A Dream Season's Missing Ingredient

The Tampa Bay Rays are on a roll this season everywhere except in the stands at Tropicana Field, and that's a shame.

The team is finally winning, compiling one of the best records in Major League Baseball so far at 32-21, and in first place in its division. Television ratings are up; the sale of team merchandise is, too. And national writers and broadcasters are no longer laughing.

But once again, the Rays, who are in their 11th season, are last in the American League in attendance and 28th out of 30 teams overall, averaging only about 18,000 fans per home game. It's the only disappointment so far this young season, but it's a major one, considering the Rays' big turnaround. Just 10,927 showed up Wednesday afternoon for the Rays' win over the Rangers at the Trop.

Rays' officials point to the economy and also note that public school is still in session in many areas, which are probably factors. But they're optimistic the turnstiles will begin to turn quicker this summer, especially if the team continues winning.

They hold out as an example the 1991 Atlanta Braves, who after years of losing finally won their division. It wasn't until June that fans started believing in the Braves, and the team ended up more than doubling its attendance from the previous season, from about 12,000 a game to more than 26,000.

In addition to investing in players, Rays' executives have done everything they can to make watching a game at the domed Tropicana Field a pleasant and affordable experience. Post-game Saturday concerts, "all-you-can-eat" ticket packages and free parking for fans who carpool with three or more others are just a few of the fun ways the team is trying to draw crowds.

Team Marketing Report even ranks Rays' home games as "the best bargain in baseball" with a "fan cost index" of $136.91 for a family of four. The analysis includes the cost of four "average" tickets, two beers, four sodas, four hot dogs, parking and two adult-sized caps. An ESPN study also found the Rays ranked first in "affordability" among Major League clubs - and third in all professional sports.

Now that's reasonably priced entertainment.

The team also is making it easy on arm-chair fans by televising more than 60 of the team's 82 home games, which raises the question: Why come to the games when you can watch them at home or in a bar? The answer is simple: Television, even in high-definition, doesn't do this beloved, strategic game justice.

Residents unsure of whether to root for the Rays in person or at all should look at it this way: The team is winning, and its executives have made attending home games affordable and fun. So now it's up to fans to pack Tropicana Field and show this exciting team their support.