcher: Tyler Viza
• Opponent: Lakeland Flying Tigers
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: AJ Ladwig
• Avg Attendance to Date: 3,107
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 3,657
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,410
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 3,372
• Promotions (if any): Brunch at the Park

Tampa Yankees:

• Team Home Game #: 14
• Attendance: 889
• Starting Pitcher: Josh Rogers
• Opponent: Brevard County Manatees
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Eric Hanhold
• Avg Attendance to Date: 1,307
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,358
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,102
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 889
• Promotions (if any): Family Funday

University of South Florida Bulls:

• Team Home Game #: 28
• Attendance: 534
• Opponent: University of Central Florida
• Avg Attendance to Date: 774

No other local games scheduled.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 30, 2016

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Saturday, April 30, 2016:
Total Attendance: 23,907

Tampa Bay Rays:

• Team Home Game #: 15
• Attendance: 14,948
• Starting Pitcher: Chris Archer
• Opponent: Toronto Blue Jays
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: JA Happ
• Avg Attendance to Date: 15,854
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 16,966
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 22,699
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 17,425
• Promotions (if any): Chris Archer Bobblehead
• Other events:
  • Tampa Bay Lightning Playoff Game @ Amalie Arena
  • Tampa Mayor's Mac & Cheese Showdown @ Curtis Hixon Park

Clearwater Threshers:

• Team Home Game #: 13
• Attendance: 4,337
• Starting Pitcher: Elniery Garcia
• Opponent: Lakeland Flying Tigers
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Jairo Labourt
• Avg Attendance to Date: 3,240
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 4,793
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 5,799
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 3,304
• Promotions (if any): Police Charity Softball and Fireworks

Tampa Yankees:

• Team Home Game #: 12 / 13
• Attendance: 1,828
• Starting Pitcher: Ian Clarkin / Chance Adams
• Opponent: Brevard County Manatees
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Kodi Medeiros / Angel Ventura
• Avg Attendance to Date: 1,342
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,828
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 2,594
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,959 / 1,571
• Promotions (if any): Autism Heroes Night

University of South Florida Bulls:

• Team Home Game #: 27
• Attendance: 2,794
• Opponent: University of Central Florida
• Avg Attendance to Date: 783

No other local games scheduled.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 26, 2016

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Tuesday, April 26, 2016:

Total Attendance: 13,029

Tampa Bay Rays:

• Team Home Game #: 12
• Attendance: 10,998
• Starting Pitcher: Jake Odorizzi
• Opponent: Baltimore Orioles
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Ubaldo Jimenez
• Avg Attendance to Date: 16,445
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 11,997
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 11,346
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 13,518
• Promotions (if any): $2 Kids Tuesday
• Other events: None

Bradenton Marauders:

• Team Home Game #: 7
• Attendance: 757
• Starting Pitcher: Yeudy Garcia
• Opponent: Palm Beach Cardinals
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Austin Gomber
• Avg Attendance to Date: 2,045
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 757
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 757
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,880
• Promotions (if any): None

Dunedin Blue Jays:

• Team Home Game #: 9
• Attendance: 712
• Starting Pitcher: Ryan Borucki
• Opponent: Tampa Yankees
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Gabriel Encinas
• Avg Attendance to Date: 859
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 712
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 712
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 873
• Promotions (if any): None

University of South Florida Bulls:

• Team Home Game #: 26
• Attendance: 562
• Opponent: Florida International University
• Avg Attendance to Date: 706

No other local games scheduled.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 19, 2016

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Tuesday, April 19, 2016:

Total Attendance: 4,144

Clearwater Threshers:

• Team Home Game #: 6
• Attendance: 3,365
• Starting Pitcher: Tom Eschelman
• Opponent: Daytona Tortugas
• Opponent Starting Pitcher:Keury Mella
• Avg Attendance to Date: 2,995
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 3,365
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 3,644
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 2,571
• Promotions (if any): $1 Tuesday
• Other events: None

Tampa Yankees:

• Team Home Game #: 6
• Attendance: 779
• Starting Pitcher: Chance Adams
• Opponent: Dunedin Blue Jays
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Ryan Borucki
• Avg Attendance to Date: 1,233
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 779
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 799
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,570
• Promotions (if any): 2 for 1 Tuesday

University of South Florida Bulls:

• Team Home Game #: 25
• Attendance: 630
• Opponent: Bethune-Cookman
• Avg Attendance to Date: 712

No other local games scheduled.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 12, 2016

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Tuesday, April 12, 2016:

Total Attendance: 15,611

Tampa Bay Rays:

• Team Home Game #: 5
• Attendance: 10,283
• Starting Pitcher: Matt Moore
• Opponent: Cleveland Indians
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Corey Kluber
• Avg Attendance to Date:16,691
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 10,283
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 11,520
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 12,270
• Promotions (if any): $2 Kids Ticket Tuesday
• Other events: None

Clearwater Threshers:

• Team Home Game #: 3
• Attendance: 3,923
• Starting Pitcher: Will Morris
• Opponent: Charlotte Stone Crabs
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Brett Honeywell
• Avg Attendance to Date: 3,726
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 2,698
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 3,923
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 3,923
• Promotions (if any): $1 Tuesdays

Tampa Yankees:

• Team Home Game #: 3
• Attendance: 820
• Starting Pitcher: Vincente Campos
• Opponent: Bradenton Marauders
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Alex McRae
• Avg Attendance to Date: 1,158
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 805
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 820
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 820
• Promotions (if any): 2 for 1 Tuesday

University of South Florida Bulls:

• Team Home Game #: 24
• Attendance: 585
• Opponent: University of North Florida
• Avg Attendance to Date: 715

No other local games scheduled.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 10, 2016

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Sunday, April 10, 2016:

Total Attendance: 1,561

Bradenton Marauders:

• Team Home Game #: 2
• Attendance: 745
• Starting Pitcher: Yuedy Garcia
• Opponent: Fort Myers Miracle
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Keaton Steele
• Avg Attendance to Date: 3,334
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 3,334
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 745
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 745
• Promotions (if any): None
• Other events: Tampa Bay Blues Festival

Dunedin Blue Jays:

• Team Home Game #: 3
• Attendance: 816
• Starting Pitcher: Justin Shafer
• Opponent: Clearwater Threshers
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Elniery Garcia
• Avg Attendance to Date: 1,076
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,076
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 816
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 816
• Promotions (if any): None

University of South Florida Bulls

• Team Home Game #: 23
• Attendance: 548
• Opponent: Memphis
• Avg Attendance to Date: 721

No other local games scheduled.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 9, 2016

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Saturday, April 9, 2016:

Total Attendance: 6,957

Bradenton Marauders:

• Team Home Game #: 1
• Attendance: 5,923
• Starting Pitcher: Colten Brewer
• Opponent: Fort Myers Miracle
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Tyler Jay
• Avg Attendance to Date: 5,923
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 5,923
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 5,923
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 5,923
• Promotions (if any): Opening Day
• Other events: Tampa Bay Blues Festival

Dunedin Blue Jays:

• Team Home Game #: 2
• Attendance: 1,034
• Starting Pitcher: Ryan Borucki
• Opponent: Clearwater Threshers
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Rani Casimiro
• Avg Attendance to Date: 1,207
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,207
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,034
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,034
• Promotions (if any): Mascot Night

University of South Florida Bulls

• Team Home Game #: 22
• Attendance: 707
• Opponent: Memphis
• Avg Attendance to Date: 729

No other local games scheduled.

Tampa Bay Baseball Attendance Report - April 8, 2016

Tampa Bay baseball attendance for Friday, April 8, 2016:

Total Attendance: 7,647

Clearwater Threshers:

• Team Home Game #: 1
• Attendance: 5,783
• Starting Pitcher: Matt Imhof
• Opponent: Dunedin Blue Jays
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Tom Robson
• Avg Attendance to Date: 5,783
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 5,783
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 5,783
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 5,783
• Promotions (if any): Opening Day - Fireworks - Post Game Concert
• Other events: Tampa Bay Blues Festival

Tampa Yankees:

• Team Home Game #: 1
• Attendance: 1,864
• Starting Pitcher: Ian Clarkin
• Opponent: Lakeland Flying Tigers
• Opponent Starting Pitcher: Tyler Alexander
• Avg Attendance to Date: 1,864
• Avg Attendance vs Opponent: 1,864
• Avg Attendance per Day of the Week: 1,864
• Avg Attendance for Starting Pitcher: 1,864
• Promotions (if any): Opening Day

University of South Florida Bulls:

• Team Home Game #: 21
• Attendance: 573
• Opponent: Memphis
• Avg Attendance to Date: 730

No other local games scheduled.

USF baseball draws big crowd for game versus FSU

I don't look at college baseball that often on this site. The biggest problem with exploring the trends of college baseball is that most of the tickets are given to students for free. So what is the effect of an opponent, a promotion, or starting pitcher when the ticket is free?

Despite the lack of analysis, I do track the overall attendance of the University of South Florida. I think it is necessary when the Bulls draw only 50 people on average less than the Dunedin Blue Jays. People are making a baseball-related choice when they attend games at the USF Baseball Stadium.

Which brings us to last night. As they did in 2014, the Florida State Seminoles visited Tampa to play the USF Bulls. And again the Seminoles attracted a big crowd of visiting fans. In 2014, the FSU vs USF game set a new high attendance record of 3,615 fans. Last night, attendance was slightly lower, only 2,431 fans.

So far in 2016, the Bulls are drawing more fans than they did in 2016 through their first 11 games:

• 2015: 763
• 2016: 866

That's a good sign for the up and coming program.

USF games against the Seminoles or the Gators of the University of Florida are a good reminder that fans are rarely likely to put aside their original rooting interests just because they move to a new city. Fans who developed a fandom in Tallahassee or Gainesville are not going to start rooting for the Bulls just because they live in Tampa. This is important when Tampa area sports fans bemoan fans from out of town for rooting for their hometown baseball, hockey, or football teams.

Like the Rays, the Bulls have a very difficult climb in making Tampa a Bulls-centric city. With some many alumni from other Florida schools in Tampa, college loyalties will always be divided. But as USF grows in attendees and alumni, and as it grows in prestige and reputation, perhaps it will become more ingrained in the rooting fabric of the city. Maybe then we will see folks in Tampa wearing green and gold who did not attend USF. That would be a welcome shift from the current phenomenon of folks who attend USF wearing another university's colors.

Much has been written about the USF Sports Marketing Department. Winning the hearts and minds of Tampa might be the department's biggest challenge.