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Old 04-17-2009, 11:47 AM
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Bigsmc Bigsmc is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2006
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I can't speak for everyone else, but personally, my schedule precludes me from going to most week night games.

There are several other factors/theories. I don't necessarily agree with all of them, but here goes.

1. For some reason, it has not become the "hip" thing to do in this area. The young people don't want to go to baseball games (unlike the Wrigley crowd). I don't know if any amount of marketing will change that.
2. The location of the dome. It is in the heart of St. Pete and traffic can be difficult to get in and out. (I don't buy this one at all having attended games in other cities with way worse traffic problems) It is tough to go to a game, have it drag on for four hours and then drive for an hour and a half to get home and get up for work the next day.
3. There are several other things to do in the area. We have beaches, a bazillion golf courses, college and pro football, nhl playoffs (sometimes), boating, fishing, thoroughbred horse racing. People are doing other things, moreso, they are spending their discretionary income on other things.
4. They used to blame the dome itself, but that is a piss poor excuse. I don't think anybody wants to sit out in a thunderstorm on a July night with 90 degree temps and 99% humidity. I have been to Marlins games and sat through the rain delays in the heat, it is miserable.
5. There is also the old excuse I hear throughout baseball, that the kids are still in school and it will pick up when school is out.

I think the attendance will pick up (it already is way better than last year) if the team stays competitive. If they go in the tank, they will bail like rats off a sinking ship.

Final answer to your question....no clue.
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