Monday, September 28, 2009

ATTENDANCE NUMBERS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT

The Saint John Sea Dogs haven't exactly been a hit at the gate this season. After five home games this season the team is averaging 3,331 fans, which is 52% of Harbour Station's total capacity.

"We're mildly concerned," said Saint John Sea Dogs team president Wayne Long in a today's Telegraph-Journal.

The average is still good for fifth in the league, usually where Saint John sits at the end of the season. Last season, attendance grew larger from the previous season for the first time in team history.

The truth is, Saint John has been hit by some bad luck in regards to this season's schedule. The team has played five home games in the last nine days. To make things worse, two were on Sunday and one on Wednesday, days that are always hard to bring fans in.

Attendance numbers are often small this time of season with baseball still to be played and the warm weather outside. The numbers have also been magnified this season with the Rivalry Cup challenge including attendance again this season. The next Rivalry Cup game could easily bring in the largest crowd of the season with the Sea Dogs on the road for the next six games. It's also "Pink at the Rink" night, with proceeds going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Society.

Victoriaville has the league's highest average with 101%. The Halifax Mooseheads are having some of the smallest crowds in there 16 year history. Sunday's game at the Metro Centre against Gatineau had an announced crowd of 4,457.
The picture above was taken last season during a major snow storm.

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