It’s a wild contrast, moving from the polite, tolerant mid-western crowds of Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City to the standing-room-only fervency of Boston’s Fenway Park.
One team routinely hovers around first place; the other hasn’t in almost twenty years.
Still, it’s not uncommon to see healthy crowds attending Royals games. Not sellouts, mind you, but attendance figures large enough to belie performance.
Naturally, this had me wondering why. In Kansas City, there are many reasons to go to the ballpark. It might be the tailgate parties or inexpensive tickets. It could be that, even after thirty-five years, Kaufmann Stadium remains one of the most attractive major league venues around. Or, it could be the people there are as much fans of the game as they are of the local nine.
Whatever the reason, their loyal turnout remains impressive. The Royals are banking on the rise of several young prospects like Alex Gordon and Luke Hochevar to, one day, free them from the grip of ineptitude. This remains a long-term project, so ticket-buyers know the moment they find their seat on opening day they’re observing a team that would make incredible strides just to finish with a winning record.
Like many of you, my introduction to Blue Jays baseball came with the same disclaimer. But the fact that Tom Underwood (and his nine victories) was the ace of the staff in 1979 did not deter me from attending. There were still many reasons to go: the smells, the sounds, the opposing team and its stars, or the simple enjoyment of the game was reason enough. We might add that tickets were cheaper back then, unless you were clearing about $15-a-week between allowance and a Shopping News delivery job.
So here’s my question: what brings you to the game? This query is open to anyone within driving distance of a major league park (those who fly from, say, Saskatoon receive plaudits automatically). Is it the home team, is it the game, or is it the crack of the bat and a cold beer on a warm summer’s day? Let me know below.
For me it's a lot of things combined. A love of the game. A love of the personalities/talent on the Jays roster. The excitement of not knowing what is going to happen...you may see a grand slam, or a homeplate steal, a great pitchers duel, a pitcher's 100th win (or perhaps in light of recent events shall I say 3000 career strikeouts) Going to a game is a great way to spend a nice summer day with friends. A little road trip (I live in London, Ont) shall we say. I must say though that the Dome is not a great place to see a game. I would love to fly down to Kansas City to see a game sometime, especially after hearing how cheap the tickets are! Jays home games are outrageously expensive...unless you sit up top, which I actually quite enjoy, but nevertheless.
Hi Jamie:
While I haven't been to the Rogers Centre since it was called the Skydome, I have to say that for me it has always been about the team. I know this runs counter to the premise of your article, but when the Blue Jays are doing well, I'd like to come out to support them. When they're not, I reserve the right to voice my displeasure by my absence.
Of course, this doesn't mean that if they have a losing streak of, oh...I dunno: six games in April, that I'm going to boycott them. We have a good management team in place, from the owner on down. We all know the hell Interbrew put us through, during those lean post-strike years. I stayed away from the ballpark during that era.
This year: if the Bluebirds can get their act together while it's still early, I'll go check out some games.
If not, I refuse to pay good money and be akin to a Leafs Sheep.
In conclusion: for me it has nothing to do with atmosphere. It has everything to do with how well the team is doing.
Living in Vancouver and being a blue jays fan I try to see my team every time they come to Seattle. Drive the 3-4 hours to see a game. I'll be going to my first non-blue jay game in two weeks and still really looking forward to going to it. For all the reasons. The game, the ball park, the atmosphere.
Ok, maybe I'm disqualified because I've never lived within driving distance of a major league park or even seen a major league game live. But, I've been to a lot of minor league games (from summer collegiate ball to AAA)and there's nothing like being at the ball park.
It's great when the home team is winning, but even when they're not, it's always fun. After a long hard day of work in the summer it's so nice to go to the ball park, enjoy a cold beer and some peanuts, sit among your fellow sportsfans and watch a game you love .
At the minor league parks it's always good to take a look at young talented ball players. It's really neat when you get to watch them on TV playing in the majors a few years later.
There are also a lot of subtle plays and strategies that you can notice far more when you're at the ball park than when you watch it on TV...that combined with the wonderful atmosphere at the game really make it all a special experience.
Living in Vancouver, the closest major league team was Seattle. I remember a couple of times, every summer, a couple of my buddies and I would jump in one of our barely driveable cars, brave the border traffic (and customs officers) and head down to Safeco for a game.
It never really mattered who they were playing or whether or not the Mariners were having a good year. The truth is, none of us were real Mariner fans. We went for two main reasons: we loved baseball and because hot girls at a baseball game usually don't wear too much and aren't afraid of strange guys talking to them.
Many of my fondest memories come from those trips down to Seattle. Whether it was Ichiro singling in the tying run in the bottom of the ninth with two strikes and two outs or having to stop every 20 minutes in the dark on the way home because the radiator had a whole in it the size of Washington State, it was all about the experience. Baseball, which is different from so many other sports, isn't a game you watch and concentrate on for the entire duration, it's an experience. From the hum of the crowd to the peanut guy yelling as he walks up and down the aisles, it's the atmosphere and the memories that will always take me back to the park.
Hey Jamie,
I'm from Newfoundland and i'm a hugh Jays fan. I watch pretty much every game I can I tv. It's been awhile since I last seen the Jays live at the Roger's Centre but when I was there in person it was absolutely amazing. The crowd, the players up close, the atmosphere was awesome. All in all i'd say that i've seen close to 10-12 ball games and I have some pretty cool memories...Tony Fernandez's autograph, catching a foul ball, seeing Delgado and Wells hit back-to-back shots, Seeing Roger Clemens and Roy Halladay pitch. It's been pretty cool and I can't wait to see Yankee Stadium this year. Myself and a couple of buddies have decided to fly down to New York the end of August to see the Yanks vs. Red Sox as well as the first and maybe second game of the Blue Jays series which is going to be pretty cool. Hopefully you guys will be covering that game as I would like to meet you Jamie and just chat for a little bit. It's going to be amazing and I can't wait, i'm so excited i'm just like a little boy on Christmas morning.
It's all about the sunshine, ballpark food (sausage & beer), sundresses in the stands and a hometeam win!
I go to the ballpark (and drag my non-fan friends) because I love the game. I love sitting out in 130c for afternoon games enjoying the sun with the Dome open, listening to the heckling of opposing Left Fielders, yelling "RUUUUUUUUUUUN!!" when the grounds crew comes out, and the best part is leaping out of my seat when someone swats a homer or when Vern or Johnnie Mac make a defensive gem.
I love it all. Even when we hit into double plays and leave 14 people on base. The alternating games where A.J. is un-hittable and when he can't throw a strike.
I love the randomness. It doesn't matter if we're in 1st or 5th, if it's April or September. I love being at the ballpark and I've made every effort to be there as much as possible now that I have the funds to do so with some regularity (oh, to be able to afford season tix!).
I'll be making my first trip to Fenway this year (they'll be playing the Brewers) and even though I'll boo the Bosox 'til I'm hoarse when they're in town I'll go and I'll just bask in that energy.
Baseball fans will always come out to the games. There is a difference between fans of the sport and fans of the team.
Prices are a factor as well. It costs alot to take two kids to the game, get good seats, food, drinks, and a hat or shirt. Easy $500, not everyone can spend that.
As a parent I do attend games and I believe it's a great way to bring families together. I will say that IF the Jays sign Bonds I WILL NOT bring my kids to see anymore games. Like it or not our children take pointers from what we do and WE as parents need to set standards.
Baseball has taken a beating and is not played or watched like it once was. Grassroots baseball in Toronto is nothing compared to what it was in the 80's and 90's.
Alot of factors combine to equal a decline in interest in the greatest game in the world. I have great memories of baseball as a kid and I will be making sure my kids have the same.
We need role models. Let's get the players out around the city. Let's get the Jays back to being part of this city so out kids will gain an interest in something healthy.
Hey Jamie, if you read this tell someone who will listen. There are lots of empty seats down there. Why doesn't Rogers get some kids in them. Not just any kids but the ones who can't afford to go. Solve two problems at once. Kids taking in the game and getting an opportunity to enjoy something they would not have. Who knows... they may start playing.
Jamie,
Could you or Rance, Darren or Pat explain (during a Jays broadcast) why, when any pitch hits the dirt, the ball is tossed from the game, but any fair ball, whether a hit or an out, gets tossed back to the pitcher to throw to the next batter? Some batted balls hit the infield dirt more than once and just as hard as any pitch could hit the dirt around home. Likewise, I've never noticed a ball taken out of the game because a throw short-hopped an infielder. What's the logic here?
John Sprungman, Cortes Island, B.C.
Humber95: We're only broadcasting the Friday game in New York. Get my attention if you see me.
SKWILOMAN: I always read these responses, and will pass on your suggestion.
Jamie Campbell
what can bring me to the rogers centre for a game? EVERYTHING you can imagine: the jays, their opponent...the whole 9 yards--and that includes the race with those chili peppers and the 5th inning sweeping of the field.