Lack of fans leads to lackluster play for D-backs
Aug 8, 2011, 9:11 PM | Updated: Aug 9, 2011, 12:01 am
The Arizona Diamondbacks are in the thick of the race for the NL West crown, yet their attendance at Chase Field has been far from impressive.
The Diamondbacks drew 27,215 Friday, 33,239 Saturday and a paltry 25,575 Sunday.
“You can’t tell me, in 162 games, that baseball players can bring it all the time,” Sports 620 KTAR’s Paul Calvisi said on Sports Interactive Monday.
Calvisi talked about what seems like a lack of urgency from the team and how it can be traced back to the lack of fan support.
“I think to some degree they mirror the atmosphere, or lack thereof, at Chase Field,” he said. “To some degree I think the climate or the atmosphere down at Chase Field is responsible for a lackluster performance by the D-backs, at least Friday and Saturday night.”
While the crowd’s apathy may have something to do with the team’s poor play, it really is a tough sell. The D-backs rarely draw well at home, yet have a 32-27 record at Chase Field.
While there are certainly times where a crowd can pick a team up, Calvisi said it’s an advantage the team will rarely have.
And, as Chris Hamblin said on the show, “I would sure hope that’s not the case with these guys, needing a little bit of extra motivation, you’re a half-game out of the division.”
