Not crazy to think more fans should go to D-backs games
Aug 11, 2011, 6:06 PM | Updated: 7:27 pm
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ attendance woes are no secret.
The Houston Astros have not helped things, but overall the D-backs just don’t draw as well as they’d like or, really, like a first place team should.
Arizona ranks 21st in the Major Leagues, seeing an average of 23,962 fans each night at Chase Field. Sports 620 KTAR’s Doug Franz would like to see the number cross 30,000, and says it wouldn’t be difficult to get there.
“I’m only talking about one-and-a-half to two percent of Maricopa County deciding yes, the Diamondbacks are worth my investment tonight,” he said on the Doug and Wolf show Thursday.
Franz said it’s understandable that the economy affects things, and would not criticize those who have to choose between feeding their family and going to a game.
But if that’s not the case, Franz thinks you should be showing up, especially if you are under the impression that you should wait and see how good the D-backs really are.
“I don’t get that because isn’t it just about fun,” he asked. “If the D-backs are battling for first place in June, well then they’re for real in June. If they fall of the horse and they’re awful in September then stop going.
“But right now, what haven’t they done to earn your respect and earn your ticket?”
Diamondbacks broadcaster Daron Sutton, though, said the fans will get another chance to show their mettle on the D-backs’ next homestand.
“If this club goes to Philly, goes to Atlanta, goes to Washington,” he said, “and still is right there, that’s another test they will have passed.
“Let’s hope there are more people here.”
In any event, Sutton says the Diamondbacks are in the process of growing their fan base, even if their efforts don’t show up at the box office.
“This is not a transient town anymore,” he said. “The people that live here aren’t going anywhere. You’re about to have a generation of youngsters who are going to live here.”
The hope then is that they’ll start showing up at the ballpark, too.
