 |
| Monongalia County Ballpark - June 19, 2019 |
But the excitement generated in their first season in Granville seems to be over. Attendance has been declining since the team relocated from Jamestown, New York (see chart below). Although it is still early in the 2019 season, average attendance has declined each year since 2015 from a high of 2,265 that season to a low of 1,625 thru 8 home games in 2019.
Average attendance at WV Black Bears home games by year:
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
2019
|
2,265
|
2,188
|
2,029
|
1,827
|
1,625
|
As a season ticket holder since minor league baseball arrived, I have witnessed a decline in interest in the Black Bears. Personally, I believe they provide an excellent value for family friendly entertainment during the summer months in the Morgantown area.
However, their promotions have become very predictable and there isn’t much new in the way of creating community interest in the team. Fans don't have the same enthusiasm as previous seasons. Early season attendance figures support this view. You only have to look at the lack of advertising on the outfield fence to conclude that businesses in the community are spending their advertising dollars in other places.
To their credit, the Black Bears will have two bobblehead promotions this season on July 11 and August 8. Once again, they will have the West Virginia Moonshiners series July 23-25. This seems to be a successful promotion based on the number of fans wearing moonshiner hats and tee shirts. They will also have several jersey auction nights, featuring themed jerseys that will be auctioned during games on June 15, 22, and 29, and August 8.
Unfortunately, their promotions are just more of the same from previous seasons. Time will tell, but based on early season attendance figures, community interest in the Black Bears is in decline. Only Batavia and Auburn have lower attendance figures so far this season.
I’ll be following attendance figures throughout the 2019 season and post about the topic from time to time. In the meantime, please support a New York-Penn League located near you.
See you at the ballpark!
Photo Credit: NY-Penn League News and History
NY-Penn League News and History is not affiliated in any way with Minor League Baseball, the New York-Penn League, or any of its teams
I talked to a team exec recently who said the business is not about baseball so much as “creating memorable experiences.” MiLB has the distinct advantage attracting both baseball purists, who follow young talent, as well as the value-conscious individuals and family in search of some summer enjoyment. All MiLB teams offer this, but those that draw fans distinguish themselves in their offerings.
ReplyDelete