Crowds indicate Braves’ fans have checked out
I bring you this photo only to show you how few people were sitting in even the good seats behind the New York Mets' dugout Tuesday night at Turner Field.
Let’s start with all of the factors/excuses that might have led to the crowd at the Tuesday night Braves-Mets game at Turner Field looking like a crowd at a Tuesday night Thrashers-Lightning game at Philips Arena.
♦ 1) Tuesday night.
♦ 2) The weather.
♦ 3) The economy.
♦ 4) The lack of a playoff race, or perceived playoff race, and I would imagine the Braves’ position on that would depend on the timing of the discussion, as in either: 1) “Come see us! We’re in a playoff race!” Or, 2) “Well, or course nobody came to see us. We’re not in a playoff race.”
Here’s what my view on a team’s attendance always has been: If people feel there’s a reason to go, they go. They find a way. They battle elements. They don’t worry about traffic or “driving all the way downtown.” They cut back on one thing so they can spend money on another. They just go.
But Tuesday night at Turner Field was kind of embarrassing. The announced attendance was 25,094. Somebody must have forgotten a decimal point. (Sorry, self-plagiarizing. That was a late-night Twitter missive.) The actual turnstile count looked to be one-third of that.
For the record, the Braves say the MLB mandate is that announced attendance figures represent tickets sold. That’s required because, like in the NFL, attendance is tied to revenue sharing. If that’s true, thousands of people had a ticket-burning party Tuesday night.
But regardless of where the truth lies with the exact numbers, it doesn’t change the core issue: Fans largely have turned off the switch when it comes to this team.
It was Tommy Hanson pitching. It was a Braves team coming off a three-game sweep in St. Louis. It was a series against the Mets, even if a series against the Mets isn’t quite what it used to be.
I’m not saying that should add up to 40,000 people. I just think it should add up to a lot more than 8,000.
The Braves have worked hard to try to improve the game-day experience for fans. But the bottom line numbers won’t reflect that this year. According to announced attendance figures — and I stress the word announced — the Braves have averaged 29,300 in 69 home games, with 12 to go. That is tracking to be a record low for the team at Turner Field, just below the 29,399 they drew in 2004.
So fans, I have a simple question for you: Do you find a compelling reason to go to a game the rest of the season?
Meanwhile, below are the Braves’ announced attendance averages since 1991, when the post-season run began. Attendance figures from 1991 to 1996 were games played at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
I’ll check back in a bit.
Season Average 1991 26,422 1992 37,992 1993 47,960 1994 44,548 1995 35,581
1996 35,818 1997 42,771 1998 41,492 1999 40,554 2000 39,930 2001 34,858 2002 32,142 2003 30,393 2004 29,399 2005 31,519 2006 31,869 2007 33,891 2008 31,269 2009 29,300
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277 comments Add your comment
Herschel Talker
September 16th, 2009
11:11 am
FIRST! Time to play mega millions!
SCHULTZIE – we will check back in only when BOOBY is FIRED!!!!
Russell
September 16th, 2009
11:11 am
Two factors: the sweep by the Reds ended 95% hope of a playoff berth (unless the amazing happens, in which fans will run back in droves). Second, the college football season has started. Much more important in the South than the Braves…
Herschel Talker
September 16th, 2009
11:15 am
NINTH!
Daniel
September 16th, 2009
11:15 am
Jeff- As a partial season ticket holder, I have given away my tickets for the last two games, because of weather and I broke my foot. But, I would have made it despite those issues if we were more in the race.
I go to 30 games a year on average, but I have to say that it is so much easier going to Philips for the Hawks because of MARTA. I know that doesn’t explain the recent trend, but it really bugs me, that Turner field does not have a train stop.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 16th, 2009
11:21 am
The product on the field is mediocore. Mediocore is being generous. No talent on the field. Who is the starting outfield? The best infielder is a aging late thirties thirdbaseman? The superstar is the catcher who is the legitimate superstar on the team. This franchise was once great. Now it is an also-ran organization. That is why fans have checked out.
Toots
September 16th, 2009
11:26 am
All I know is that I was there, and everyone else should be too.
Nah..it goes back to the old bandwagon. Turner Field was an awfully jolly place when the team was winning consistently with the chance of going to the playoffs. This year’s incarnation of the Braves took fans on one too many turns on the roller coaster. It seems fans got tired of feeling like they were going to puke.
Now…if they were able to win the last 18 games (or however many are left), I think you’d see a full(er) house for the last home stand, but (optimist that I am) I’m not counting on it.
mudcat
September 16th, 2009
11:32 am
Travelling 200 miles round trip is a problem for us. Travelling that far just to see them lose is a killer. If it we lived in Atlanta it would make sense. It seems like the die-hard fans live further away from Atlanta. Too many Yankees now call Atlanta their home, I’m afraid. We usually see about 15-18 games a year. Most of the time we’ve sat with people who were born and raised in Michigan, Ohio, New York, etc. Not real, dedicated home-baked fans. The stadium is great, prices are reasonable, but the dedication is not there.
Scoots
September 16th, 2009
11:36 am
If the Braves sweep the Mets, I will 100% attend a game this weekend.
Nittany Lion
September 16th, 2009
11:37 am
Lowcountry. You would know who the starting outfield is if you would bother to watch the games on t.v or go to the games or even follow baseball. Garrett Anderson has had a great career with the L.A. Angels and Nate McClouth also has had pretty good career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Matt Diaz is a great hitter and always has been with the Braves.
Herschel Talker
September 16th, 2009
11:39 am
FIRE BOOBY, and we’ll all be back!
dcp
September 16th, 2009
11:40 am
The fans have not stepped up. The only series with full houses were the intergleague ones, only because of the AL fan bases here in ATL. Contrast that with Boston, Philly, and New York where every game is sold out. You are right – people find a way to do things if they want to – this fan base has retracted. This whole year has been a roller coaster – some minor win streaks but that was it. Prices are not outrageous – they have all kinds of promotions to encourage fans to come. They are just not showing up.
RobU
September 16th, 2009
11:41 am
Once Heyward comes up, he’ll bring the Michael Vick effect to the Braves. Black people will start to take notice and the park will fill up. It’s not racism, it’s realism. Atlanta is pre-dominantly black and are dying to get behind a black superstar.
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 16th, 2009
11:41 am
I’ve been to the TED 9 times this year. Once inside, the gameday experience is very good. Getting to and from there is a TREK.
Daniel, you can thank the Fulton Co. Recreation Authority for no train service to the TED. They refused to give up the parking revenue at Fulton County Stadium, thusly the train system doesn’t stop there.
Flash
September 16th, 2009
11:42 am
It’s hardly an exciting team to watch this year. And with what it costs my family (four of us) to attend, park and eat I’d rather spend my money and time elsewhere. The play has been lackluster for several years now. Above all, for us at least, the Braves have simply priced us out of going to more games.
swhite1115
September 16th, 2009
11:43 am
I’d like to see the average attendance for a Tuesday night game for that same span of time. My guess is that it would be in the 25-30000 range. There are many factors besides pennant races determining attendance at a baseball game.
- I can tell you now I’m not taking my kids out to the ballpark on a rainy night, a school night don’t forget.
- Why go sit in the rain when you can watch them on TV?
- I read something the other day that said attendance was down for all but nine teams. If that’s true, why in the world would you be surprised that attendance was low on a rainy Tuesday night??
- Daniel is right, it’s very inconvenient to get to the ballpark. If you want to ride MARTA you have to weigh whether you want to wait for the shuttle in the rain or walk to the Ga. State station in the rain. (Why the imbeciles who designed MARTA in the first place didn’t put a spur that went to the stadium and on to the Zoo is beyond me. But that’s a discussion for another page)
- The economy is the big, big factor. Folks out there, including this folk, have lost their jobs and are trying to make ends meet as best they can. Attending a baseball game is far down the list. And this “make the fan experience appealing” is kind of ridiculous. I go to the ball games to spend time with my kids watching a baseball game, not all that other stuff. There was a time when that was enough. I guess those times have passed.
- I’m a native Atlantan, and remember listening to Milo Hamilton and Ernie Johnson call that first game when Tony Cloninger pitched into extra innings against the Pirates. I’m a Braves fan, and I enjoy the games; I’ve gone when they were at their worst and when they were at their best. That being said, it’s just not the same game anymore. Baseball doesn’t feel like it used to, there’s a cynicism in the air. All of the joy of baseball has been sucked out. It’s all artificial, it’s all hype. Regardless of what the commissioner and the owners and players say, it’s not about the fans anymore. It’s about money. And it’s a business, so that’s fine, but remember that businesses sometimes make bad decisions. I just can’t afford to go to games anymore. It’s just too expensive. There are other things in my life that are more important than a ticket to a baseball game.
misterwax
September 16th, 2009
11:45 am
the main reason for low attendence is there is NO consistent capability to win games when they are necessary to do so….Either Cox pulls a great starter from a game he is clearly in charge of… for some all blessed pitch count and install a bull pen man who blows the game, (Medlen, Soriano and others) and they lose it….or the have a game killing situation in the earlier innings and can’t deliver the death blow to keep the lead or knock out the other team….this has happens way too often….Cox knows it and so does everyone else….the could have had several winning streaks this season of 8 or more, but they flounder and fold up like a tent in a stiff breeze…..it does NOT sell more tickets.
Brian
September 16th, 2009
11:48 am
The Braves are blessed to be the South’s baseball team. They have as large a fan base as any team outside of NY and LA. The problem is that the Braves’ fan base is by far the most spread out of any team (besides bandwagon Yankees and Red Sox fans). I saw some cool map one time that showed how the country was broken down by which baseball team they cheered for, and the Braves “own” six states and are major factors in a few others. No other team has a higher percentage of their fans living over an hour away from the ballpark. This makes it difficult to get consistently high numbers in the ballpark. They still have well-attended series’, when folks from out of town make vacation plans to take in a Cardinals, Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees series, etc. But they need to count on those out-of-towners because of the demographics of their fan base. Bottom line is that since the Braves are so reliant on fans traveling a large distance, they really need to be good to get good attendance figures.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 16th, 2009
11:51 am
Nittany Lion,
If you followed baseball you would know that Diaz has not always been a Brave. He came from the Marlins. Before you start throwing pot shots know your facts. Also Anderson is a solid Majot League outfielder not great. While he may be a .290 plus hitter w/ averages of 18 or so homers, 90 plus RBI’s, it still does not make up for his low on base percentage. He was never the “star” of the Angels, nor the face of the franchise. McClouth is obviously not the answer in Centerfield. The trade was a reach.
My comment was in reference to the Braves of the 90’s who actually had star power. Justice, Gant, Grissom,McGriff, Jones, Pendelton, Nixon, Sanders. The teams actually had legitimate threats in the field of play.
This team is field with average players, with average players you get average results. The proof is what you see right now.
F-105 Thunderchief
September 16th, 2009
11:53 am
Hey Jeff, I don’t think you can plagiarize yourself. They’re your words, use them in as many forums as you want. Heck, hang onto it and recycle it in about five years. You think standup comics tell all new jokes in every show?
yall are crazy
September 16th, 2009
11:53 am
It’s this simple: We don’t want to spend a lot of money just to see them lose.
ben
September 16th, 2009
11:54 am
i’ve been really busy these last 2+ years. Far too busy to watch the games, let alone go to the Ted. And parking is a hasell. That doesn’t mean I don’t love this team and listen in when I can.
big don
September 16th, 2009
11:54 am
I am not willing to go and pay all that money and watch a subpar product. That’s saying nothing about eight dollar beers. I’ve got to save for the Falcons and Dawgs season tickets so the Braves get left out. I started getting rejuvinated back in early to mid August only to watch them forget how to field and hit as usual late in the season and drop from contention.
It’s also none of your or any other person’s business how I choose to spend my money. It’s not my responsibility to maintain the Braves even when they suck. Sorry.
submariner
September 16th, 2009
11:55 am
Lowcountry Bulldawg…. Well said.
Toots
September 16th, 2009
11:55 am
I need to add that while the team hasn’t always accomplished what they set out to do, win the ding-dang game, some of the individual performances have been fantastic. Martin Prado and Omar Infante deserve recognition to helping boost the team as a whole. Their defense has been terrific. Matt Diaz, he of the ugliest swing in baseball, has consistently performed at the plate. We’ve seen some fantastic starting pitching, especially from Vazquez, JJ, and Tommy Hanson…Kawakami’s gem vs. Halladay earlier in the season was a clinic.
As to the fans retreating, it reminds me of what Norville Barnes said in The Hudsucker Proxy, “There are times in business when some of the more timid elements in a company will pull back…” (And then he gets punched in the nose, so maybe this isn’t as good an allegory as I was proposing…)
F-105 Thunderchief
September 16th, 2009
11:55 am
By the way, I recycled that last line. I think it’s a great analogy.
Don
September 16th, 2009
11:57 am
Wren made some great moves – but then threw it all away by keeping Bobby Cox. Considering all of Cox’s blunders this year, do you honestly feel that he has not caused enough losses to have kept us in contention. He has made blunder after blunder in actions or lack thereof – to say nothing of the his most significant problem – above all (as always) he has not taught/ emphasized/ demanded working the count, being selective, making the opposing pitcher throw a lot of pitches – which has guranteed inconsistant run production. The advantages of this are obvious – seeing what the pitcher has, adjusting to the pitcher, getting better pitches to hit, making him make mistakes, tireing the pitcher out both within innings and for the game, getting into the teams weak middle relief etc. etc. One advatage, Braves fans won’t have to worry about next season very long – as soon as they announce the re-signing of Cox – it is over.
gkash
September 16th, 2009
11:58 am
I have a piece of a season ticket and plan to go Sunday’s game. I think the team is improved from last year. They certainly have good starting piching. They need some more power in the lineup and possibly some speed. Relief pitching could be better, but Bobby has simply worn out the bull pen.It’s time to groom a successor for Chipper. He’s been great but age is starting to catch up with him, as it does with all of us. Perhaps Atlanta is not the greatest sports town, but the team has been pretty inconsistent this year. Build a winner and more people will come.I just wish it didn’t have to be on MARTA. I am disgusted by the fact that there is no MARTA stop at the Ted and I hate that they force us to walk through Underground to get to the bus. Underfroung shoud be bulldozed or perhaps converted into a residential area for Atlanta’s homeless.
submariner
September 16th, 2009
11:58 am
There’s something seriously wrong with the fan base in ATL when there are more Cubs fans in the seats when they come to town. That means that the traditional excuses for fans not coming out are BS. Lowcounry Bulldawg put it best… “This team is fielded with average players, with average players you get average results. The proof is what you see right now.”
JG
September 16th, 2009
11:59 am
Over the past dozen years or so all you read about is how professionally the Braves are run by Bobby Cox. It might be great for players but it equates to a boring culture for the fans. The product on the field is mediocre and bland. Bobby’s insistence on an offense focused on 3 run home runs without a top notice slugging team makes for some very non compelling innings. When is the last time the Braves got into a good old fashioned brawl with another team like the Yankees and Blue Jays did last night? I get tired of watching Bobby get kicked out of games as it is nothing but predicable. A call goes against the Braves and off he goes. It reminds me of Thanksgiving when my grandfather used to drink to much. Funny after the fact but just about awkward during the routine.
bruce
September 16th, 2009
12:00 pm
From Northern VA, I will probably go to the series in Washington regardless of standings/hope for playoffs. I might travel to NY for games next week if they show strong results for rest of Mets and beat the Phillies.
Maybe also the AJC has some culpability on attendance last night and for this series unless the Braves sweep… seems that column inches and headlines have been cut back since the Reds series as David and Carroll do not have to produce multiple columns per day and Carrol even entitled her blog on Sept 6 “Back Page Blues”… so the editorial staff of the AJC gave up too.
F-105 Thunderchief
September 16th, 2009
12:02 pm
Lowcountry makes a legitimate point about talent level, which he, like many bloggers, exaggerates. They are neither as good, nor as bad as most of the opinions offered here.
cricket
September 16th, 2009
12:03 pm
I’m in tampa, still watching on extra innings.
bruce
September 16th, 2009
12:04 pm
And maybe the content of the sports columnists are occasionally negative on the Braves prospects for success… you, Jeff seem that way and proud of it to me much more so than Mark. Pride in expressing negative thoughts about players and team prospects which discourage fans might make for interesting headlines, but the bottom line is you are a discourager.
SRF
September 16th, 2009
12:05 pm
I have been to some games this year and each time they got creamed by the opponent and there was
a rain delay as well. So I am not thinking that I am much of a good luck charm.
Now that they are the Bad News Braves again, I would look for less and less attendance, even next
year. Until they have that big game excitement back, it is not worth a trek to the ted.
If the train went there I think it would motivate me to go to more games.
bravofan
September 16th, 2009
12:05 pm
Schultz to go to the game costs money and thats not somthing we just have laying around I don’t know about you. plus the team is mediocore and is not a playoff team and kids are in school so give parents a break ok layoff!!!!!!!!!!
Dr. Warren
September 16th, 2009
12:06 pm
They are an exasperating team — inconsistent and with no definable character. And keep in mind, the Ted hasn’t drawn well for the past decade, even though six of those teams made the playoffs. The franchise needs to break from the past by realizing the period of “consistent goodness” is over and looking towards a new identity. Meaning, new manager, first of all, as great as Bobby has been, and a new more exciting brand of baseball featuring more power and more aggressive play.
rich
September 16th, 2009
12:07 pm
Why go to the trouble and expense of going downtown when the games are on TV??
bruce
September 16th, 2009
12:07 pm
But i am still watching on TV and will keep on because I am a fan…. even more satisified now that ROKU offers MLB premium subscribers the ability to watch either home or away broadcast from the MLB.com website over wireless at home and I no longer have to tolerate that COX CABLE in Fairfax does not offer Peachtree broadcasts. I will probably drop COX CABLEMLB TV for next year if the ROKU-MLB relationship continues.
Poorboy
September 16th, 2009
12:09 pm
It is just to far for me to travel, even though I would like to attend some games. The ticket prices are way to expensive and do not come with a parking place which shoul be required by law. I have never attended a game at the new stadium although my wife and her sisters have. I used to come to Atlanta several times each year for Friday, Saturday and Sunday games, but Motel, Gasoline and food prices shot up and priced me out of doing that now. Quit paying players for what you think they will do and begin to pay them for what they did last year one year at a time. No long term contract.
Mike Lum
September 16th, 2009
12:10 pm
The fans never forgave the Braves when they took down Chief Knockahoma’s tee pee.
not a doctor
September 16th, 2009
12:10 pm
I have been a braves fan since they came to atlanta . . . watch most of the games on tv, and i would love to go to games, but dude, they’re in atlanta.
TommyP
September 16th, 2009
12:11 pm
Jeff: First off, when is the last time you BOUGHT a ticket to a Braves game? Just asking.
Second: As soon as the Braves quit going to the playoffs AND lost some marquee names (McGriff, Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz), the draw wasn’t as strong.
Third: The Braves do not play exciting baseball. Watching 1-0 ballgames might excite the purist (i.e. 79 year old leaning back in his easy chair with a scotch) but it doesn’t excite the masses. (or younger fan)
The Braves of the early ’90s were absolutely exciting. You had to tune in next ’cause you never knew what you were going to see. Deion at first working the pitcher on the basepaths, Otis flying around center and climbing walls, Ron Gant’s infectious enthusiasm, David Justice’s beautiful swing…… There were others but it’s long gone.
Bring some offense, some speed, some enthusiasm to the ballpark….
Ask yourself this, Jeff? Who wants to come to the ballpark and watch a passionless team play out the string? (’bout 8,000 people)
Sweet Home Alabama
September 16th, 2009
12:12 pm
I broke a fingernail and could not make it.Too bad we have players like this.
EEA
September 16th, 2009
12:15 pm
a couple of years ago, we bought partial season tickets. The Braves lost every game we attended. Needless to say, for the sake of the Braves, we did not continue our partial season ticket purchase.
That being said, ticket prices are decent, so if MARTA ran to the Ted, we’d be in attendance alot more than we are now.
On a side note, when we lived in Texas, we attended way too many Rangers games. One reason: the accessibility of the players. I have more autographs and photos from the Rangers than any other team. I love the fact that they would take the time before games to visit with fans.
I think if the Braves even remotely considered that, attendance would come up a bit.
Yaz
September 16th, 2009
12:17 pm
Last year was the only truly horrendous year they’ve had in a while, yet the attendance difference is negligible for the past 7 yrs. I just think the Atlanta public has tuned this team out, and only leading the division or wild-card or maybe only a deep playoff run will get them back. As an Aussie who has come over here to watch them play its very disappointing.
Caz
September 16th, 2009
12:19 pm
The team is slightly above average, and if they had a consistent offense then we wouldn’t be in the position of ‘almost able’ to make the playoffs. The moves being made and player call-ups are trending in the right direction; if a couple run-producing bats are acquired in the off-season then we all have reason for optimism next year.
I’ve been to many games this year and will go to a couple more, most likely against the Phillies and then the last home series against the Nationals.
But I think the comments by Brian said it best – our fan base is just too spread out to consistently draw our loyal supporters to games, so the marketing people at the Ted have to constantly try and find ways to woo the transient population and the casual supporters to the ballpark. This year it was all about the Red Sux and Yankees coming to town – I’m curious what their strategy will be next year without either of those two on the schedule.
And not to be nit-picky, but Matt Diaz came to us from Kansas City, and was with Tampa before that…
Daniel
September 16th, 2009
12:20 pm
I have to concur with a few of the other commenters above me.
I live in Huntsville, Alabama. A drive to Atlanta usually takes me around four hours, either through Chattanooga or Birmingham. So either I can take my pick of spending most of the day in the car through some of the worst traffic in the country, or schilling out for an overpriced downtown hotel that probably is considering surcharges for you to even go to the bathroom.
I have nothing whatsoever against the team or the ballpark experience. The team has improved tremendously this year, and I always have a great time at the park. It’s the other factors that the Braves or the organization can’t control that keep me away. I’ve been to the park for three games this year, and considering the hassle that I have to go through to make that happen, I think that’s quite a few.
attending fan
September 16th, 2009
12:21 pm
i was there, it was quite empty.
i’ve been going to home games all season & what i don’t understand is why turner field seems to be punishing game-day-ticket-buyers by increasing the purchase price of tickets?! seriously? if you buy a ticket the day of THE PRICE GOES UP!!!! sounds a bit backwards for a team trying to attract more fans….
linzo
September 16th, 2009
12:21 pm
Why doesn’t anyone ever talk about Turner Field’s surroundings? I live in Grant Park, but I’m scared to walk home after the game. Who owns that row of empty buildings just east of the Ted? It’s awful. Shouldn’t the Braves invest a little in the areas outside the gates of TF?
dark30
September 16th, 2009
12:22 pm
There is no compelling reason to go to a game now. The season is over, despite this nice streak of wins – unfortunately at a time when they don’t matter.
Unfortunately, the Braves also have a reputation as being chokers when it counts. Something always seemed to go wrong in the postseason, or now during this tease of a playoff run. The fans have come to expect it. There’s something wrong in the DNA of this organization, and it’s going to take someone with a much larger salary than me to figure it out.
By the way, as much as Atlanta fans are raked over the coals, how about the Florida Marlins fans? Like the Expos of yore, the Marlins always seem to play before nearly empty stadiums, despite all their success and being an entertaining team to watch.
Also, everyone is leaving out another reason for dropping attendance – there are a significant amount of people disgusted with baseball in general (obscene salaries, steroids, strikes, etc.). These folks probably don’t follow the Braves forums, but I’ve spoken with many who walked away after the last strike and never returned.