Nobody goes to AFL games. Why?

Keith Law was kind enough to help me dig in to the mystery of the empty seats at Arizona Fall League games. It's kind of a shame that so many great prospects are all in one place, but go mostly unnoticed by fans in the area.

Informal poll question: Have you ever been to an AFL game? What was your experience like?

over 1 year ago minda33 20 comments 0 recs |

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Fine, I'll start.

I’ve never been to an AFL game, because I’m in school in Nebraska, which is kind of far from Arizona.

WTF, self?

by minda33 on Nov 3, 2010 12:56 AM EDT reply actions

I'd love to go, if I lived 1200 miles closer

Are they day games or night games? I guess that would impact attendance a fair bit. It’s one thing to attend a major league game once every two weeks on a Thursday, but another to watch minor leaguers every day during the workday.

by kcbottom9th on Nov 3, 2010 1:19 AM EDT reply actions

"It’s just baseball, stripped of the promotions and extras that draw in casual fans."

This sentence actually makes me want to go… if I lived anywhere near it.

I guess that’s the problem. I know people who travel specifically to make a vacation out of spring training, but I can’t see anyone doing that for Fall League. Which leaves local fans I guess.

Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!

by mazoboom on Nov 3, 2010 1:33 AM EDT reply actions

Yup.

Me too…. I hate all the promotions.

Although I seem to catch a T Shirt at every game I go to… the problem is they are always a Small or Youth Large and I don’t like wearing SMEDIUMs…. throw out some XLs.

Scouting the Royals
Royals Prospects

by 306008 on Nov 3, 2010 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I've thought about it for sure

But fall is a hard time to jet for me. I’m more likely to make the trip for a spring training game.

"This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains."

Contributor at Kings of Kauffman

by MinnesotaRoyal on Nov 3, 2010 8:53 AM EDT reply actions

if i had to guess....

i’d say its partially due to timing…people have had 8 months of baseball already…most are sick of it. secondly, theres no team identity. Most fans are ‘royals fans’ or ‘reds fans’ or whatever….when you’ve got players from 4 teams on it or whatever…its different.

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Nov 3, 2010 9:26 AM EDT reply actions

This

by AxDxMx on Nov 4, 2010 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions

After living there, it is not pushed at all.

And ST starts in just a few months. If teams wanted more attendance they would move it to a place that doesn’t have ST. Maybe to Texas or California.

- .-. ..- … – / – …. . / .—. .-. - .. . … …

by Jeff Zimmerman on Nov 3, 2010 9:51 AM EDT reply actions

I get the impression

that MLB doesn’t really care if anyone comes or not. Other than scouts and assorted other professionals that is.

Feh.

by The Ol' Perfesser on Nov 3, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Exactly that.

MLB pays the expenses of running the league because they want to protect the game’s top talent with MLB-sanctioned workouts, doctors and facilities – rather than risk players’ health/success in Latin America.

In other words, running the AFL is simply an operating cost. If anyone happens to throw money at them to attend games, it’s gravy – but filling the seats is not MLB’s top priority at all.

WTF, self?

by minda33 on Nov 3, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I set my DVR to record the game Saturday.

broken sun clocks a dog's ass every twice and again --- Crooow

by averagegatsby on Nov 3, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Wasn't there

a winter league in Hawaii at one point? Or am I completely off? (Yes, I know, the two are not mutually exclusive…)

Feh.

by The Ol' Perfesser on Nov 3, 2010 1:32 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, there was.

It looks like the last time it was active was 2008.

WTF, self?

by minda33 on Nov 3, 2010 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I wish I could just have a conversation with an awesome sports writer...

(not counting present company)… But then again if that were the case perhaps i should have chosen a different focus for my major.

broken sun clocks a dog's ass every twice and again --- Crooow

by averagegatsby on Nov 3, 2010 2:51 PM EDT reply actions

Just e-mail...that's all I did.

Being a journo student had little to do with it. I wanted to know something, so I asked. Technology is awesome. :)

WTF, self?

by minda33 on Nov 3, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Brilliant strategery...

I finally mustered up the courage to talk to Jonah Keri… i love his podcast too

broken sun clocks a dog's ass every twice and again --- Crooow

by averagegatsby on Nov 3, 2010 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Goyou!

Jonah’s great.

WTF, self?

by minda33 on Nov 3, 2010 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I had to have him help me settle a debate

with a previously mentioned mouthbreathing Yankee fan co-worker.

broken sun clocks a dog's ass every twice and again --- Crooow

by averagegatsby on Nov 3, 2010 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I live in the area so I have no excuse for not going

Surprise is ridiculously far from anything but I could see the Rafters play in Scottsdale, Mesa, or Phoenix by driving a half an hour. So, once again, I have no excuse.

Unrelated, but I drive by the site of the new Dbacks/Rockies stadium everyday on the way to work. It’s pretty far along at this point and looks impressive. It’s kind of sad there’s no more spring training in Tucson, but I’m sure the teams are very pleased with all the new stadiums.

by jsolo on Nov 3, 2010 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

Yep - I've been to AFL games

Random thoughts -

1. The first year that I went was when Gordon and Butler were among KC’s prospects. Gordon was only supposed to be a “part-time” player but was added to the full-time roster when Justin Huber revealed that he had a foot injury. Alex played first base.
2. That year, they were still pretending that Billy could play outfield. Even I could tell that it wasn’t going to work.
3. Most of the games are played in the afternoon which doesn’t help attendance. Looking up into the sun probably didn’t help Billy play the outfield either.
4. I’m only able to attend on Saturdays (if I can remember to go). Unlike spring training, they don’t play on Sundays in the AFL.
5. The MLB isn’t really interested in marketing the games at all. You can’t even get an AFL hat (at least not at any of the games that I’ve been to). The Scorpions hat is kinda cool looking – I’d like to get one of those!
6. I’d like to go to the Rising Stars game. We’ll see if I make it.

Tension is the enemy. - Charlie Lau

by aHorseWithNoName on Nov 4, 2010 4:03 PM EDT reply actions