Fans Speak Out
For several years, the Arizona Republic lazily assumed that lethargic Diamondbacks' attendance resulted primarily from subpar on field performance. So when the team catapulted into first place in mid August, and fans still didnt come, the paper (a partner of the ballclub) finally got around to polling our supposedly passive fan base about their collective absence. And they got an earful.
If nothing else, it illuminates how conflicted recent local baseball allegiances have become. It's a pity, really, and we hold the new owners largely responsible. Our remarks can be found on page 8 of the copious comments.
The volume of response gives the lie to the argument that the people of Phoenix are disinterested in the ball club.From a personal point of view I am not offended by things like uniform change or the treatment of Gonzo (things like that are par for the course over here)but the cost of games seems to be prohibitive.For example,myself and my wife were in Phoenix earlier in the year and normally go to all the games the D-Backs are playing whilst we are there.This year we missed a game because we couldn't justify paying about $100 for one evening (if you include parking etc). No commercial organisation ever succeeded by blaming it's customers for not buying it's product,maybe the D-Backs are the "New Coke" of MLB.
http://arizonaviaslough.mlblogs.com/
Report any abuse or spam
What's interesting is to wonder what they're going to do this offseason. You'd like to think they will finally listen to fans and cut all prices in half, but I don't think that will happen, especially when there are ads on the website ordering fans to "lock in 2008 season tickets for 2007 prices." The team is announcing another price hike. However, after another overwhelming 'anti-new owners' solicitation by the Republic, I can see some prices being lowered. Expect JUST some tickets to be lowered. Concessions will NOT be changed. That's where they make a lot of money, so expect those to stay (if not, rise slightly) while ticket prices will fall slightly just to fool fans that they APPEAR to be paying less for a ballgame. Parking prices will not change either, and I really think they still won't change back the colors even though Republic polls have shown 82-95% of the fans prefer purple.
Summary: Expect more *********. They will make it APPEAR that prices are down, but in some way they'll squeeze just as much money out of the fans. For example, those "fees" that have to be paid essentially for every purchase of single game tickets will probably be raised. All this to pay for a team STILL in debt... owing money to players like Russ Ortiz, Shawn Green, and Javier Vazquez who Jerry Colangelo recklessly... oh wait, those are Kendrick's players.
Report any abuse or spam
I think that the new nickname for Mark Reynolds should be "The bus ridder":)
Report any abuse or spam
As a Cub fan, I can second the notion that there is no justification for shelling out a boatload of money to go to a ballgame. It costs $42 to sit in the bleachers at Wrigley. $42! There is a reason that Major League players are making money hand over fist, as well as the owners. The D'Backs have something with the $1 seats though. Peace!
http://cubfanjimmy.mlblogs.com
Report any abuse or spam
"No commercial organisation ever succeeded by blaming it's customers for not buying it's product."
Well said, Russell. Didnt realize that you frequented Chase Field, or had a "real" wife, for that matter :-)
James,
I appreciate the solidarity from a Cubs fan, whose ticket costs are way higher than ours. Thx for visiting.
Report any abuse or spam
$42?? And I grouse about $18-27 in San Francisco!
The price of fame, I guess. Didn't someone write a play about "The Bleacher Bums"?
ByrnesBlogger1
Report any abuse or spam
How about "the Threat" as a new name for Mark?
Report any abuse or spam