Everything but the game
Reds stink, but the giveaways were nice and the weather was great... they draw 102,000 for 3 against the bad Phils on the weekend, bolstering the notion that baseball is no longer about the game. It's about the event. That's why the team's marketing generals have (wisely) begun to emphasize peripherals, i.e. "the ballpark experience'' -- fake-dirt T-shirts, blankets, the ubiquitous bobbers, happy hour etc. -- rather than the game itself. Not sure when the game became secondary -- probably after the '94 strike -- but it's firmly in 2nd place around here now...
posted by Paul Daugherty at 6:59 AM
7 Comments:
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SolarAl said...
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JamesMaupin said...
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Post a Comment*I'm not so sure it's in second place around here. Sure the Bengals sell-out for the season, but remember it's only eight games, and I've never been to something that is more of an "event" then the game.
I have friends who consider themselves to be rabid Bengals fans. These are the same "fans" who are drunk two hours before kickoff.
Without the tailgating, Bengals games wouldn't be as popular.
If the Reds played 8 games a year at GAPB, you'd see the same enthusiasm as you see for the Bengals. Probably more so. But it's hard to sustain that for 81 games. The Cubs do, somehow, but I guess people in Cincinnati have jobs and such to worry about and can't go to 65 day games and get wasted.
I hate that the game is being shoved into the background. I went to a Cavs game this year (I think I'm one of the few that still likes NBA basketball), and they play music while the game is being played. I thought that was ridiculous. I hope baseball never goes that way, where the game isn't as important as all the things they throw into the stands or the music played over the loud speaker or the cheerleaders or the kiss cam. But, then again, people, not just children, already come out in droves for frickin bobbleheads. Why would they care about the game when they could get a plastic figurine who's head jiggles?
First of all. I would like to say how much I enjoy you on WLW now. Your doing a great job. I agree with you there is something wrong with this organazation. I have been a fan since 1974 and have seen the great and not so great. But I always looked forward to going to see the Reds play. But something has changed since the move into GABP. Although it's a great ballpark. The aura is not there like the other one. 6 STRAIGHT LOSING SEASONS will do that. Did you know this is the worst losing streak since the 30's? This teams owners need to either sell out to someone who does care, cause it's becoming obvious this regime doesn't give a damn about winning!
I love baseball, but.....it doesn't come close to capturing the emotional energy that NFL football does. Just my opinion.
Here's a great poll question:
What would thrill you more?
Bengals win Super Bowl
Reds win World Series
Lay the issue to rest as to what is in second place in Cincinnati.
Judging from the attendance Sunday, they would have drawn another 10M had they won Saturday. And if they do as bad on the road as they did at home - it will be a 20M average when they return. But looking on the bright side, people will be giving away tickets.
Still too early to panic - but you can see a pattern developing (loose defense, poor hitting w/RISP and occasional meltdown of the bulpen...wasting a lot of good starting pitching. Could we put Milton in the pen, bring up Bailey or Dumatrait and Livingston?
When the weather gets nice, you need to do better than break even at home to bring the fans in - at least ones paying for a ticket.
I agree completely with solaral. If the Reds had gotten a couple more hits and at least made the game interesting on Saturday, more people would have came back on Sunday.
I go to Ohio University and came back this past weekend just for the Reds games. I went to all three and loved the blanket (that I got BP to sign) and wished I had gotten a shirt. I think people are seeking more value for their money and giveaways do that until we are winning. Once we start winning people won't buy tickets for the bobble heads.
I would LOVE a World Series title before a Super Bowl victory. Baseball has so much love during the season. Football is all anticipation, six days of talk and 3 hours of action. Sure I love the Bengals but give me 162 games that will decide who is the best. Nothing better.
I like the term "wisely" in defining the marketing for the Reds. When in that business, you have to exploit peoples' interests to get them to purchase your product, and giveaways at the ballpark keep people coming.
Just like the high prices at the gift shop. They would come down if they didn't sell anything. Why lower the price if they continue to sell at that high price? Same for concessions, and parking...
Baseball, in terms of fans coming to games, is sadly in second place here. When have the Bengals ever handed out Chad Johnson bobbleheads to get people to come watch the game?
I do have to say, however, that I think fans are more loyal for the baseball team. I just think that more people follow the Reds from home than at the ballpark.
Which begs the question: If the Reds had to win one game for a spot in the playoffs and at the same time, the Bengals would play next door, who would be watched more that day?
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