Marlins’ Super Saturdays Boost Attendance
The idea behind the Marlins’ Super Saturdays was to make Dolphin Stadium “the place to be” on Saturday nights by adding more giveaways, pregame parties and postgame concerts followed by fireworks.
The concert lineup has had plenty of critics – and fans – but the attendance boost from last year has exceeded even the team’s expectations, said Sean Flynn, Marlins vice president of marketing.
According to the team’s statistics, through the first five Saturdays this season, the team has sold an average of 26,520 tickets a game up 88 percent from the 14,116 average on the first five Saturdays of the 2006 season. While Marlins' tickets sold still ranks 29th of 30 teams -- ahead of only the Tampa Bay Devil Rays -- the average 18,123 tickets sold per game through the first 33 games this season is up 65 percent from the 10,979 at this time last season.
Super Saturdays have a lot to do with the increase. Saturday nights offer plenty to go along with the game ticket: the first 5,000 cars at Dolphin Stadium get a car-specific giveaway, such as a car flag, license plate or gas can. The first 25,000 fans get a more traditional giveaway as well, such as a T-shirt or a floppy hat. Marlins alumni and celebrities sign autographs before the game. After the game, fans are treated to a postgame concert followed by fireworks.
“The concerts are the strongest element of eventizing Saturday nights,” Flynn said. “Our goal was to make this the place to be.”
Still not sure “eventize” is a word. Have you been attending on Saturday nights? Do you stay for the concerts and fireworks?
Flynn says typically 50 percent to 75 percent of the crowd sticks around for the postgame concert and fireworks.
The rest of the concert lineup for this season is as follows: Jo Dee Messina, June 23; Joan Jett, June 30; Smash Mouth, July 14; Willy Chirino, July 21; Oscar D'León, Aug. 4; Blues Traveler, Aug. 18; Issac Delgado and Victor Manuelle, Sept. 1; Vince Neil of Motley Crue and Quiet Riot, Sept. 22.
Comments
I like the Saturday promotions, though the concert lineup doesn't thrill me. It's targeted at a younger crowd. That's OK. I have two comments: With all the money they spent on the Hi-Def screens, how come they can't figure out how to show video on the bigger screen without stretching the picture? Secondly, since they show a lot of stats on the new board, when a Marlins player who is a threat to steal reaches first base, they should show that player's steal percentage, and also the opposing catcher's caught-stealing percentage.
Posted by: Jerry | June 27, 2007 10:37 PM
An excellent question about the earlier start times - one I did ask the Marlins. As you may recall, the Marlins have started Saturday games at 6:05 p.m. and actually prefer that start time. But apparently Major League Baseball prevents the Saturday games from starting that early because of national broadcast schedules.
Posted by: Sarah Talalay | June 22, 2007 2:20 PM
I have truly enjoyed the post game activities and they have been points to discuss with others as another reason to go to the park. In addition, prior to the big act, there have been local high school bands performing which gives those performing something to remember. Anything to get people to the park is fine with me.
What I do think a lot of people miss out on when talking about Marlins attendance is the fact that this team has been around only for 12 years. By contrast, the Dolphins have been around for 41 years! (The Yankees - 1913, The Red Sox 1908) A consistent loyal fan base, like so many other things in baseball, will develop with time, patience and most importantly, tradition. There are a lot of father (who maybe a fan of another team) and young kid (whose #1 team is the Marlins) combos going to these games. Tradition is building. Attendance will follow. Just need to keep it around for awhile, let the game pass from one generation to another.
Ever look at Dolphins attendance on year 12 (1978)?
09/17 - 48,373
10/1 - 43,882
10/29 - 53,524
10/9 - 54,729
11/26 - 49,255
11/5 - 70,414
12/10 - 73,003
12/18 - 72,071
Not sell outs for sure! And they were the only game in town!
Give it time and this will be a more passionate and loyal fan base than the Dolphins could ever hope for!
Play ball!
Posted by: Leo Guerra | June 22, 2007 1:52 PM
I like the concerts for the most part. I would prefer an earlier start time for the game, say 6:05. By the end of the game, barring extra innings, it becomes a pretty late night. Anyone remember the Kansas concert? Thirteen innings that night... the concert didn't start until almost 11:30. Yeah, an earlier start would be good but I still enjoy Saturday nights at the ballpark.
GO FISH!!
Posted by: FishFan | June 22, 2007 1:38 PM
I think they should bring back the fireworks after the homeruns and game wins!
Posted by: Anonymous | June 22, 2007 12:56 PM
These attendance numbers, up though they may be, can not hide the lack of baseball interest in south FLorida. Combined with the dismal numbers in Tampa, there is a general lack of interest in baseball in all of south Florida. More evidence: the Florida State League is last in minor league attendance while minor league baseball in the rest of the country is having a resurgance in interest and attendance. There is no doubt that MLB must be studying these numbers and trying to figure out why there are 2 MLB franchises in florida.
Posted by: peter winske | June 18, 2007 6:55 AM
Honestly, I don't know how much impact the Saturday night concerts are having, but at least it's something.
At least I was able to say to my friends "yeah, they're doing some nutty: concert/fireworks thing on Saturday nights." Even my non-sporting friends got the message though: the Marlins are trying SOMETHING.
And honestly, it's not a bad deal: Baseball, fan-friendly activities, food, fireworks, etc... I think they're doing a great job.
See you on the 23ed.
Posted by: ToddinFtl | June 17, 2007 10:11 PM