Evan Longoria Perplexed About Low Attendance

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria says the team is embarrassed and disheartened by the small crowds at Rays games.  The Rays have been battling the Yankees all season for the lead in the American League East, and will go to the post season as either the East champs or as the A.L. Wild Card team. The Rays had a chance to clinch a postseason berth September 27th, but lost to the Baltimore Orioles in front of just 12,446.  It was the fourth smallest crowd of the season.  Longoria says the team is dismayed over the low attendance at Rays games, which averages around 23,000 per game.  The Rays are 23rd in attendance in the Major Leagues, despite having the best record in baseball. Pitcher David Price echoed Longoria’s concerns.

There are a lot of issues here.  Columnist John Romano of the St. Petersburg Times opined that while Longoria has a point, factors such as the economy in the Tampa Bay area may have more to do with the low attendance than apathy.  Some say the Rays stadium, Tropicana Field is partly to blame.  We attended a game there a couple of years ago, and while the Trop is utilitarian compared to the parks that have been built in recent years, it’s really not bad.  Some contend that the St. Petersburg location doesn’t help, and that a new park should be in Tampa.  Besides, it’s the product on the field that brings the fans in, and the Rays are a good exciting team in the same division with the Yankees and Red Sox, two of the bigger draws in baseball wherever they play. 

Longoria insists he’s not trying to take a “low blow” at the fans as he put it, but wanted to “rally the troops”.  Rays management apparently took note as  Longoria’s comments received  more and more attention from the press.  They announced that they would be giving away 20,000 free tickets to the Ray’s regular season home finale September 29th.   The Ray’s finally did clinch that playoff spot September 28th as Price picked up his 19th victory with a 5-0 shutout of the Orioles.  The attendence was 17,821, or about half the capacity of Tropicana Field.

Team owner Stuart Sternberg has said that the Rays will have to cut payroll next year, meaning some good players, like All Star outfielder Carl Crawford, will likely not be back.  Rays fans should enjoy the club’s success this year, as economics will dictate a rebuilding year next year.

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