As a segue from the Phillies getting the extra three games at CBP where supposedly the crowd is going to provide an advantage, let’s discuss home field advantage. I don’t think crowd noise is a big deal at all, and I think the visiting team can benefit from it as well. Still it’s nice to have your crowd into the game. Or at the game. Did the crowd help the Mets get that six run rally on Tuesday night?
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Another shot of the stands in the bottom of the 8th.
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Cheap or expensive seats, much the same.
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Not that the game was much fuller during the first inning. Announced attendance was 31k. I guessed 23k in attendance, but I’m still getting a feel for that at Citi, and it’s hard when they don’t announce the actual turnstile attendance.
Now, to be fair, we were plenty loud in the bottom of the 8th. That’s to be expected however, when it’s mostly only the die hards left. During the early innings of the game I was able to have a conversation with my friend sitting two seats over at a normal voice like I was sitting at the dinner table. I fielded a phone call from my fiance in the third inning and she literally asked “Are you at the game?” even though she knew I was going. (She called again during the 8th inning, but it was actually impossible to have a conversation and I called her back later) I listened and watched the video highlights when I got home, and we certainly sounded loud at that point.Â
If this hadn’t been common all season, I wouldn’t even remark on low attendance during a chilly weekday series against the Nationals, but this seemed empty even for that. I know the fans were down on the Mets during the offseason, but they aren’t playing 2009 baseball and haven’t in weeks. They’re an above .500 team and there are plenty of things to enjoy about watching this team, whether or not you think they’re going to win it all. So why is no one showing up? It’s not the prices. The Promenade level this week and the cost to go to the game isn’t much different than it was any time over the last couple of years.Â
I think the attendance will rise again in the summer, once it’s warmer and the team is still playing well. Especially if they’re playing really well, but it’s depressing to see the stands so empty. Come out and support your team! They’re worth your time!
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8 comments
metsfan4decades
5/13/2010-9:05am at 9:05 am (UTC -4)
LOL – if that’s a picture of a ‘crowd’ what do we call it when all those seats are filled?
gategem
5/13/2010-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
For the vast majority of people baseball is strictly entertainment. When you live in NYC there is a veritable smorgasbord of entertainment to choose from. With so many attractions competing for your entertainment dollar, including the cross-town rivals that are probably going to win their 28th WS (and I know their attendance is slightly down from last year but they are still in competition with the Mets for the casual fan) and this being a tough economic climate the Mets will have to distinguish themselves to draw more than the diehard fan.
ceetar
5/13/2010-12:12pm at 12:12 pm (UTC -4)
I’m sure there is plenty of that, but the Yankees aren’t home at the same time, so the casual fan that just wants to go a baseball game? Especially given that the Mets are cheaper. (offtopic, I noticed the highest prices Yankees ticket is now only ~$300 compared to $2500 last year)
Mr North Jersey
5/13/2010-12:15pm at 12:15 pm (UTC -4)
Off Topic:
Here are some numbers for your amusement.
The Mets record before their 8 game winning streak was
6-9 – 3 games below .500
The Mets record after their 8 game winning streak is
4-7 – 3 games below .500
I guess we are due for another 8 game winning streak right?
stickguy
5/13/2010-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
right after they go 2-2 to get up to 6-9
Mr North Jersey
5/13/2010-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
lol
stickguy
5/13/2010-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
early season weeknight games on a schllo night were always sparsely attended at Shea too. And given how crappy the weather was ths week, not really a surprise it was thin. ANd I am sure, considering how tht game dragged on, and the score, it was really thinned out after the 7th
Keep over .500 and somewhat in the race for another month, and once school lets out and the weather heats up, the crowds will look much better.
But, they will always have a problem with the high prices keeping attendance down. Probably an intentional decision (when the set the ticket prices), and likely why they made the place so much smaller.
ceetar
5/13/2010-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, and I’ve been to plenty of those weeknight games at Shea. It just felt so empty, and the prices are roughly the same now as then for the cheap seats taht were still available.
yeah, it was quite empty late. It’s been a theme though, and it just felt worse than it should be for a random may game.