Braves attendance is up. Why is that, you think?
The Braves have only played 12 games at home this season – entering a seven-game home stand that opens on Friday at Turner Field. But so far the returns in attendance are up.
The Braves’ average home attendance has increased by 20 percent from about this time last year, according to figures in a recent Wall Street Journal article. The Braves’ increase is second only to Minnesota for the biggest increase in Major League Baseball through games of May 8. And the Twins, whose attendance is up 57 percent, are playing in a new ballpark, Target Field.
The Braves have drawn 347,995, or an average of 29,000 through their first 12 games this year. They averaged 24,193 through their first 14 games through May 8 last year.
Here’s a look at the top increases:
Minnesota 57 percent
Atlanta 20 percent
Baltimore 16 percent
Texas 16 percent
Pittsburgh 9 percent
Colorado 8 percent
San Francisco 7 percent
Here are the top decreases:
Cleveland 29 percent
Toronto 24 percent
NY Mets 17 percent
San Diego 15 percent
Florida 15 percent
White Sox 14 percent
Oakland 13 percent
So what do you think it’s about? Is Jason Heyward having that big an impact? Or is it because this is manager Bobby Cox’s last season? Or is it because of good weather or that three-game series against the Cubs to open the season?
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239 comments Add your comment
Angus
May 13th, 2010
12:46 pm
I’d say J-Hey and BC’s farewell have helped.
I’d also say that there was a good deal of optimism for this season, because of 2nd half last year.
It’s funny though that I’ve been to only weekday games this year and keep thinking, “dang, there’s hardly anyone here.”
zeeee Nachos
May 13th, 2010
12:51 pm
Bleeeeeeeeeeh!
I hate Chipper Jones
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
May 13th, 2010
12:51 pm
Ditto to Angus- the Young Phenom and the Aging Future HOF- plus the fans were sold on a “solid team” this year. I do feel a little more optimistic after the Brewers series but i still need more results to buy what they’re selling.
HTF
May 13th, 2010
12:51 pm
Jason. Heyward.
simplejimmy
May 13th, 2010
12:52 pm
maybe because it was so damn low last year that 20% up isn’t that big of a deal…..
Braves73
May 13th, 2010
12:54 pm
Two words…Jason Heyward!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bob
May 13th, 2010
12:57 pm
Heyward Heyward Heyward Heyward Heyward.
Matthew
May 13th, 2010
1:00 pm
Can’t explain it. WHo would want to fight the nation’s worst traffic, pay the exhorbitant prices to watch such frustrating baseball??? Hell the best player on the team is a 20 yr old rookie!!!!!
shawn
May 13th, 2010
1:00 pm
Jason Heyward brother…and It is certainly not Bobby Cox..
SP
May 13th, 2010
1:03 pm
Half of it is Heyward and half of it is the opener vs. Cubs with maybe a little good weather and Bobby’s last season sprinkled in.
If you take out that record-setting opener our avg. attendance would only be up 9.6% over last year.
n
May 13th, 2010
1:03 pm
This is a baseball town and region. And 20% increase is not small.
n
May 13th, 2010
1:03 pm
meanwhile teams that used to sell out game after game such as Baltimore, Cleveland, Toronto struggle to put 11,000 fans in the seats.
wheelz007
May 13th, 2010
1:04 pm
1.) Jason Heyward
2.) Bobby’s last year
3.) Fans think team have a chance this year
Tami
May 13th, 2010
1:04 pm
I’d say Jason is first & foremost the reason. Although I haven’t yet gotten down to the ballpark this season, it’s one of my main reasons to go see a game — maybe even this homestand. I think all the other reasons probably factor in as well. I’m glad to hear that attendance is up. Now if the DOT will just hurry up & complete all their connector projects so we don’t have to deal with the horrific traffic accompanying it, then maybe attendance will increase even more!
Fresh
May 13th, 2010
1:05 pm
The Braves currently have the Lebron James of baseball in Jason Heyward, this increase is solely because of him and nothing else. If anyone thinks different, they’re retarded or refuse to grasp reality.
Brava
May 13th, 2010
1:05 pm
I agree with Angus. A combination of optimism from last year’s near WC bid, Jason Heyward and Bobby’s final year.
KPH
May 13th, 2010
1:05 pm
Cox and Heyward.
Dan
May 13th, 2010
1:06 pm
Y’know, upper deck seats are really pretty cheap, and you can move around the upper deck almost at will.
The worst part is the traffic/parking.
By the way, I agree with the obvious answers: J.H. and initial optimism. I don’t think it’s Bobby.
Sandy
May 13th, 2010
1:08 pm
I dont go unless theres a reason. The reason for me this year is Jayson Heyward and Tommy Hanson. I want to see these kids play. As for the rest of the team, I think Chipper is way over matched these last two years and the utility player turned starters is really getting old.
This year I have watched as this team is being beat by number 4-5 pitchers who have era’s of like 15. This team in a whole is not pulling in fans but Heyward and Hanson are. I would like to know whos pitching on the nights that attendence is up. My guess it is Hanson.
GEORGIA97
May 13th, 2010
1:09 pm
Personally, I think it’s either a) the joy of sitting in traffic for an hour to get to the stadium and pay for overpriced parking; or b) the unparalleled adventure of taking MARTA to Five Points and running the gauntlet through Underground without getting stabbed or pick pocketed. The experience is only topped by a trip to Wally World to see Marty Moose.
Fresh
May 13th, 2010
1:09 pm
n,
Contrary to popular belief. This is a really good town for all sporting events (football, baseball, basketball, and maybe hocky). Give the people a quality product and they will show up to see it. It’s that simple.
Brava
May 13th, 2010
1:09 pm
Well, Fresh, then I’m retarded and refuse to grasp reality because I attended the season opener and have tickets to five more games already and although, I love watching young Jason play, I’m also there because I believe we will play in the post-season and want to support Bobby in his final year as manager.
Wendy
May 13th, 2010
1:12 pm
A nice combination of Jason Heyward, Tommy Hanson, Bobby Cox and the hunger to get back to October.
Tuba Man
May 13th, 2010
1:12 pm
Jason Heyward and I have to say that the ticket prices in Atlanta are one of the cheapest tickets in MLB. So ticket prices aren’t the reason people aren’t going to the games traffic maybe. But you can tickets for a dollar.
gayle
May 13th, 2010
1:14 pm
Six Flags is closed?
Clay
May 13th, 2010
1:14 pm
I think it’s because going to Turner Field is a good activity. I also think Heyward is having an impact. We’ll be there Saturday and June 1, so we’re doing our part.
t
May 13th, 2010
1:14 pm
you are right on sandy. i try really hard to make sure that either hudson or hanson are pitching when i plan to go to a game.
Steve From Dalton
May 13th, 2010
1:15 pm
It’s kind of like an old western, The young gunslinger (Heyward) and the old veteran Sheriff (cox). One is riding into the sunrise and the other into the sunset. One is the future and the other is the past.
ExecutiveStinger
May 13th, 2010
1:15 pm
I agree Fresh, give Atlanta fans something of quality and they will come out. It if ain’t quality, however, don’t count on ‘em. We’re hardcore only about college football, as in we’ll be there whether the team is good or not. Not so with pro sports.
The Braves numbers are up for every reason you mentioned Carroll. Fans want to see J-Hey, they realize this is their last chance to see Bobby manage and possibly get ejected, the weather has been good, the economy is slowly getting better, and I tip my hat to the Braves’ marketing dept. for a job well done this season. Continued winning never hurts either.
stoned Mountain
May 13th, 2010
1:18 pm
Jason Heyward
His hitting, decision making, base running, style, exuberant personality.
James
May 13th, 2010
1:18 pm
Matthew, you can go to a Braves game for $5 and ATL traffic isn’t even top 5 in the nation when dealing with congestion.
jz23
May 13th, 2010
1:19 pm
Chicks dig the 1-2-3 inning.
Wendy
May 13th, 2010
1:20 pm
Prices. b!tch b!tch b!tch.. it’s a Major League Ball Club.. what do you expect? If you’re that concerned run your lazy arses through the drive through and hit up the dollar menu. Traffic.. wah wah wah. Any ball club that is worth a darn is going to have to deal with traffic. If you know your way around Atlanta then the traffic thing is pointless. The last time I dealt with game traffic was Greg Maddux’ HOF induction which was expected. So to the cry babies: Quit cryin. If it’s that big of a problem for head and your pocketbook.. stay at home and watch the game on horrid peachtree tv.
18 Wheels of Love
May 13th, 2010
1:21 pm
It’s the tapioca rice rolls
kurula
May 13th, 2010
1:22 pm
i say it’s the first series of the year. they really benefited from playing the cubs on opening weekend. the subsequent games have been very lackluster in attendance.
bboyd3301
May 13th, 2010
1:24 pm
at this point, i don’t think it is bobby. i think during the second half is when people really will start coming out for bobby. right now i think most of the people are coming out for jason heyward and tommy hansen. when i looked at the probables for this weekend, i saw kawakami pitching friday night and eliminated that one right off the rip. opted for saturday when hansen was pitching!!
Cadbury Turnbuckle
May 13th, 2010
1:26 pm
Why question it in a negative way? Just be happy that attendance is up. Maybe a lot of people go for the fun of it and to support their team – I used to go back in the ’80’s, pay $3 for a ticket, and join about 2000 other people there on a weeknight. After the 3rd inning they encouraged everybody to fill in the seats behind home plate (no matter how much you paid for a ticket) so that it would look good when the TBS cameras panned the seats behind the batter (they never showed the empty upper level). The TV audience thought it was a packed house for every game! Smart, Ted, very smart.
SPX
May 13th, 2010
1:27 pm
J-HEY!
Joshua Barlowe
May 13th, 2010
1:28 pm
Jason Heyward. What’s sad is that the Braves screwed the pooch when they built their stadium in south Atlanta. If Turner Field was on the Northeast side of town they would be sold out nearly all the time.
Bob
May 13th, 2010
1:29 pm
Heyward. Heyward. Heyward. Heyward.
Ron
May 13th, 2010
1:31 pm
Pretty simple people. Most home games have been on the weekends and the Cubs series helped a lot. Had they been at home on weeknights for most of these 12 games it would be much lower. Heyward and Bobby have nothing to do with it. The real test will start this weekend now that colleges are out and all school will be out soon
Knuckle Sandwich
May 13th, 2010
1:32 pm
H-E-Y-W-A-R-D
Terry Forster
May 13th, 2010
1:32 pm
The Nachos, the Hot Dogs, the Pizzas, the Chicken Fingers, the Chicken Wings, the Cotton Candy, the Barbecue, the Popcorn, the Frozen Yogurt, and that Tomahawk Ale out in right field.
stoned Mountain
May 13th, 2010
1:32 pm
Joshua, you can see the Gwinnett Braves!
Ron
May 13th, 2010
1:32 pm
Joshua Baelowe, I agree 100%. Almost everyone who goes to Braves games who are from here live on the northside of town. Their average would be closer to 35,000 a game if it were not in the ghetto. Almost every stadium I have been to is in a nice area, has a lot to do around the stadium, has normal employees working there, etc. Too bad we can’t have that here.
rebeldawg
May 13th, 2010
1:32 pm
Watching people make whoopie in the bed of a truck in the blue lot is the reason I go.
CJ
May 13th, 2010
1:32 pm
This year we’ve played Cubs, Rockies, Phillies and Astros. Last year it was Nats, Marlins, Cards, Astros. Much bigger pull from the teams we’re playing against. Typical Atlanta sports crowd.
Terry Forster
May 13th, 2010
1:34 pm
What….Somebody just told me there is a Buffet in the SunTrust level?!?!?!?
atlanta cub
May 13th, 2010
1:34 pm
The Cubs opened the season here so you were guaranteed not only a huge opening day crowd but large crowds for games 2 and 3 as well
stoned Mountain
May 13th, 2010
1:36 pm
Ron, the Gwinnett Braves have seats available. And racists are more than welcome.
Stone
May 13th, 2010
1:36 pm
they’ve barely played at home and opened w/ the Cubs.
that’s the reason
California fans are terrible
May 13th, 2010
1:40 pm
The Padres have gone down in attendance by 15% percent with one of the best records in baseball? What’s it going to take to please those hippies!? Send that franchise to Birmingham, Alabama – they deserve a ball club. Call them the Birmingham Saban worshippers.
PJ
May 13th, 2010
1:41 pm
We’ll see what the attendance is like after this homestand including one weekday day game.
Mitchell
May 13th, 2010
1:42 pm
Jason Heyward.
Bob Horner's Blonde Mullet
May 13th, 2010
1:43 pm
They’re coming out to see if Kawakami can go defeated this year.
Jeff
May 13th, 2010
1:46 pm
Liberty Media is loving this. More fans show up to watch this crappy team. They get increase revenues while keeping costs down. Zero chance the owners will make any changes as long as people keep going to games. If Braves fans want a better team they need to stop going to the ballpark, stop buying jerseys, and stop watching the Braves on tv.
Mitchell
May 13th, 2010
1:47 pm
Turner Field is not in the ghetto. It’s ghetto adjacent.
It really is in a bad location though. There’s nothing down there. There’s no reason to be there other than to go to the game. There are no restaurants or bars or anything. It’s nowhere. It’s like a ghost town.
It’s also a huge stadium. You can have a decent crowd and it might still look small. I never really noticed until recently just how big it is. It’s hard to fill that place.
Bad location. Big stadium. Average team.
John65
May 13th, 2010
1:48 pm
It must be because people are finally beginning to forget about the players strike. Or, perhaps its the younger generation that doesn’t remember the players strike. Goodness, let’s cut teacher salaries some more and increase the sports entertainers take. Who is worth more to society, a baseball player or a high school teacher? Which do you need for your child?
Pachoo
May 13th, 2010
1:49 pm
It helps that our first 3 games were versus the Cubs, which always sell out.
sugarfoot
May 13th, 2010
1:50 pm
The weather has been better.
Jerry Willard
May 13th, 2010
1:51 pm
It will be interstig to see the attendance numbers of the new Marlins Stadium once the newnwss wears off. It is being built on the old Orange Bowl site. Fans from the north (Broward, Palm Beach County) will not want to drive into that area.
Jerry Willard
May 13th, 2010
1:51 pm
interesting
Jamie Moyer
May 13th, 2010
1:54 pm
good, now lets spend some cash get a big bopper by july 1st
David
May 13th, 2010
1:54 pm
Its J-hey and the weather…last year..It seemed every time i went to a friday night game it rained by the 4th inning…it was nuts…i was glad that it didnt rain on the friday game against the astros finally…we got some good heckling on pence that night had sign and everything for him…shout out to all the 135 people getting rowdy!
NikkiFree
May 13th, 2010
1:56 pm
It’s Jason Heyward. Make no mistake abt that.
Hoosier Aaron
May 13th, 2010
1:58 pm
It’s Heyward. I think Heyward will more than make up for the extra money it will eventually cost the Braves by not making him get “Triple A experience”.
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say the Nationals attendance will go up when Strasburg learns to “slow down his delivery from the stretch”. People laugh but honestly, the first time I saw him pitch I thought that exact thing….”If this kid would just slow down his delivery from the stretch he would start making hitters look absolutely foolish instead of completely foolish”.
smitty
May 13th, 2010
2:03 pm
I think it is mostly due to Jason Heyward, then partly Bobby Cox and lastly even though they’ve got a terrible road record they’re playing well at home (8-4).
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
May 13th, 2010
2:04 pm
It’s all about Heyward at this point. Bobby is well loved, but I don’t believe people will come just for Bobby till the end of the year.
william
May 13th, 2010
2:04 pm
Ask me again when the Braves are not a bunch of semi-professional players by an ancient coach. Bobby Cox is ten years too late for retirement.
C from Marietta
May 13th, 2010
2:05 pm
Hey Jeff,
Be the typical fair weathered Atlanta fan. I for one have fun at The Ted win or lose. No wonder everyone thinks Atlanta is a crappy sports town. Because it is a crappy sports town. Thanks to people like you.
AppalachiaBrave
May 13th, 2010
2:06 pm
Who knows why? There is alot of crazy stuff going on in the world…But I do know this, going to a Braves game is not worth the money you have to pay for tickets, food, parking….etc…..I’ll just catch the highlights on ESPN! FO SHO! Ballplayers making 20 million a year…Now that is a joke….FO SHO!
GTFan1
May 13th, 2010
2:06 pm
I’d say the Cubs series helped. I for one was embarrassed at the turnout in Phillies
Pete*
May 13th, 2010
2:07 pm
Congrats STONED; took you less than 1 hour to play the race card. Sweet.
Loyal Homer
May 13th, 2010
2:08 pm
Was I offbase with my debate then?
http://thesportsdebates.com/2010/05/12/the-mlb-team-relocation-debate%E2%80%A6-don%E2%80%99t-take-the-braves-for-granted/
kevin
May 13th, 2010
2:10 pm
First of all the cubs series kinda doctored the attendance increase for us. Second notice how many seats are empty in right field behind heyward . I tried to get seats in right field a few times this season and none were available. Also from one persons comment i was reading i agree completely. I think the stadium is too big for us. We need a place that holds 40K or a little more and it would look alot fuller.
Leo Blows
May 13th, 2010
2:10 pm
Charlie Leibrandt.
Pete*
May 13th, 2010
2:10 pm
Mitchell agree; first thing that comes to mind after the game is getting the heck outta there. Meanwhile Cubs, weather and JH have really helped so far, but 12 games is a mighty small sample.
Manny
May 13th, 2010
2:11 pm
Heyward, plus of the 12 games only the Cubs (opening series) and the Phillies have been weekday games. Weekday games in April and May have always been dismal attendance.
Mike
May 13th, 2010
2:11 pm
Maybe it’s the great “Traffic & Parking Plan”.
Nah. Never mind.
Jaba
May 13th, 2010
2:12 pm
It’d be nice if you would use statistics that are comparable. 12 game avg this year versus the first 14 games last year? Why not use the first 12 games of last year? Skewing statistics is an insult to our intelligence. 2009’s Games 13/14 were Mon/Tues games versus the Mets. Monday attendance (Game 13)- 19,204 … Tuesday Attendance (Game 14) – 21,072. The 2009 12 game average was 24,877. The 2009 14 game average was 24,193. That’s a difference of 684 people. Accuracy is usually important to journalists … but I’ve never considered you one. More of a gossip columnist. Why didn’t you use games 15 and 16 from 2009? That’s because the weekend attendance for those games against the Diamondbacks was 32,593 and 30,162. That would not have helped your argument at all. But games 13 and 14 sure did help your argument. How convenient! The attendance is still higher this year through 12 games … report that. Don’t feed me crap though … you don’t know any different though. Funniest part of this is that I did more research in 15 minutes than you did the entire time you wrote the article … and it’s YOUR JOB!!!
hello
May 13th, 2010
2:13 pm
could be a sign of the economy. What are our number in relation to years that were not impacted by an economic down turn? say like 2005-2006? Economy and fact that ticket prices didn’t go up for a change?
David Justice
May 13th, 2010
2:15 pm
There are a lot of you showing up at these games, but you aren’t loud enough!! I want to hear some noise…
Hinske Da Man
May 13th, 2010
2:16 pm
It is J-Hey hands down. I think fans are ready to see Cox leave so its not Bobby Cox.
Hinske Da Man
May 13th, 2010
2:17 pm
Surprised that there is a increase in attendance as well seeing as though the Braves have underachieved thus far making fans unhappy.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
May 13th, 2010
2:18 pm
There may be some folks (including the critically ill) who’ll drag themselves to games just to avoid Chip Caray’s overactive larynx.
Easy Jaba
May 13th, 2010
2:19 pm
This is in reference to a WSJ article. Don’t shoot the messenger
Pete*
May 13th, 2010
2:20 pm
Jaba: “It’d be nice if you would use statistics that are comparable. 12 game avg this year versus the first 14 games last year? Why not use the first 12 games of last year?”
Well said Jaba; was getting ready to post the same question. So DOB, why 12 vs. 14 last year? Even though youre using per game averages, it still doesnt make sense because small sample sizes can greatly skew the averages.
Sarah
May 13th, 2010
2:20 pm
Why is attendance up in 2010 at Turner Field?
As a long-time Braves Season Ticket Holder who goes to every game, I can tell you why from first-hand experience and observation.
A certain demographic that has not been coming to the ballpark in very large numbers at all over the past decade is now coming out of the woodwork in DROVES due to a certain rookie outfielder.
Can you guess why?
Goonies 2 Dang It!
May 13th, 2010
2:23 pm
The summer movie season hasn’t gotten into full swing yet
JTH
May 13th, 2010
2:23 pm
They’re drunk.
Thurston Howell, the Third
May 13th, 2010
2:24 pm
Lovey and I have been going to more games since out investments are once again showing a great return – we were able to re-hire the chauffeur and take the Bentley out of the garage once again. After he drops us off at the door, he keeps the car idling during the game so it is nice and comfortable for the drive home. Last week, we had so much fun “tailgating” as you call it, popping some Cristal in the green lot and eating some beluga caviar with it. Most exemplary!
Pete*
May 13th, 2010
2:24 pm
EASY, doesnt matter the source; its pretty easy (no pun intended) to compare 12 games vs. 12 games to make things more accurate. Instead of a 20% increase, it would be 16.6 if you do 12 vs. 12 games. Still a nice increase, but its not 20%
Melky sucks
May 13th, 2010
2:24 pm
30k a game? no wonder the owners dont want to spend money. Phillies, Yankees, etc are almost filled to capacity. Traffic is not an excuse take MARTA. If we attended games maybe the Owners will spend money. I have already been to 4 games this season.
third strike
May 13th, 2010
2:24 pm
2 words…. Jason Heyward
Feeanch
May 13th, 2010
2:30 pm
J-A-S-O-N H-E-Y-W-A-R-D. Only game I’ve been to was opening day. I decided to go last minute and paid $100 to sit in Golden Moon Casino Suite (also included $30 F&B credit, not a bad deal).
And the ONLY reason I did so was to see J-Hey crank his first ML AB over the wall. Heyward is the reason, pure and simple.
Anyone going because they want to see Bobby in his last year is a moron. Besides, there’s a STRONG possibility he’s gonna get thrown out of the game. He’s been known to incite a few of those through the years…
Jay H.
May 13th, 2010
2:31 pm
Reason #10 Braves’ attendance is up: Stick it, A-Rod!
RK
May 13th, 2010
2:31 pm
Weather.
Fletch
May 13th, 2010
2:32 pm
Considering that there were games last year when only 1000 “fans” showed up, anything above that is good news. The real question should be, why is this “sport” still around? Watching over-weight guys who pull a hamstring everytime they run past firs isn’t entertaining, it’s pathetic. The game is way to long, no passion (unless its the playoffs, if your team makes it), too many games…way too many games, it’s slow, most teams are elimated from the playoffs by the all-star break…shoot Baltimore is already elimated and it’s only the second month of the season, over-paid for what they do, it’s the only “sport” in the world where you do not have to be an athlete or be physically fit (being a big guy who has big muscles isn’t considered physically fit), cheating isn’t a big deal since everyone is doing it, sleeping during the game is just sad KEN GRIFFREY! The majority of the games don’t even matter where as other sports each game is very significant to how your season will end and how your team will be for the next season. All these reasons are why it’s basically only played in the USA. If they took alcohol out of the stadiums there wouldn’t be any fans.
Mike
May 13th, 2010
2:33 pm
Jaba, the article said through May 8th. So we had 14 home games then and 12 now. Guess what even if you include that, it is a 17% increase which would still place us 2nd. Watch as that numbers goes up with Jason Heyward being back tomorrow. This is #1 a result of all the hype surrounding Heyward. Then I think it is a mix of last years success and Bobby Cox’s last year. Heyward Braves merchandise in the 1st week or so matched that of Jeff Francoeur as well.
Imthereason
May 13th, 2010
2:33 pm
JASON HEYWARD no discussion is necessary. Everyone wants to get a glimpse of him crushing the ball. He’s the biggest thing since Mike Vick
Jonas
May 13th, 2010
2:34 pm
I think is the combinantion of ticket Pkg, and J-Hey.
That's It, I'm Gone
May 13th, 2010
2:36 pm
Everyone was commenting well and then someone had to mention “Mike Vick”. Loser.
Rose
May 13th, 2010
2:37 pm
Who’s Pkg?
Frank
May 13th, 2010
2:37 pm
Chipper needs to stay on the bench and nap, like Jr.
McCann Fan
May 13th, 2010
2:39 pm
Two words: Hey ward!!!!!!!!!!
Easy Pete*
May 13th, 2010
2:41 pm
My point was (and is) that the AJC writers are merely filling us all in on a different study. There is no reason for people to get upset over the statistics when they did not come up with them. See for yourself
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703674704575234481316218628.html?KEYWORDS=baseball+attendance
the cox man
May 13th, 2010
2:48 pm
Ship KK back to Japan and bring up Mike Minor that would add another 5000 per game.
zeeeee Nachos
May 13th, 2010
2:48 pm
FREE BEER
Eraserhead
May 13th, 2010
2:50 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_League_Baseball_stadiums
Turner Field ranks 4th in MLB for capacity.
Nacho Daddy
May 13th, 2010
2:52 pm
Chipper must stay on the bench, or bat 8th.
Ron Roberts
May 13th, 2010
2:52 pm
Have any of you ever read “Why Turner Field Sucks” at this address?
http://deadspin.com/5367421/why-your-stadium-sucks-turner-field
My favorite part: ” Turner Field is, in many ways, the perfect monument to the era of bland professionalism that John Schuerholz helped shape. There is absolutely nothing unique or memorable about Turner Field: no insincere tributes to long-demolished ballparks, no crazily contrived dimensions, no pointless architectural flourishes. It is perfectly serviceable and completely soulless.”
This, to me, is SPOT ON thinking. Fans only come to the ballpark for players or a solid team (and even then, they’re not going to sellout a playoff game unless it’s the World Series, it would seem).
Turner Field has over 50,000 seats. Check around the newer ballparks built since Camden Yards; outside of Coors Field and Yankee Stadium 2.0, they’re all built under 50,000 seats, and the better of them – PNC Park, AT&T Park, Target Field, are under 45,000 seats.
I think Turner Field could stand a trimming down. It did wonders for the atmosphere at US Cellular Field, which, like Turner, was a very bland “new” ballpark. I’d start with getting rid of all the seating and 755 Club ABOVE the left field lower level section. Let’s see the downtown skyline, already.
From there, I think the upper deck behind right field is almost always empty; raze it. Want a unique dimension to the playing field? Turn the right field lower level more inwards, maybe at a right angle to the foul line, jutting out into the field a bit, creating an angle back out to the right center field fence.
And for crying out loud, get rid of all that Cartoon Network schlock out in the plaza. If you HAVE to have it, can we keep all the loud, cartoony logos and cartoons out of sight from the stadium bowl?
Finally, the outfield wall decor sucks. “This is Braves Country” – in about as plain a font as they could find, apparently – replaced the cool homages to past Braves’ greats. Why? My suspicion is because they sold some of that wall space and couldn’t re-arrange them, so screw Eddie Matthews, Phil Neikro, Dale Murphy and Hank Aarton; gotta make room for “State Farm.”
I like the brick and rock wall features at PNC, Coors Field, and Nationals Park, too. Where’s some of that famous Georgia clay brick?
I realize Camden Yards has long outworn its niche as a classic-looking ballpark, when it comes to attendance. Hey, the Orioles have sucked for a LONG time, but it still draws people who want to see it first-hand; I think Turner Field needs some enhancements to do the same.
Gerald Perry
May 13th, 2010
2:53 pm
More Weekend series have been played this year than last
Linda
May 13th, 2010
2:56 pm
In a word …. Heyward!
Nacho Daddy
May 13th, 2010
2:59 pm
Ron Roberts …go to the park & talk to the pigons !
David
May 13th, 2010
3:00 pm
wow Ron, cry some more about the stadium…I like turner field really…maybe we dont need a 50K stadium but other than that its aesthically nice…we have the cartoon network b/c ummmmmm yeah do i even have to explain to you…and its not that overwelming..its for the kids..you remember being a kid right?…
PMC
May 13th, 2010
3:02 pm
People in this town are starved for stardom. They desperately want a superstar. Currently Jason Heyward has the ability to be that superstar.
The stadium itself is freaking huge so they are bringing in pretty good numbers even if it doesn’t look full. 56K+ for baseball is gigantic. you get 82 chances a year to see a game, so there’s no real urgency but it’s a really fun experience it’s great on a nice day.
A superstar though in a town desperate for superstars is solid gold to any Atlanta franchise.
ArtyDodger
May 13th, 2010
3:02 pm
So the Braves are packing ‘em in a! Everybody enjoys a good joke…go Braves.
Chief pitchanono
May 13th, 2010
3:03 pm
Good finish to last season, plus good expectations and a solid spring training – plus one word HEYWARD! – this means more people are interested. We haven’t had a good baseball season around here in a few years. Thats a long time for the Braves- if they were to have a good season and make the playoffs we could see something similar to 1991. We know the fans are here and their’s probably more of them now- due to the southern migration since the mid 90’s so attendance could go crazy if they end up having a good year. Alot of people were not here for the miracle years, and allota others were kids who are now old enough to buy their own tickets, so there may be a whole new fanbase out their that the Ted has never seen. But the only way to get them interested is to start winning some games.
DawgDad
May 13th, 2010
3:03 pm
Heyward. Does anyone REALLY go to the ballpark to watch the manager?
Here’s a simple reality: At this point Heyward is earning Chipper’s salary and Chipper is earning Heyward’s, both in terms of performance and marketing appeal.
DJ
May 13th, 2010
3:04 pm
Unemployment rates…people have no jobs, therefore more time to go to braves game.
chuck
May 13th, 2010
3:04 pm
I don’t live in ATL. I live in DC. So please understand that I KNOW traffic.
I was looking over the attendance #s. Mid-week is never going to be a winner for these guys until local authorities can figure out a way to ease the traffic problems into and out of the stadium.
I have been to both Saturday night games and getaway day games at the Ted, and it’s never easy. Almost as painful as getting in and out of FedEx Field in Landover.
There’s a reason why a critical series v the Phils only draws about 60K fans total in mid-week and a 3 game tilt against the ‘Stros on the weekend can garner close to 84K fans.
You can’t tell me ATL doesn’t have a lot of people in town for work that go home on weekends. And they are all replaced by the suburbanites who won’t dare try to enter the city on a weeknight, or stick around long enough to watch the game. When I traveled for business, I went to a game a week on average. Good place to drink, possibly take a girl on the project as an informal type of date.
It’s inexplicable except for that GA DOT or city officials aren’t doing their fair share to make the experience more accessible and seamless.
Not Complaining
May 13th, 2010
3:10 pm
To answer the question: It’s J-Hey to me. Dude’s fun to watch on TV and in person.
To answer the idiots who live in Alpharetta, TN: Please read this and never comment about moving an ATLANTA pro sports team to Canton or Cumming ever again. Get a map and you’ll see that both the Georgia Dome and the Ted are almost dead center in the middle of the Atlanta metro area. This allows fans from Villa Rica, Conyers, Mcdonough, and yes, Alpharetta to drive about the same distance to the city center to watch the game. It’s fair. I live in Decatur and only have to drive about 10-15 mins through little to no traffic to get to the stadium. Parking and ticket prices are cheap. I usually pay $8 to get in the door and $5 to park. It’s great, but I pay more for less house to have this luxury (which also includes not having to chose between Chili’s, Applebee’s, or Olive Garden when I want to go out to eat). You made the choice to live in a nice, big house in a brand new neighborhood with the trade-off being that you have a pretty good haul to make it to the cultural center of the city. If the Braves moved to the outer northern suburbs of the metro I would probably never go because traffic is often actually worse on that side of town. I can guess our brethren from McDonough and Newnan would have even less incentive. As far as the stadium neighborhood goes, yeah, it sucks. But there’s only like 5 sports stadiums in great neighborhoods, so that’s a pipe dream. Ever been to Camden Yards? Bad neighborhood. Suburban Foxborough for a Pats game? Traffic snarled, masshole hell. In summation: Live with it, enjoy the games you come to, and don’t stress so much when you’re going home after another Braves victory.
Nacho Daddy
May 13th, 2010
3:10 pm
Area in front of the score board needs to be like the Chop House !
Ron Roberts
May 13th, 2010
3:13 pm
Hey David…
Yeah, I remember being a kid; I went b/c I wanted to see Dale Murphy and Bob Horner hit HRs and for Phil Neikro and Steve Bedrosian strike out batters. I don’t think my childhood lacked b/c Fulton County Stadium lacked an inflatable bouncy-jumper and cartoon characters taking pictures with me.
We’ll agree to disagree about aesthetics. I mean, if inundations of corporate logos and billboards are aesthetically pleasing to you, so be it. When you think of AT&T Park, you think of the massive glove in left field and McCovey Cove behind right field. PNC Park conjures up the pedestrian bridge across the river and the river itself, behind right field. Turner Field makes you think of an exploding Coca-Cola bottle and a Chik Fil-A cow. Wow.
Joe Cool
May 13th, 2010
3:15 pm
Heyward
Michael79
May 13th, 2010
3:16 pm
Aren’t they running big time tix deals already?
Ron Roberts, It was a Olympic Stadium converted to a ballpark to save $$$$$. What you you want, utopia?
Nacho Daddy
May 13th, 2010
3:17 pm
I love the cow
PMC
May 13th, 2010
3:20 pm
The fact that most of the fan base doesn’t live near the stadiums and they actually displaced neighborhoods to put them where they did has an impact. If there was an area around the staduim that was fun to hang out in all day that would make a difference. Seriously, any baseball fan should be jealous of the area around Petco Park in San Diego. The fact that you can literally walk out of your hotel and walk into the park is awesome. I’m insanely jealous.
Also, it would be pretty freaking nice if Marta had a train stop at Turner Field… but we don’t really want to be a world class city or anything…..Atlanta is the commuter college of large cities…. and the Braves are sort of the marketing equivalent of pablum without a star like Heyward.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
May 13th, 2010
3:21 pm
Attended a game in the early 80s with a couple other drunks and our girlfriends. Created banner out of white King-Sized bed sheet. The large inscription across the top read, “SKIP CARAY’S ILLEGITIMATE TRIPLETS.” Across the bottom, in smaller font, was, “DEAR DAD, SEND MONEY ASAP!”
Pascual Perez was pitching. It was raining kitties and pooches. We (the guys) were all shirtless (the gals managed to stay fully clothed somehow) and grown-out like neanderthal hippies. We grabbed our rolled-up, sopping-wet, bundle of joy, and headed down to the upper deck rail. We COULDN’T WAIT for Skip to see this thing. We didn’t figure he would mention it on-air, but we took note of the exact time during the game, so we could check for chuckles later on VCR. Anyway, we gleefully unfurled the greatest looking modern-art piece of all-time. Not a recognizable word in the bunch. Rain, and whatever we used for paint, mixed beautifully.
Pascual Perez was perfect through three before umps called it due to rain.
southern hope
May 13th, 2010
3:21 pm
Ron Roberts, good note.
All, I attend the games with my kids…they’re very affordable and really fun. I live near downtown so traffic not an issue.
Michael79
May 13th, 2010
3:23 pm
PMC, they have been talking about a Marta stop at Tuner for years…you and I both know it will never happen. It makes too much sense.
CATlanta
May 13th, 2010
3:24 pm
I think a lot of you are forgetting why the Ted was built in the first place. 1996 Olympics…that’s why it’s so big. After the Olympics it was converted to a ballpark. Also, when it was built, the Braves were in the thick of their mid 90’s run.
simplejimmy
May 13th, 2010
3:25 pm
sorry but in a metro area of over 5 million an extra 5,000 people at a game isn’t squat. And no 20% is not much of an increase when the starting number is less than a high school football game in Valdosta. I am here and if you walk up that makes a 100% increase in people. Woo hoo
Nacho Daddy
May 13th, 2010
3:27 pm
Ron, AT & T Park you think massive glove ? I think massive syringe ..go barry!
Michael79
May 13th, 2010
3:27 pm
Hell, they ran a train under the Omni a hundred years ago!!?? What gives?
DawgDad
May 13th, 2010
3:29 pm
I second Chuck’s comments on traffic. Went to the Halladay-Hudson game and of course they had three lanes blocked on the connector going home due to construction. Traffic is the SINGLE most impediment to me attending more games. I come from St. Louis originally where I could get out of my stadium seat after the game ended, into my car, and onto the Interstate with a clear sail home within 10 minutes. Here, I’m lucky to be on the Interstate with a clear path home within an hour.
NYC_Brave
May 13th, 2010
3:29 pm
Woo Hoo!! Nice job Braves fans! Wish I could join y’all at Turner!
Ron Roberts
May 13th, 2010
3:32 pm
Not only to I remember the stadium was converted, I attended the Opening Ceremonies of said Olympics in said ballpark. The ENTIRE left field section was added on, after the Olympics, as was the ‘Chop House” and all the “Tooner Field” crap.
I was also there for the pennant runs of the mid-to-late 90s, too, and I also remember the AFCS sellouts – around 50,000 per game when they happened; but the Braves never sold out a season, so making the newer ballpark seat as many as its predecessors (rare) “peak” nights, to me, didn’t make much sense.
Limit supply, create greater demand. A more intimate (and interesting) ballpark would make for a better game-day experience, I think.
Pete*
May 13th, 2010
3:34 pm
Easy thanks I understand that my point still is that when you have a real small sample size of 12 games, another 2 (which means 17% more games played in 2009 than this year) skews the data.
Pete*
May 13th, 2010
3:36 pm
Meant to add and since the data is skewed, thats one of the reasons (along with JH, Cubs, weather, etc.) for the 20% increase as opposed to the 16.6% (or whatever it was) without the 2 extra games.
Michael79
May 13th, 2010
3:37 pm
The ENTIRE outfield was added on…
Maurice
May 13th, 2010
3:40 pm
He didn’t say anything wrong, but we have to admit that although MV7 is gone the Falcons are still the hotter ticket between the Braves and Falcons. Matt Ryan. Braves. Jason Heyward.
Now can we get another name to go along with Josh Smith and Al Horford that doesn’t rhyme with Choking Joe Johnson?
chuck
May 13th, 2010
3:41 pm
Hey listen…if we could get an extra 5K seasts filled a night…that’s 400K extra fans at an avg ticket price of let’s say $20….that’s $8MM a year for another bat…Heyward is worth that increase alone over a whole year.
Provided you can convince fans that they can get home before midnight with easier traffic.
Nacho Daddy
May 13th, 2010
3:43 pm
Re: traffic .. if you take fulton st east to Hill st north to MLK,
you can get on 75 N in min’s flat…
Joe Cool
May 13th, 2010
3:45 pm
Ron Roberts, your points are definitely valid.
And to those talking about traffic: I live in Grant Park, literally 5 minutes from the park, and traffic is STILL A NIGHTMARE for me. I went to opening day and it took me, literally, an hour to get over to my parking spot.
My favorite thing ever was the last year we went to the playoffs, 2005. I went to about 40 home games that season, and my crew and I had a standard routine for pre-game traffic and parking down pat. Then, we went to the playoff opener, and the APD, in their infinite wisdom, had totally changed every traffic pattern that had been in use all season. So, instead of going the exact same way that we had gone for 40 games that season, all of the roads were blocked, reversed or one-laned and we wound up being 30 minutes late for the game, even though we had left our customary 1 hour early.
The incompetence of the APD and the Braves game-day ops certainly do not help things.
However, as more and more affluent young college grads continue pouring into the city core, someone will have enough sense to buy up all the dilapidated ghetto crap immediately around the stadium and build some mixed-use stuff that will create a real atmosphere around the ballfield. No more worries about getting your car stolen in front of the Section 8 house you had to park at to get to the game on time. I wish Tom Cousins had not of pissed all his money away on the Streets of Buckhead.
Pete*
May 13th, 2010
3:46 pm
Nacho if you park on west side of 75/85 (believe me much easier to get there), then you can take Fulton east and get on 75/85 right at Fulton with no need for Hill or MLK. Done it for years now shhhhhhh its a secret lol
ABravesFan
May 13th, 2010
3:47 pm
It’s the J-Hey kid effect. Hopefully, the number will stay up and increase over time, so the Braves will eventually have a good shot to keep him around for a long long time.
Manny
May 13th, 2010
3:47 pm
Jason Heyward is true. He has my two young sons watching baseball, and they think baseball’s boring.
But Jason Heyward is the attraction that introduces Glaus and Conrad to the masses. The Braves looks youthful again. We look like we have some youth and excitement. We look optimistic. And our starting pitchers looks good.
In short, the fans are coming back because there’s a better, more exciting product out on the field.
bfred
May 13th, 2010
3:50 pm
At this point, why would anyone expect a rational action out of Atlanta city government? The Olympic Stadium/Turner Field was put where it was for one reason – politics. It was supposed to bouy economic activity in the surrounding area. Wow, mission accomplished!
It should have been at worst where Olympic Park is, and preferably where Atlantic Station now sits. Heck, at that point half of Midtown was available for bulldozing. Can you imagine a stadium on the site of the Federal Reserve? Regardless, it is indefensible that there is no rail access. How difficult is an above-ground spur?
But for those complaining about MARTA – come on. I have taken the train to countless Hawks, Falcons, Thrashers games, concerts, etc. and in more than 20 years never had a single problem. The people traveling to those events far outnumber any problem types. Plus you can get game tickets for just a few bucks and are allowed to bring your own food if you don’w want stadium prices. Those excuses are tired and weak.
Pete*
May 13th, 2010
3:50 pm
Joe Cool: “However, as more and more affluent young college grads continue pouring into the city core, someone will have enough sense to buy up all the dilapidated ghetto crap immediately around the stadium and build some mixed-use stuff that will create a real atmosphere around the ballfield. No more worries about getting your car stolen in front of the Section 8 house you had to park at to get to the game on time.”
Agree with you 100%, the only problem is it will take another 10 years or so before that happens. Braves made a serious error locating the stadium where it is, due to wanting to be “politically correct” and not be seen as fleeing downtown. Decades ago, MARTA also made a terrible decision (what a shock!) by not putting a train station at the stadium.
Ron Roberts
May 13th, 2010
3:52 pm
Incidentally, while I agree it’d be nice if MARTA had a train going TO the stadium, I also think development in and around the ballpark would be important, too. They were wise about that in Denver and San Diego, and are developing it around parks in St. Louis and Washington D.C., as well. Denver’s Blake Street is an experience; no traffic, just pedestrians and shuttles to and from the stadium and satellite parking lots. Folks wander up and down Blake Street to shop at cafes, stores, bars, etc., before and after games. Great scene.
chuck
May 13th, 2010
3:52 pm
Nacho you should know better to give secrets away regarding traffic, your go-to move in the sack, and special recipes…now you’ve just created another logjam
I am just irritated as an out of town fan that the most consistent, winningest team could never draw sufficient enough attendance to keep this media nightmare that owns us from justifying taking valuable $$ out of our coffers.
This team shouldn’t necessarily expect to outspend the NY teams, or Boston given the current economic structure; but everyone else? If we need to spend a few bucks, we can’t justify it by showing steady 35K-40K a night attendance.
Let’s face it 3MM a year comes to 37K a night. So shooting for 2.8MM a year (35K a night) sounds like a reasonable organizational goal. It’s gonna take more than fairy dust and magic slippers to make it happen though.
It’s funny to me, but it seems like Liberty doesn’t want to win OR make money. Until one of these goals is established and pursued it’ll be difficult to chart a path.
Nacho Daddy
May 13th, 2010
3:53 pm
Light Rail (trolly car type) on Hank Arron Dr to Ga State Station would work
Pete*
May 13th, 2010
3:55 pm
bfred, youre right that MARTA works great for the Hawks, Falcons, Thrashers, concerts etc. because there is a station right there, but it is horrible for Braves games cause you have to transfer to a bus. Then if you have to leave early for some reason, you cant cause the busses dont come back till almost end of game.
Pete*
May 13th, 2010
3:56 pm
RON if you want a great scene, try Wrigley. Priceless, as they say.
Corey
May 13th, 2010
3:57 pm
Heyward is the reason I had to be sitting in right field opening day… my 2 year old son’s first game. And, he’s the reason I want to watch every game. I’ve watched most games over the past 20 years, but it’s been a long time since I wanted to watch them all… Heyward.
Nacho Daddy
May 13th, 2010
4:00 pm
Heyward needs to bat third, Chipper needs to bat lower in the order or take a nap until the 8th or 9th (pinch hitter)
Lew
May 13th, 2010
4:02 pm
Cause going to ballgames is fun.
ATL Fan
May 13th, 2010
4:03 pm
This is the first year since the baseball strike that I am seriously considering attending an Atlanta Braves baseball game. The only reason I may go is to offer my respects to Bobby Cox.
Angus
May 13th, 2010
4:03 pm
A little insight into the mess that is the Ted’s surrounding area.
http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/fans-residents-hope-for-440441.html
Sadly the ADA and FCRA are, to put it mildly, lacking in competency.
ATLAndrew
May 13th, 2010
4:03 pm
I’m going to more games this year because it’s an inexpensive (whoever thinks an $8 ticket for a 3 hour game is expensive is ridiculous) alternative to going to a movie or something indoors. The weather has been nice this year, especially compared to last spring, when it rained for pretty much all of May. My wife and I can go to a game, get a couple drinks, and some hot dogs for about the cost of going out to an average dinner at a nothing-special restaurant. Even if they aren’t as great as we (and they) had hoped for, it’s fun to watch and hope for the grand slam/home run/base hit that we need to get ahead.
Saw an article the other day that said Braves games are the third cheapest of any MLB team–anyone who complains about cost, it could be worse.
Ron Roberts
May 13th, 2010
4:04 pm
Pete, I’m not a Cubs’ fan, and yet I AM going to a game or two there this summer because I WANT to experience that ballpark and its surroundings. Cubs fans only come to ATL to watch games because tickets are so much easier to come by to see their Cubbies at Turner Field than at Wrigley.
Ohnobraves formally known as gobraves
May 13th, 2010
4:04 pm
i think its real easy….they started the season at home vs the cubs. the first day of baseball is exciting and you know that they sold at least 5000 tickets a day to cubs fans. i think by the end of the season unless we are defending off teams to stay in first place the numbers will level out.
steve whitmire
May 13th, 2010
4:05 pm
WE NOW live in Charleston, s.c., and love our minor league team the Riverdogs, but we’re hoping to get down there and check out the Bravos at least once this year, once a Braves fan always etc.
chuck
May 13th, 2010
4:06 pm
Bob and Chipper have both been napping in the clubhouse.
Hey, interesting question here…when we hit the turn at like 21-20 having played some of the worst baseball in memory, with bad performances from everyone save Heyward. Faced the 5 best aces in the NL (Halladay, Lince, Jimenez, Gallardo, Wainwright)…and played mostly on the road…
If someone had laid out the scenario for you prior to the season, would you have ever dreamed we wouldn’t have dug a 10 game hole?
Not me. Still something to look forward to this year is my point, as long as Bobby doesn’t keep trotting trash out there.
Pete*
May 13th, 2010
4:07 pm
Ron, will be best baseball experience you probably will ever have. Make sure you go to a day game, and try for the bleachers (good luck!). Train station right outside gate; many bars/restaurants. Make sure and go to Murphy’s Bleachers, right beyond right field wall.
chuck
May 13th, 2010
4:08 pm
Sorry, Hanson, Hudson, Wagner, Prado and Moylan are all exempt from my prior statement regarding who has stunk it up.
Ohnobraves formally known as gobraves
May 13th, 2010
4:09 pm
for everyone using traffic as an excuse…show up early be there and hang out with firends at like 4.
Ronald Millsaps
May 13th, 2010
4:10 pm
Several reasons: Bobby’s final season, Jason Heyward’s hype and delivering on the hype, the fact that the team is pretty blamed talented (finally playing cohesively… still need to get McLouth out of the lineup, though), quality opponents (we’ve had some road fans, too), and the weather, which, as I recall, has been better than it was a year ago.
Concerned
May 13th, 2010
4:12 pm
Send that franchise to Birmingham, Alabama – they deserve a ball club.
I hope that was a joke. Alabama doesnt care at all about pro sports. If its not Alabama football they dont care about it.Definitely not ready for the big leagues.
Nacho Daddy
May 13th, 2010
4:17 pm
Great point Chuck ! don’t forget Infante and Hinske (Bobby please play the hottest hand ! )
Joe Fan
May 13th, 2010
4:23 pm
Attendance was up because people, enticed by the performance of Heyward, had nothing better to do with their money, than to pay to see a below average entertainment product. Prediction, unless the Braves find a way to stay competitive, attendance will slump as the season goes along.
Michael79
May 13th, 2010
4:33 pm
Ron, you are gonna have a BLAST in chi town!!!!
ATLRoAcH
May 13th, 2010
4:34 pm
There is too many reasons to list for why people go to Turner Field. Going to see the Braves with my friends is about the most enjoyable experience there is. You can count on me to go to 3 or 4 games a year or more. Win or Lose. Just being at Turner Field with my friends is well worth it. As far as traffic goes we always try to get to the game early so we can see batting practice and we usually only go to Friday games because you get the fireworks show. After the fireworks are over the traffic isn’t too bad because a lot of people leave right after the game. I love the Braves and I love Turner Field. You just can’t beat the ticket price either. You can get cheap tickets for $1 to $5 and you can get field level for $20. I can’t think of a reason not to go.
usnavyvolfaninva
May 13th, 2010
4:36 pm
Jason Heyward, plain and simple.
Murph
May 13th, 2010
4:39 pm
Bring Your Kid To Work Day was last month… my guess is Chipper’s kids alone could account for that much of an attendance gain.
61 year Braves Fan
May 13th, 2010
4:44 pm
Since i live in Connecticut, I can’t comment on the traffic problem. I do know that the prices are much
more reasonable than they are for a Boston Red Sox game (highest in the majors). Yet they have sold
out over 550 consecutive games. There is virtually no parking near Fenway Park and what little there
is can cost you $50. What draws fans? Winning and paying for star players. I think Heyward and
Hanson will be huge stars and if Brave ownership would supplement them with High priced star
players, you would see attendance really rise. You get what you pay for.
Nacho Daddy
May 13th, 2010
4:45 pm
I like to go and sneek in Bud “tall boys” like the ones they sell in the park. ( six pack cost same as one in the park )
Joe Cool
May 13th, 2010
4:59 pm
There does not need to be parking near Fenway because there is legitimate public transportation and lots of people are within walking distance.
Let’s also not forget the brilliant marketing sham that is “Red Sox Nation.” At least the BoSox have put a decent product on the field for most of this decade, unlike the Cubs who have been stealing money for 100 years from their fans.
fieldofdreams
May 13th, 2010
5:04 pm
It’s pretty obvious that J-Hey is responsible for the increased attendance. On another note: did anyone really think the Braves might climb back to .500, a couple of weeks ago?
Chris from the Rock
May 13th, 2010
5:10 pm
The Braves have played some home games this season. It’s seemed like the season has been one long road trip.
Nacho Daddy
May 13th, 2010
5:12 pm
The reason they are close to .500 is because Chipper and Escobar have been out of the line up, and Infante, Conrad and Hinske have been allowed to play
Marc in FL
May 13th, 2010
5:17 pm
Woot, keep it up, let’s have a good showing this home-stand to help convince management to invest in this club!
And I didn’t think the Marlins pulled enough to actually have a decrease, lol.
Mutts
May 13th, 2010
5:19 pm
The J-Hey Kid!!!!
David O'Brien
May 13th, 2010
5:30 pm
A couple of folks didn’t notice, I didn’t write this one.
But my view of the situation: Too early to gauge attendance. It’s skewed by having much better early schedule and weather this season. They opened at home against Cubs in mid-week, so that’s much, much better attendance automatically than you’d get for almost any other mid-week series. Haven’t had the torrential rains on Friday nights so far, like last year. And they’ve only played four home series — two mid-week ones against good draws, Cubs and Phillies, and two weekend ones against modest-to-bad draws, Colorado and Houston. If reversed, and they played Rockies and Astros mid-week, it might have been ugly. Some really small crowds.
But make no mistake, Heyward has definitely sold a lot of tickets, and will continue to do so if Braves play decent baseball….
Meanwhile we’re going to see Josh Ritter tonight, and my Celtics are playing Cleveland in Game 6. Hate watching an NBA game on DVR, but gonna have to do it. I’ll probably cheat and see if it was a good game before I invest the time after midnight.
Braves One
May 13th, 2010
5:32 pm
A couple of thoughts about the increase in attendance…
A decent spring training with the excitement of Jason Heyward sold a slew of advanced tickets. This may well have included fans who are showing up with their pre-purchased tickets who would not have attended given the teams struggles to this point.
As several have noted so far, many are showing up to see Heyward. He is worth the price of admission to some, regardless of the game’s outcome.
I think the Bobby Cox influence will be more toward September when the sentiment is flowing.
It will be interesting to see how the attendance numbers look at the all-star break vs now.
Chip Shot
May 13th, 2010
5:40 pm
Hey it isn’t so…J-a-s-o-n H-e-y-w-a-r-d
faninva
May 13th, 2010
5:43 pm
More Heyward, less Loaf.
Braves One
May 13th, 2010
5:43 pm
I sincerely hope Bobby Cox rewards Brooks Conrad by letting him stay in the lineup until he cools down. He has been great at third, getting kudos from Baseball Tonight, has hit the ball hard and he has been hustling on the bases. Although not quite the talent level, he reminds me of a lefthanded hitting Dustin Pedroia.
I think the lineup the last couple of games is fine and Chipper needs more rehab.
Side note…The Royals fired manager Trey Hillman. Excellent baseball man. Don’t let the KC Royals record reflect too much on him. I used to attend Columbus Clippers games in Ohio when the were the Yankees AAA team and Trey was the manager. After each game he would sit in uniform on the end of the dugout where fans would line up for autographs after the game and Trey stayed there until the last fan in line had passed. He loves the game and if you check around he is highly respected around professional baseball. I would recommend him for our third base coaching position as he would be a great influence in the clubhouse as well.
Ron Roberts
May 13th, 2010
5:48 pm
If I’m not mistaken, there’s a scheduling quirk w/the Braves this year, in that every month, they play more road games than home games except for June, August and the three October games; in June it’s even, and in August, the disparity is ridiculously unbalanced, which makes up for playing more road games in April, May, July and September.
Maybe the rise in attendance is simply fewer home games and the home opener factoring more because of the fewer games?
a town
May 13th, 2010
5:54 pm
J-hey and Cox are big factors; but don’t how much it rained last year. that had to kill ticket sales and concession sales from people who left the games early.
Nacho Daddy
May 13th, 2010
5:59 pm
Once school lets out attendance will rise. Bobby needs to keep Jason batting third.
Chris from the Rock
May 13th, 2010
6:09 pm
Just imagine how much better attendance would be if Norton was still on the team.
Kyle
May 13th, 2010
6:19 pm
i say its the melky factor
Poorbrave
May 13th, 2010
6:38 pm
Got to be J-Hey, no other reason.
ThePro10
May 13th, 2010
7:08 pm
SP to say take away the home opener they would only have a 9.6% increase is ridiculous. Ok by that rationale take away the opening day attendance for just about every team on that list and i would venture to say their overall attendance would also be down from last year!!!
Its gotta be Heyward because i dont think the other reasons given would be a cause for such a large overall increase at this point
taxman kenneth
May 13th, 2010
7:09 pm
My guess is Jason Heyward. I read today that Chipper plans to return from his tweak on Friday. The winning streak will be over then. Just watch and see. He needs to pinch hit and let Conrad play 3rd and keep Escobar ever where he is. Bring up Freeman and let Glaus play 3rd.
Jo-Bu
May 13th, 2010
7:20 pm
Fresh
May 13th, 2010
1:09 pm
n,
Contrary to popular belief. This is a really good town for all sporting events (football, baseball, basketball, and maybe hocky). Give the people a quality product and they will show up to see it. It’s that simple.
Right-on, Fresh.
The reason the Thrashers aren’t drawing is becuase the team isn’t winning. Hockey-town or not, if the first playoff bid the Thrashers had was any indication, we packed the “Bulb” full when the “Thrash” were in it.
Ralph
May 13th, 2010
7:29 pm
Jason Heyward. No need to go further. I am even considering getting my license to carry a concealed weapon and riding MARTA and attending a game myself.
Dirty
May 13th, 2010
7:30 pm
A new spin:
It’s baseball. The ol’ American past time has it’s roots deeply imbedded in our society, no matter whether you like the sport or not. The economy has been crap lately. Just like the ’20’s – ’30’s baseball realy survived, and once the economy started recovering baseball as a whole took a boom. Especially teams that seemed to have a contender.
The Braves have somethings going for it, a rookie sensation, a hometown future Hall of Famer, a decent pitching staff (something true Braves fans pride our team on), and a retiring firey coach.
Optimism, coupled with some hope for the American future outside of baseball has all contributed to the rise in attendance. Atlanta needs some good to look forward to and the Braves, at least in a few games, have provided enough hope for a post-season appreance again, and a rise from the bottom that we, and the team have dwelled in the past couple of years.
Either that or I’m full of s—. GO BRAVES!
NO MORE BOBBY
May 13th, 2010
8:48 pm
wheelz007 – I agree with your one and two but three? Don’t think so. My guess is the lame BRAVES COUNTRY signs all over Atlanta are working. Ask the Boston fans how they feel having us rip off their Red Sox Nation saying. But ours is not as cool and sounds like a truck commercial.
TBRAVE
May 13th, 2010
9:21 pm
All of the above + the general economy and consumer confidence has improved over the last year in Atlanta.
Fresh-Hater
May 13th, 2010
9:22 pm
I like that, Fresh. Anybody who doesn’t have the same opinion as you is retarded or refuses to see reality.
The world needs more closed minds like yours.
BraveMan
May 13th, 2010
9:52 pm
its jason… but imagine the nats attendance when strausburg is called up.
My, My, Hey, Hey ...
May 13th, 2010
10:45 pm
No one cares about Bobby. It’s all Heyward. Cox can’t argue, Chipper can’t hit and Albert Hall would be a better threat at leadoff than anyone we’ve tried. Has anyone seen Omar Moreno lately?
BATMAN
May 13th, 2010
10:58 pm
I think people are coming out hoping the Braves will begin to live up to the preseason hype . Heywood , Hanson , and Hudson give us hope for better days .
Richie
May 13th, 2010
11:25 pm
More ticket deals maybe?
Ozzie
May 13th, 2010
11:25 pm
Jaba you nailed it.
But to be fair – this is a fluff blog piece to keep the banter up during an off day.
The Braves were terrible until late June and the economy was in full face plant.
Look at number over the past 10 years if you want a fair trend analysis.
Bottom line if Wren and Bobby rely on bench players to miraculously save the bacon its going to be a long season.
This team could sweep AZ or get shut out two of the three games. That coin toss reality of this club needs to be fixed.
The Braves are the epitome of Forrest Gump’s – box of chocolate line – “you never know what you are gunna to git”
ScottBravesfan
May 14th, 2010
12:51 am
If you guys think that tickets to a Braves game is expensive you are stupid or dirt poor. Yeah things inside like cokes and food are expensive, but eat before or after the game. Ride MARTA to the game so you don’t have to worry about traffic and it’s 4 bucks round trip. The Braves have buy one get one tickets for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday games that is incredible. And the regular priced seats on the weekend are not expensive either.
Bob Wren
May 14th, 2010
1:12 am
The reason for the fan increase is that everyone wants to see and appreciate all the good work Frank Wren has done in building this team. Operating on a limited budget Wren has worked wonders bring Atlanta a great group of players..
Train Wreck Bystander
May 14th, 2010
1:16 am
I think it’s because the 2010 schedule has most of the home games later in the year. Fewer early opportunities, more people going to the park in the few home games so far.
Ray Parker Jr.
May 14th, 2010
2:11 am
That bring a picture of your white trash mobile home and get a free hot dog promo seems to be going over well.
TiftonTom
May 14th, 2010
3:17 am
I went to my first game this year (game 2 vs Cubs) after being a fan since the powder blue uniform years when you could count the fans on the TV screen. My wife is now among the converted and bought us tickets for July 4. I just wanted to see them live once before I die and I had a blast. Go Braves!!!!!!
chop33
May 14th, 2010
3:43 am
it has nothing to do with Bobby Cox, who should already be retired, and everything to do with Jason Heyward.
Just my opinion
Marine in Marjah
May 14th, 2010
4:12 am
I can say that every time I have the chance to look up scores and stats the 1st person I look at is Jason Heyward. If Tommy Hanson was pitching I make it a point to check as soon as possible as well. Lastly, Chipper Jones… his average is down, but his OBP is still right where it always is and I believe before the year is out he will return a bit closer to form average wise than he is right now and people will once again jump back on his bandwagon.
My family and I have planned to drive over 600 miles from my home base to attend a weekend series for 2 reasons. Chipper doesn’t have that long left and has been the heart of this franchise for a very long time and I want my kids to see the man that brought the last generation of optimistic crowds into the Ted. I also want them to see the future kids (Heyward and Hanson) that will bring us into the next generation (my kids).
Jay
May 14th, 2010
5:56 am
Another reason may be Friday night fireworks after the game
39YearBravesFan
May 14th, 2010
5:59 am
It’s the Rookie. He’s exciting to watch on TV.
GO BRAVES!!
Trader...
May 14th, 2010
6:37 am
Nothing too shocking here…
Heyward, Bobby’s retirement and preseason hype. Hopefully the hype pans out and the fans keep coming.
Rodney Derrick
May 14th, 2010
7:30 am
No question that some of the factors listed above have had an impact. But the big one is that the economy has improved, so businesses can buy more tickets for their employees and for people they want to influence and more middle and upper income folks can justify spending the money. The unemployment rate may be high, but the economic fear is gone. Now I will not go into the issue of giving credit to anyone for this economic change as that would bring out all kinds of weirdness on the blog. One other point though is that complaining about Wren is really not fair considering the budget constraints and the reality that those constraints would not be there if Atlanta supported the Braves the way fans in New York, Philadelphia, LA, and Chicago support their clubs.
ronald mcdonald
May 14th, 2010
7:54 am
Its the cheap beer at the Ted. For around $200 I can get hammered and act like a clown.
McCann Fan
May 14th, 2010
8:02 am
I’d like to say it again because I can………..Hey ward!!!!!!!!!!
Playoffs!?!?
May 14th, 2010
8:32 am
Too small a sample–and the Cubs series did help
Marc in FL
May 14th, 2010
8:50 am
“Jayson Stark of ESPN recently reported that a friend of Oswalt believes the hurler’s preferred destinations are Texas, St. Louis, and Atlanta, though it’s hard to imagine any of those teams being a fit.”
I’d love to have Oswalt on our team. Our offense will be average all year, but we proved for over a decade that an average line-up with stellar pitching can win. I say send Medlen in a package, put KK in the bullpen and get us a Roy Oswalt! A big reason we should make this push is for the sake of our younger pitchers, they can learn a lot from this dude like JJ did from Javy.
Ralph
May 14th, 2010
9:05 am
I would only go to see Bobby Cocks if he were leaving today then I would have something to celebrate.
26-Year Braves Fan
May 14th, 2010
9:50 am
Trend is moving in the right direction but we’re not there yet. Three weeknight Phillies games in Atlanta drew 61,679 .. Three weekend Braves games in Philadelphia drew 136,027 .. That’s a pretty wide discrepancy .. Braves are no longer a must-see destination attraction .. Emergence of Jason Heyward and being in the race after the All-Star break will help .. Experience once you are inside the ballpark is exceptional and neighborhood is safe but parking is still a hassle and there are some fairly aggressive people outside Turner Field who need to be gone .. Braves security and the Atlanta PD need to pick up their game and guarantee the perimeter .. It is keeping some people away ..
PMC
May 14th, 2010
9:51 am
Even riding Marta to the game is a journey and you can’t avoid traffic because you have to take Marta to 5pts and then take the bus though traffic to get there. Or you can get off at Garnett and walk 2 miles.
Reid in EAV
May 14th, 2010
10:02 am
We’re hardly representative, but given that I live just a few miles from the Ted, we’re at games quite a bit and my daughters and I *always* attend the Sunday home games.
By the way, did you notice that the neighborhoods close by the stadium improve every year? There are lot more people who *could* be northsiders who instead are living in Grant Park. (There’s a veritable caravan of folks walking down Georgia Avenue from Cherokee Ave. before each and every game, not that you would have noticed that.)
Jeff
May 14th, 2010
10:28 am
C from Marietta sorry for the late response but I am not a fair weathered fan. I went to games at Fulton Co back when we were terrible. My point is why would I put money in the pockets of an ownership group that could care less about the fans. They want to make money not build a championship team. Go enjoy the games if that is what floats your boat. The Yankees win titles because their fans do not tolerate losing. Whether thats right or not it gets results.
BuckheadBrave
May 14th, 2010
10:28 am
First of all the ghetto comment is lame. Build it in the northeast side…really? How far northeast? I’d rather be in the area around Turner field than anywhere in North Dekalb or South Gwinnett, the worst area in Metro Atlanta I have seen so far is Jimmy Carter Blvd…yikes! The area directly surrounding the stadium is more than sketchy i’ll give you that BUT it’s off of 75/85 and lets not forget it was the Olympic Stadium, it had to be IN Atlanta. Also its adjacent to Grant Park, for those of you who havent spent extended time inside the perimeter since 1978 but love to act like you still know what its like, most of Grant Park these days is WHITE, UPPER MIDDLE CLASS, YOUNG FAMILIES. I doubt they want the Applebees frequent diner card and $3 that are in your wallet. That being said I think the stadium should have been built in West Midtown the land is there and there is a great restaurant and bar scene to surround it the problem is none of that was there in 1996.
BuckheadBrave
May 14th, 2010
10:30 am
i’m not going to post the route around the traffic here because then it wouldnt be “around the traffic” but it involves going east of the stadium.
Soul
May 14th, 2010
10:41 am
J-Hey
Marc in FL
May 14th, 2010
10:52 am
I think some people forget sports are just another form of entertainment. It’s like watching a TV show or going to see a play. If you can’t just sit down and enjoy the game then you need to rethink what the game means to you.
Would it be nice to win a WS? Sure, it would be great. But some movies are better than others, just like sports seasons, and as long as you get to see a really good flick time to time it makes it worth paying for some of the over-hyped films.
My opinion anyways
dudeman
May 14th, 2010
11:58 am
heyward. plain and simple.
Luv 2 Hate Me
May 14th, 2010
12:45 pm
I went to game 3 of the colorado home game. Wanted to see Bobby get ejected more it being his last year but saw Jason hit the winning 2 run single in the bottom of the 9th. Yes I think folks are there to see “J” more than Bobby.
stupup74
May 14th, 2010
3:33 pm
Reason: Jason Heyward (Clap, Clap, Clap)
Next Question.
stupup74
May 14th, 2010
3:35 pm
All joking aside, Jason Heyward has made it cool to be a Braves fan again.
Tomas
May 14th, 2010
3:58 pm
No rain, and Heyward
Steve
May 14th, 2010
4:33 pm
I really don’t think the Bobby Cox scenario is increasing attendance that much. The fans do love him, but the reality is you don’t go to the games for a manager, not even a HoF’er like BC.
I would say J-Hey has the most to do with it, but it probably also helps that the weather has been about as good as it gets for baseball. 70-80 degrees with very few ‘questionable’ weather days like rain outs. You also have factors such as Day/Night, weekday/weekend, opponents, etc.
Too many factors to figure out why, but one thing is for certain .. despite increased attendance you can bet the Braves payroll won’t go up.
John
May 14th, 2010
6:58 pm
J-HEY is why! DUHHHH!