Outside of funding the Brown Family Trust, Cincinnati sucks as a sports town right now. I guess the first point validates the second...

 

It's a terrible sports town b/c for 15 years they've had two terrible sports teams. Baseball isn't set up for the Reds or other small markets to succeed and Brown really doesn't want to succeed unless he quits selling tickets.

What do the Red's players do to make people care about them beyond having a playoff years once every 10 years? If I'm not mistaken they take batting practice before the gates are opened so they aren't on the field until game time. Also, unless things have changed because I haven't been since last year, they don't sign autographs and connect with the fans after the game.

As an adult I don't really care but as someone mentioned they've lost a generation of fans so what are they doing to connect and draw the adults of tomorrow?

 

I do remember being younger and wanting to get to the ballpark as early as possible to watch batting practice and try to catch a ball at Riverfront. Do other teams do either of the things you mentioned while playing at home?

Outside of funding the Brown Family Trust, Cincinnati sucks as a sports town right now. I guess the first point validates the second...

 

It's a terrible sports town b/c for 15 years they've had two terrible sports teams. Baseball isn't set up for the Reds or other small markets to succeed and Brown really doesn't want to succeed unless he quits selling tickets.

 

There are certainly a lot of older folk around that are very unhappy with how things went down when building both GABP and PBS. I was a little to young to understand what is going on. But just about three weeks ago I sat around and listen to 3-4 guys in their mid 50's/lower 60's discuss it. Pretty interesting.

I've brought this up in years past and was always told if they started winning, the fans would come.

 

I guess now, its the economy.

 

In five years, it will be something else.

 

Interesting. What's the excuse for Cubs fans showing up religiously for the past 102 years? There's gullibility or stupidity...take your pick.

If the Reds continue to make the right roster moves and are NL Central contenders for the next couple of years, season ticket sales will go up and more people will be in the seats. No one has expected this team to be this good, this early. Ask me again in 2 years.

Let me tell you this. In July, my husband and I took our 5 kids to Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs and Reds. It was a 1:20 game on a Friday afternoon. We advanced purchased 7 seats in the "family section" next to the left field bleachers. Parked downtown and took the Red Line to the game. We got to the game a little early and had lunch (burgers, hot dogs, shared the fries, cokes) and also bought a couple of soft pretzels and two boxes of popcorn. It was very hot that day (the 9 run, one hit debacle that the Reds ended up winning 12-0) and we also bought some bottled water to keep everyone hydrated in the sun. Then we bought the kids ice cream. The total bill for our wonderful day at the ballpark was just under $800! This was the parking, El tickets, seats, food, drinks, etc. This did not count our hotel room, transportation to Chicago, any souvenir purchases, etc.

 

My whole point is that, while I can't explain exactly why Reds fans are not showing up, I know the economy has something to do with it. MLB has made it almost impossible to take a family to the ballpark for the afternoon.

Interesting. What's the excuse for Cubs fans showing up religiously for the past 102 years? There's gullibility or stupidity...take your pick.

I believe the losing culture is part of the experience going to Wrigley. Everyone expects to lose and they embrace it in the form of a party.

I am amazed at any franchise that is winning and not filling the stands.

 

The Rays would be another great example.

 

Yep - just played three against the Yankees and didn't sell any of them out.

If the Reds and Rays make the World Series, the stands might look like the boxing scene in Oceans 11 where they brought in a bunch of dummies, put clothes on them, and filled the stands with them.

 

Reds would sell out a WS game; not sure about the Rays.

 

Who was it years ago that first came up with the famous quote about "thousands of fans disguised as empty seats"?

If the Reds and Rays make the World Series, the stands might look like the boxing scene in Oceans 11 where they brought in a bunch of dummies, put clothes on them, and filled the stands with them.

Reds/Rays World Series would be the Commissioner's worst nightmare.

I'm not sure why there has to be an indictment on the city or it's fans if only 15K show up. Those fans are still watching, and that's where the revenue is anyways. If Castellini can still pay his bills, all is well I suppose.

Reds/Rays World Series would be the Commissioner's worst nightmare.

Because of lack of TV audience. Not lack of folks in the ballpark.

Because of lack of TV audience. Not lack of folks in the ballpark.

Obviously.

Reds have already sold out of playoff tickets for first round, according to what I was told. SRO tickets left.

Obviously.

I know, I called the Captain!! All I'm saying is that I'm not sure why we are up in arms that the park isn't filled to capacity.