Minor-league baseball searching for crowds
By Dirk Facer (web link)Perhaps new lyrics should be crafted for the seventh-inning stretch at professional baseball games.

“Take me out to the ball game” just doesn’t cut it anymore. In Utah, where three minor league franchises operate, “Take me out for some fun,” might be more appropriate.

“We’re not in the business of wins and losses,” says Ogden Raptors president Dave Baggott. “We’re in the business of entertainment.”

Whether its postgame fireworks, Fat Elvis Night or Christmas in July, Baggott is a believer in the concept of putting on a show. IOC Bribery Night was a big hit last year and hopes are high that this summer’s proposed French Judge’s Night (where fans get up and switch sides of the stadium midway through the game) will be as well.

“It’s just about having fun,” says Baggott. “When people come and leave with a smile on their faces that makes me happy even if we lose 10-1.”

In other words, he explains, it’s entertainment and then, “by the way, we’re playing a baseball game as well.”

Putting the fans first, says Baggott, is why the Raptors are bucking a recent trend of declining attendance at the major and minor league levels. Ogden drew 109,360 people to home games last season — tops in the eight-team Pioneer League. Over 36 openings, the Raptors drew an average of 3,037 per game.

There’s no secret to their success, insists Baggott.

“We put the fans first, that’s why,” says the 13-year baseball executive, who gained notoriety for making the old Salt Lake Trappers a box office success. “Come to one game, and if you don’t come back, it’s our fault.”  (read the rest of the story here)

Obviously if you read Gameops.com this philosophy isn’t anything out of the ordinary to you, but I really appreciated Dave Baggott’s honestly and willingness to take the responsibility of putting on a good show and keeping the fans happy.

I know a lot of teams who rely on winning.  They explain every dip in attendance to wins and losses.  The reality is, you are selling entertainment…which isn’t mutually exclusive to wins or losses.  If you are only selling “a baseball team that wins“, your market will be pretty small and there would really be no need for a marketing department.
When you look across at the great teams and the successful franchises that draw fans and make money…they are the ones that understand they are selling fan experience.  Ask Saint Paul Saints fans, ask Chicago Cub fans, and ask Dave Baggott.

Or you can ask me….but I’d probably just tell you to read my blog.

–Cudo