Crowds down for Dodgers at Camelback Ranch [Updated]
The Dodgers are playing to a lot of empty seats this spring.
They need to figure out a way to computer generate some bodies in the stands at Camelback Ranch for the TV cameras. A stadium that holds 13,000 is a step away from embarrassing when it’s less than half full, which it often has been this spring.
Maybe the Arizona novelty for Dodgers fans has worn off. Maybe it’s a result of a losing season or a state hit hard by the recession. Or just possibly, it’s a weariness with ownership.
Either way, Dodgers’ attendance has plummeted this spring. Last year the Dodgers averaged a record 11,589 in 17 home games. This spring, through 10 games, they are averaging 6,645.
[Updated, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday: Those figures are inflated by including the two games played at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers public relations vice president Josh Rawitch said Tuesday that the average attendance exlusively at Camelback last season was 8,893.
Current attendance at Camelback through 11 games has been 7,144, a drop of 19.7%, significantly less than the 42.3% figure I reported that included the two games at Dodger Stadium. Based on the 6,645 average attendance at the time of the original post, attendance would have been down 25.3%.]
Attendance throughout Arizona is down significantly, and in spring training in general. Major League Baseball attendance this spring has fallen an average of 1,309 a game, or 17.2%.
That’s still a long way from 42.3%.
The Dodgers said attendance in the Arizona area has been particularly hit because the Rockies and Diamondbacks opened a new stadium in Glendale. They are two of only five teams with an increase in spring attendance this season.
"There’s no doubt that adding two more teams to the Phoenix area, including the Diamondbacks whose hometown fans are several hours closer to spring training, has had an impact around the whole league," Rawitch said.
"But we’re still seeing tons of Dodger fans at Camelback and the feedback that we’re getting from those who make the trip from Los Angeles continues to be extremely positive.’’
Maybe so, but there are less of them to offer feedback.
There’s no telling if this portends a problem for the Dodgers during the regular season. The Dodgers don’t normally release their season ticket figures, though they are reportedly on target for where they expect to be. Still, last season the no-shows were significant.
The Dodgers are expecting a large crowd Saturday and when the Cubs arrive on Tuesday, so their final spring numbers may not be so chilling. For now, though, the empty seats are what gets your attention.
-- Steve Dilbeck
Photo: There were plenty of good seats available for the Dodgers-Diamondbacks game at Camelback Ranch on St. Patrick's Day. Credit: Jake Roth / US Presswire
"Maybe the Arizona novelty for Dodgers fans has worn off. Maybe it’s a result of a losing season or a state hit hard by the recession. Or just possibly, it’s a weariness with ownership."
It's the ownership, stupid!
As a near life-long (since 6 yrs old) Dodger fan, I got season tickets 4 rows up from the Dodger dugout. Had a good time the first two years. This year, I haven't seen a single game, not even on TV. I will not give another dime of my hard-earned money to the Ds until McCourt has gone, and I told that to the sales reps. I hope others do the same, and it appears to be the case.
Posted by: Michael Hurst | 03/21/2011 at 11:55 AM
If you are truly a Dodgers fan and want to see this team get better, PLEASE send a message to ownership and DO NOT attend ANY home games this year! The only way the fans will get the message across is essentially, "boycotting" this team.
We need attendance to drop down from 3.7 million , down to about 2 million and then (and only then) will we force McCourt's hand to sell this team.
SEND A MESSAGE and STOP GOING to the games!!
Posted by: Cornelius Roy | 03/21/2011 at 04:13 PM
I recently attended a game at Camelback Stadium and found it completely lacking in charm, especially the sort of intimate charm we usually associate with spring training. There is something oddly cold and metallic about the place, and it feels like an efficient factory rather than a ballpark. Something in the way the stands are tiered as they go back from the field makes you feel disconnected from the action. I sat in the front row of the box seats and still felt as if I were miles from the infield.
Posted by: David Lang | 03/21/2011 at 09:17 PM
Sure opening day may be sold out, but just wait till the next game and you'll see all the empty seats.
Posted by: TonyOJay | 03/22/2011 at 12:45 AM
the halo games were both sold last weekend. I tried to get tickets for either day and they were sold out.
Posted by: Braden | 03/22/2011 at 10:38 AM
The Dodgers have been advertising opening day as "sold out" for quite awhile. It is not. It is a lie. You can get a ticket for opening day on the Dodger website. The Dodgers are actually holding a drawing to try and unload the surplus of unsold tickets. Stubhub is offering over 7,000 opening day tickets that fans are desperately trying to unload. The fact is there is little interest in going and yes there will be many many empty seats opening day and throughout the 2011 season.
Posted by: Skyharbor | 03/22/2011 at 11:43 AM
Or maybe it's just bad "reporting". Shouldn't the De La Rosa issue have taught you to do research? (I'm assuming you're lazy and didn't again, as the alternative is that you can't do math or have trouble understanding facts.)
How about a retraction instead of an update or how about moving this updated story back to the top of the list? In any case well done....again. You're a credit to bloggers everywhere!
Posted by: Scioscia | 03/22/2011 at 03:22 PM
Attendance at the Cubs/Dodgers game today was 7,951 compared to 13,391 in 2010. Down about 40%.
Posted by: Skyharbor | 03/23/2011 at 12:29 AM
A lifelong Dodger fan here, from the Brooklyn days. I attended many Spring Trainings at Dodgertown in Vero Beach Fl, and the crowds are smaller on tv, than what I was part of in Vero it seems. I just came back from NY Mets Spring Training, and the 3 games I attended were Sold Out, packed solid, and tickets being scalped in the parking lots. Florida Spring Training is just fine. McCourt is a LOSER. The Dodgers WERE Vero Beach and Vero was the Dodgers, ALWAYS ! FYI, 2 mini burgers on buns with chips cost $3.50 at PSL Mets camp - VERY REASONABLE.
Posted by: JIM D | 03/23/2011 at 08:33 PM
My family used to plan our vacation around spring training so we could see the young up and coming players as well as the established ones. Now our farm system is so depleted that JC players seem to have more talent! Couple that with the way the McCrooks have tried to play the fans makes me wonder why anyone would go to the Ravine. Don't forget that we may only have the best announcer in MLB for a short time and it means that I will be spending my time listening to Vinnie and not spending my money at the games. Also, not going to the games is not enough, we need to quit buying Dodger gear as well because the Crooks make a ton og money on that stuff. GO BACK TO BEANTOWN AND GIVE US OUR TEAM BACK !!!!
Posted by: dDon Santacroce | 03/28/2011 at 07:49 AM