Maybe it is the economy, Stupid?
The last time the Rays gave away free tickets, the Trop sold out. Then last night, all it took was almost-free $2 kids tickets to get 25,095 paid butts-in-seats.
It was enough to lift the team's season average to 17,916 and out of the MLB cellar.
For what it's worth, reader Mike M. said he hoped last night's crowd would at least reach 25k (mission accomplished), while reader B. Dufala didn't think lower ticket prices would make a difference.
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Reading the comments on the final linked article and complaints about the "high cost" of a Rays game brings to mind something else I've noticed since moving down here (and it might be the elephant in the room) and that is -- with all due respect -- people down here are cheap. Seriously cheap. They expect something for nothing, two for one beers, free appetizers, early bird specials. They don't want higher taxes (though Florida's are among the lowest in the nation) and they don't want any highfalutin' high-speed rail. The low cost of living is one of the reasons people move here. I don't see it changing any time soon.
ReplyDeleteIts all those low income dirt bag st.pete residents!!!! All they is hold that lease over the Rays head and obstruct progress. What a crappy city to put a ballpatk in.
ReplyDelete"people down here are cheap"...People down here are frome everywhere else, much like yourself. Most people have left their union run, overpriced, overtaxed cities to move here.....The problem is people think it's normal in cities like NY or Chicago to be taken advantage of regarding pricing. That should not be the case.
ReplyDeleteDid I mention that I don't see it changing anytime soon?
ReplyDeleteAmazing! A huge percentage of wager earners in Florida are considered below the poverty level yet some people describe them as "cheap" because they don't have the disposable income that others have? What the hell is wrong with people?
ReplyDeleteThe problem is people think it's normal in Florida to be taken advantage of regarding wages. It often happens in so-called "Right to Work" states where cheap labor is prized above all. You'd like to think that should not be the case. Alas . . .
DeleteUnions drive prices up and force employers to look elsewhere. It's worked wonders for Detroit. At least they have a new stadium though. NY, Illinois, Detroit, et al., are wonderful examples of union-socialist utopia..
DeleteMaybe you missed it, but corporate America has been doing just fine. Stock market hit record highs today. The rich got richer. Keep defending them, though, and working for their slave wages. I understand there are even a few chickens who would vote for KFC.
DeleteLOL, I know you like to misinform your readers, but this one might take the cake for me. I NEVER wrote that "I didn't think lower tix price would make a difference", I simply rebutted YOUR article about how a family was upset they spent $300 to go to a game. I stated that the same family can go to a game @ the Trop for only $50-$60 including gas, food, parking, and tix!
ReplyDeleteAnd though it's weird to read a positive article coming from you, I know with (you being a Red Sox fan), you couldn't help throw in a low-blow about the overall attendance. Which is all the reason why I can't wait when the Rays use your tax dollars to build a stadium downtown Tampa, and I hope it makes you sick (lol)...
I'm sorry for debunking your real motives of always downing anything progressive with the Rays because of your love of the Red Sox, it's just a shame that you've pulled the wool over everyone else's eyes. I have a good friend from Boston, and you're all the same, 5 foot 7 inch smart alecs, and maybe this stereotype isn't you, but I do think your readers deserve better reporting then simply finding any article that backs your belief to discredit the Rays's future, and add a few words of your own with it. Though maybe those who throw stones shouldn't live in a glass house, http://www.fieldofschemes.com/news/archives/2012/01/4775_exred_sox_pr_fl.html
DeleteAgain, you can try to derail the Rays future plans, but bottom line is Tampa WILL profit from an investment if need be for a stadium, and until you prove other wise, root for your Red Sox, and be mad when we win the AL East!
Yeah, why bother investing in things like schools, police, fire protection, utilities, parks and rec, public transport, airport and power plant upgrades, etc etc, when we can just plunk down half a billion dollars into a baseball stadium instead?
DeleteI think you'll find that a pretty large segment of Tampa/Hillsborough's population is at least weary of pouring tax dollars into a new ballpark as well.
But by all means, please, don't let facts, stats, past experience, and public sentiment get in the way of your conspiracy-mongering narrative...