Rays still not drawing despite record, Yankees

ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays finished Tuesday with the best record in the American League, a six-game winning streak and the best winning percentage in the team's 11-year history.

That kind of performance would ordinarily help the team's campaign for a new stadium, except for these facts: Through a quarter of the baseball season, the Rays rank 13th out of 14 American League teams in attendance. In all of baseball, the Rays rank 27th out of 30th.

Even the New York Yankees, traditionally one of the top draws on the Rays' schedule, didn't help. The Rays drew just 13,932 fans for Monday's four-game opener, the smallest crowd in Major League Baseball that day.

"We're certainly not happy about being at the bottom of the league in attendance," Rays president Matt Silverman said. "Everyone in the organization wants to see packed stands. And the players will tell you it makes a difference on the field."

People always believed that if the Rays won, fans would flock to Tropicana Field.

Do people now need to be convinced that winning isn't a fluke? Or are they waiting until school's over? Or until gas prices fall?

"You can probably go crazy trying to dissect the numbers," Silverman said, recognizing there are at least a dozen factors that could determine attendance. "We're just focusing on what we can control: making the Trop a great environment for the team and making it a great place for fans to watch the game."

This week, Rays manager Joe Maddon called recent attendance "a little disappointing."

The team's problems attracting fans are well documented. The Rays finished last in American League attendance the past seven seasons. The team's best year at the gate was its first, when the Rays were seventh out of 14 American League teams — still drawing 1.1-million fewer fans than their fellow expansion franchise, the Arizona Diamondbacks.

This year, average attendance is up from 17,131 to 18,344, but only the Kansas City Royals are drawing fewer fans among American League clubs.

People blame the team's record, or previous owner Vince Naimoli. Both no doubt are part of it, even the Rays admit.

But the Rays suggest that maybe a new, $450-million downtown waterfront stadium will boost attendance by drawing the casual fan.

"We think some of the negativity associated with the Trop is unfair," said Rays senior vice president Michael Kalt. "But at the end of the day, it's just about watching the baseball game. It's hard to get to that base of people who aren't baseball fans but go to games because they see it as a social activity."

Comments on this article

by DT	May 14, 2008 11:59 AM
A 20% increase isn't much? How are the TV ratings-numbers,Times "reporters"? What is your agenda, here? Why isn't this on the SPORTS page? I'll wager TV ratings ARE up...Yankees fans are "front runners" who don't show when they're not in 1st place!

by JeffC	May 14, 2008 10:28 AM
I researched online last night and see that the Devil Rays (as they were then named) drew over 2 million to the Trop their first year (25,000avg). I'd be happy with 20,000 average. (1.6 Mil)

by JeffC	May 14, 2008 10:27 AM
Personally, I've been to 6 games already, but weekdays are tough for me with my work schedule. I will be there for the Sat/Sun games against Baltimore in a few days. GO RAYS!!

by Robert	May 14, 2008 10:27 AM
Building a new stadium will reduce attendance, not increase it. I, for one, will not support a team that continues to be such a draw on government resources which are paid for with my taxes.

by Brenda	May 14, 2008 10:25 AM
I was at the game last night and WOW. It was a great experience. I'm a NYY fan but it was pretty electric in there even with the small numbers. A Tues game is a hard sell no matter who is playing and remember Yanks aren't that great this year.

by rocco	May 14, 2008 10:24 AM
can't wait to get down there in july.red sox nation will fill that place up.

by Dave	May 14, 2008 10:24 AM
Where are the fans? They're in a log jam trying to park at that dump. I went Sat night and took over an hour to find a ten dollar spot next to a trailer blocks away from the stadium. I will not be back.

by Mark	May 14, 2008 10:24 AM
Maybe people resent the idea of having their tax money given over to millionaires so that they can increase their fortunes with a new stadium.

by Joe	May 14, 2008 10:24 AM
I went to 20 or more games last year and loved the Trop. Just can't afford to go right now. Do they realize how much peanuts and cracker jacks cost, let alone Brews!!!! Still love the Rays

by Ray	May 14, 2008 10:24 AM
Baseball perenially has started out slow with attendance until the school year ends, and summer starts each and every year. Being in first place is incredible, and my family will be attending quite a few games starting in a couple of weeks...

by Jojo	May 14, 2008 10:24 AM
Lower prices? To what, free? A ticket to a game costs $9. You can bring your own food. For your $, there is no better value in the bay. Yeah, gas is high. It won't ever be cheap again so you're never going to leave your house again & have fun?

by Lou	May 14, 2008 10:24 AM
Give the fans time. I've loved the Rays since 1998, however it takes time to build a substantial fan base after 10 yrs of losing and only 1.5 months of winning. Only loyal nuts like me suffered for 10 years for this sweet reward in 2008.

by CEW	May 14, 2008 10:23 AM
We are in a recession. People do not have discretionary income to go to the game with their families. Especially if they have to commute. Understand that restaurants are closing, jobs are being lost. The Rays are great but it's the economy!!!

by James Gawlowicz	May 14, 2008 10:23 AM
The Rays have the best value in baseball, I don't expect them to lower their prices. Still, I took my sons to Monday's game and it cost me almost $150 by the end of the night. With the economy the way it is, it's just getting tough.

by bob	May 14, 2008 10:23 AM
There is no support for baseball, or the new stadium. The first stadium was tricked upon us by changing the city charter disallowing the vote by the people. This stadium referendum will fail in Nov.

by nzjunky	May 14, 2008 10:23 AM
I live in E. Hillsborough County. The stadium is too far, and it's located in an economically disadvantaged area. BRING THE TEAM TO TAMPA! You'll see sports fans show up then.

by Sal	May 14, 2008 10:23 AM
Joe Maddon should just sit tight.Fans will come around...in this economy it is HARD to justify splurg.Plus,NO ONE goes to games against the YANKEEs because NO ONE likes to be around their obnoxious fans!! Even season ticket holders STAY HOME!

by john	May 14, 2008 10:23 AM
The lack of a draw has everything to do with the economy. I am surprised it has to be pointed out.

by Steve	May 14, 2008 10:23 AM
The new stadium will draw even less. It will be too freaking hot to sit outside under a sail in the summer. What are you all thinking? Try going to Warped tour this summer which is in Vinoy park, tell me that is comfortable in the shade. Morons!

by jb	May 14, 2008 10:22 AM
I'll tell you where I'm at,and its not at some boring baseball game.Build a new non-a/c stadium,even less will come.The Rays need to find a new home,(outside of Pinellas County).

by Rick	May 14, 2008 10:22 AM
I am very excited for the rays, and excited about their young team. But anyone who lives in Tampa and if you drive anywhere near I-4 and the gandy Bridge or I-275 on a weekday evening going south to St. Pete understands why there are few fans there!

by JM	May 14, 2008 10:22 AM
All sports is too expensive for the average person.The cost of fuel,cost to park and the cost of food and drink at the event.But i guess it helps to pay the outrageous salaries of the players.

by Clifford	May 14, 2008 10:22 AM
A fan must look up to the suites and wonder why 40% of them are dark at each game. One hour after the game starts, the Rays should be have a promotion to give vacant seats away for 2$. That might fill some seats.

by JeffC	May 14, 2008 10:07 AM
Personally, I've been to 6 games already, but weekdays are tough for me with my work schedule. I will be there for the Sat/Sun games against Baltimore in a few days. GO RAYS!!

by ed	May 14, 2008 10:06 AM
we love the rays...others are right. too many high costs right now

by Tony G	May 14, 2008 10:06 AM
You can't discount the price of attendance. A good seat to the Bucs is $90, the Rays $55, but their are 5 times the number of games in baseball. We can afford only a handful of games.

by bob	May 14, 2008 10:02 AM
I have not been to a Rays game in 8 yrs.. Baseball is boring, slow, tedious. That is why attendance is low. I will vote no. I hope the referendum fails.

by JeffC	May 14, 2008 9:59 AM
Hey Pop, how low do prices need to be for you to attend a game? An upper deck seat is only $9 for a non prime game, and the Rays have the most affordable prices in all of MLB!!

by Matt	May 14, 2008 9:59 AM
I'd go but I'm in Iraq!

by Scott	May 14, 2008 9:57 AM
Drop the $2 add-on for "day of game" tickets and cut your parking prices in half and people will come to the games.

by Sween	May 14, 2008 9:57 AM
Costs too much, owners are greedy, don't support manipulators and liars. New stadium would ruin waterfront. I have a choice on how to spend my time and my money.

by Don	May 14, 2008 2:12 AM
Personally I think the Trop is a great place to watch a game. Currently though, I just can't afford to go to games and it's not even the tix. Too many other costs are skyrocketing completely eliminating any discretionary income I once had.

by Tony	May 14, 2008 2:12 AM
The Marlins didn't start drawing until the end of the summer during their championship years. Also, in these lean times fans are making touch choices. Gas for their cars to get to work or tickets for a game. What is your priority?

by Brad	May 14, 2008 2:12 AM
I have to wonder if the fans (if they can be called that) that are opposed to the waterfront stadium are choosing not to go right now so that they can use low attendance as a reason to not build the new stadium.

by pop	May 14, 2008 2:11 AM
winning a few games is not going to bring the fans If they lower the prices they would have a better chance of getting more fans I for 1 can not afford the prices. wake up rays lower your prices