Well, year 2 of my season ticket holding has come and gone. Each year I talk about what I liked and disliked as a fan, and 2009 had a lot to like…well, except all the rainouts. And yeah, I’d have liked a little better team recordwise because they definitely went flat in the latter part of the season. But those are things neither I nor the local Shorebirds management could have done much about.
The staff did its usual good job, although some of those who left were missed. I liked Stefan, the onfield host, and hope he comes back next year. And whoever brought Flavors in to do pizza deserves a big thumbs-up. I liked the idea of using the third story concession stand for specialty items – just rotate the clam strips into the menu more often!
I suppose the Shorebirds were expecting sort of a lean year because they didn’t book any national acts as they had before, relying on fireworks and giveaways as a hook to bring in the fans. While the likes of the Bucket Boys, Myron Noodleman, and similar acts do bring in a few extra fans I think they were wise to skip on most of them this time around. Actually, skipping them for a year would make them a little fresher next time around if they even decide to bring them back – I didn’t miss them for the most part.
To me the giveaways were pretty good. One advantage of being a season ticket holder is that I automatically get each one – so I didn’t have to be there at 4:30 to get a Matt Wieters bobblehead. (I’m sure Wieters will succeed at the big league level, but can’t we get a bobblehead who was actually a Shorebird once upon a time? Maybe Nick Markakis or Brad Bergesen will be next year’s bobblehead.) But there’s even value in the backpack or pillowcase because they’re generally useful items kids like and nice advertising for the co-sponsors. In short, season 15 can be presented like season 14 was but maybe even bigger.
As for “pans”, I actually am going to sound like a broken record because in looking at my 2008 and 2007 “picks and pans” posts I have the many of the same complaints! I sort of hate to keep whining but I may as well be consistent.
Just as a review:
- New scoreboard and videoboard, along with a small alternate scoreboard along the first base line.
- A closed-circuit TV system for the concession stands so we can watch the game while standing in line.
- More player availabilities in the “Bird Pen.”
- Music for the fireworks. Much better selection this year, keep it up!
- No bands on Thirsty Thursday. 93.5 the Beach, who sponsors “Thirsty Thursday”, also has “Local Produce” so that’s an ideal tie-in to pursue.
Obviously the Shorebirds have that $3 parking fee that helped pay for the parking lot improvements. Now that the lot is in good shape maybe that money can go toward addressing complaint #1 or complaint #2.
Most people don’t know that the Shorebirds are part of a group which owns several teams, including a third they purchased last year. The 7th Inning Stretch LLC family includes the Stockton Ports of the California League (a advanced-A team comparable to the Orioles’ Frederick affiliate) and the Everett (Washington) AquaSox of the Northwest League (a short-season rookie league team similar to Aberdeen.) Oddly enough, of the three 7IS affiliates Delmarva had the best attendance – Stockton drew 203,327 for 70 games and Everett drew 89,929 for 38 openings.
The reason I bring this up is to point out a couple stadium-related items. Stockton built a new stadium in 2005, just a couple years after the team was purchased by 7th Inning Stretch, and Everett debuted a new videoboard just this season, months after their late 2008 acquisition. Of the three affiliates, their stadium is the oldest as it was built in 1984.
Considering the story that our videoboard and scoreboard were purchased used when our stadium was built in 1995, methinks it’s our turn to have investment bestowed upon us by the team owners. Perhaps it can be a reward for drawing the most attendance in the smallest area population-wise to draw from.
We can’t do anything about the Eastern Shore weather, but in actual numbers the attendance at Shorebirds games this year was the smallest ever – just under 215,000 – and it’s a far cry from the huge 300,000-plus attendance the team drew in the late 1990’s. With stiff competition for the rapidly-disappearing disposable entertainment spending, the team will need to make more than cosmetic changes or a new “alternate” logo – there was nothing really wrong with the existing one and I prefer that to the new one – to stay viable.
The Delmarva Shorebirds can be the jewel of the 7th Inning Stretch empire – but only if they allow us to.
Oh, one thing I left out last week – an honorable mention for Shorebird of the Year.
Once the big league season concludes at some point I’ll bring up the Shorebird of the Week Hall of Fame.
May I also suggest that the Shorebirds do something about the birds nesting in the pipes over the walkway near the concession stands. Especially early in the season as the birds are nesting, the amount of bird doo was just plain gross, and I should think poses a health hazard. I was plopped on a few times. Doesn’t make for such an enjoyable evening.