By BotEnuro

December 15, 2009 8:56 PM | Link to this

yo… strange post!

By Suaves

June 8, 2009 1:10 PM | Link to this

You all sound the same! Really! I hear a lot of “we can stay home and watch the game because who wants to pay a ton to see a team that loses?” That argument is very flawed and backhanded. The nature of professional sport is that there is a finite number of great players with game changing capabilities. Cole Hammels, Albert Pujols, Derek Jeter. What do they have in common? They’re champions, and they are paid like it. And they didn’t just fall off the turnip truck. Their respective teams pay them to do what they do because they do it well. So? Leave ten minutes earlier to offset the horrible walk from parking (you probably need to walk because you’ve been watching games on TV). Water is a dollar a bottle on the way into the game, eat something before you go, have one hot dog and soda instead of ten, pick up some peanuts on the way in, have a good time, and put some of your dollars towards a better team. One doesn’t need to go every week, every month even. But really, save up your money and go to a professional baseball game.

By ron

June 7, 2009 7:52 AM | Link to this

Steroid cheatin’ ballplayers with .250 averages and 5.8 ERA’s pulling down 4 million a year. Slower fastballs and fewer homeruns, could it be testing and ramifications of getting caught are having an effect?

By don

June 6, 2009 11:56 PM | Link to this

who cares over priced players anyway 5.00$ hotdog get real

By Randy

June 6, 2009 1:59 PM | Link to this

the city of cincinnati is terrible. 2. the area around the park isn’t developed well. 3. parking 4. traiffic 5. cincinnati is a depressing city…not designed well, unsafe, boring, narrow, dirty streets, grimy, smelly, dead in at the ohio river. just a god awful town 6. price 7. why go there when you can just go to dayton? yes it’s smaller, but the park is in a nice area, lots of parking, much better city

By Still a fan

June 6, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this

It’s the cost. Not really ticket cost but everything else: parking is over the top, food and drink are unreal and if you take kids try telling them that the trinkets cost to much.

By Transpartation

June 5, 2009 4:25 PM | Link to this

PARKING!PARKING!PARKING!PARKING!PARKING!PARKING!

By Dragonfan

June 5, 2009 2:18 PM | Link to this

There are several reasons people aren’t going to the GABP. First its the price! The economy is tough and the cost to take your family to a Reds game is outrageous. Everything at the GABP is way too costly. Tickets, parking, and the food is greatly over priced. The traffic congestion is a nightmare. To make matters worse, you do all this just to see a team that doesnt seem to care if fans are there or not. Sorry guys, the Dayton Dragons are about the same drive time. It is extremely cheaper to see a game. They have a very nice field, good concessions, and they really appreciate the fans that come out. They actually set an attendance record last week, even with this economy. I think that speaks volumes! Hopefully the Reds business office is listening. your family to

By Dragonfan

June 5, 2009 2:11 PM | Link to this

There are several reasons people aren’t going to the GABP. First its the price! The economy is tough and the cost to take your family to

By ohgodno

June 5, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this

Several reasons why my family doesn’t go to Reds games. Location. Very unsafe, extremely far from the stadium. Price. Not only tickets and parking, but the concessions also. On the rare occasion we do go see a ball game, we go to The Dayton Dragons. The kids love it and it is really so much cheaper. Very family oriented.

By marc

June 5, 2009 8:07 AM | Link to this

Tim, I appreciate your argument, but it does seem as though you feel it is a person’s civic duty to attend a Red’s game. It is not. Many things take priority over baseball in terms of cost. Sounds like Kevin is one of the many people who are simply fed up, and I understand where he is coming from the same as I understand where you are. Nothing wrong with supporting the hometown team if that’s what you choose to do. Bottom line - it is a choice, not a mandatory requirement. By the way, I take back what I said about players salaries. If I were good enough to play big league ball, I wouldn’t turn down the money.

By Tim

June 4, 2009 5:18 PM | Link to this

KEVIN, you are completely and utterly wrong. I cannot believe you’re linking the reds to steroids, when no one we employ has ever been linked so. Players do not screw around, I don’t even know what you’re talking about. They’re playing a sport for a living, if they look like they’re having fun instead of going through the motions of a boring job, YOU’RE PROBABLY RIGHT!! The reds have 4 Tix + Food for $54 this year. You are grossly misinterpreting how much it costs to go to a ballgame. Furthermore, once again people make excused from past occurrences like “well, the ‘93 strike turned fans off”, or “uhh, the OTR Riots take a long time to get over”. Give me a break, don’t make up correlations between rioting and baseball fan attendance, that’s straight laughable. Steroids do affect the game, and probably the attendance, but it hasn’t in cities where superstars have been proven users (see St. Louis, San Francisco, New York, Boston, LA, etc..)

By KEVIN

June 4, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this

The baseball players have become such a group of over-paid whiners that screw around so much during a game, the fans cannot relate to them anymore. The “performance enhancing drugs” are causing people to look away from baseball and into another sport to look for heroes. The fans don’t care about many of the players, nor can keep track of who is on what team any longer. The owners keep jacking up the ticket prices so the average family cannot go to a game for less that $250 anymore. The AA teams are less expensive, closer to home & the games do not take as long to play since the players go out & play, not screw around. The player strikes alienated fans years ago. That was when the games started really loosing fan attendance. You can stay home, watch the game and not spend a load of money.

By JimV

June 4, 2009 1:22 PM | Link to this

With all due respect, I think the Brewers comparison is flawed, since they have proven to be a good team by actually making the postseason. The Reds haven’t done that in a while and most fans have grown cynical and fatigued, just waiting for this team to implode. I think that if the Reds make the postseason, you will see the same results in Cincy next year that you see in Milwaukee this year. Personally, I think that buying lots of tickets when a team is in a long drought is rewarding failure.

By Jack

June 4, 2009 1:21 PM | Link to this

Hal - check the unemployment rates of Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana and compare them to Missouri & Wisconsin. The average unemployment rate in the tri-state is about 9.8% whereas Missouri has an unemployment rate of 7.7% and Wisconsin’s is 8.8%. Maybe it is cost?

By Lloyd

June 4, 2009 12:25 PM | Link to this

Continuing from previous post, other cities that have a history of rioting have had low attendance in their stadiums. Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, Los Angeles, Cincinnati, and most recently Oakland have low attendance at their ball parks. If, God forbid, these other cities ever rioted, ie St. Louis, Millwaukee, or Boston, I am very sure they would be having similar results. It takes at least 40 years for any city or town to start healing from the effects of rioting. Cleveland and Detroit are finally getting over their rioting in the sixties. However the motor city and the steelworks have never been the same.

By Lloyd

June 4, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this

Cincinnati has 2 strikes against them. The consecutive baseball strikes in the early nineties and the ‘over-the-rhine riots in 2001. The strikes have really hurt baseball over the years. Every city that has had riots have been hurt really bad to the point that no one wants to do business in these cities anymore.

By Barry

June 4, 2009 8:18 AM | Link to this

Another thing about discount tickets, at Riverfront/Cinergy day of the game tickets were top 6 rows, sure you were high up, but at least you could sit anywhere around the stadium, at GABP its those horrid Bleacher seats where you get to bake in the sun and not be able to see the scoreboard. Terrible idea

By Tim Berger

June 3, 2009 8:42 PM | Link to this

I am sometimes ashamed to be a reds fan. Reading most of your comments, I am absolutely astounded at the answers you all come up with. Lets look at all your pathetic excuses: Smoking (designated areas for that), unfair prices (among the lowest in the country), previous ownership (lindner and schott did a poor job, castellini has put together a quality team, give them a chance), big leaguers are full of themselves (listen to these guys talk, all they want is for reds fans to come out and support them, they love when the park is packed). The reds finally have a pitching staff to keep them in games. They have a young core group of guys who have fun playing the game, they provide a quality environment to watch the game in. I live up in Columbus and still make it to 6-8 games a year. At least those of us who go to games are true fans, I don’t want you excuse making, whiny, pity party, poor-me fans at GABP. Trust me, you’ll all find time to go to the games in August when we’re chasing after a division crown, I hope you all remember how dishonest and disappointing you were at the start of the season.

By chuck

June 3, 2009 6:28 PM | Link to this

Just wait until this weekend, it will be packed every game. The Cubs are in town and wait until you see the blue.

By stupid is stupid does

June 3, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this

as of right now the reds paid attendance is on pace to rank 33rd in its 128 years. 34th is the 1972 world series reds that lost to the oakland a’s.Also we all know that if the reds keep winning after the all star break attendance will go up could be as high as 21st which was 1999 when they lost to mets in 1 game playoff…nuff said GO REDS! GET WELL VOTTO

By Infielder

June 3, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this

Go Dragons..If thats the case and I believe it is thats a shame..the Reds ushers are not friendly..they are like prison guards..if theres the usual 20,000 there let a kid get out of the sun or enjoy a better seat..the ushers at GABP need to lighten up

By Ken

June 3, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this

Cost is not an issue if the team wins. The only reason people are saying cost is an issue is because the product has stunk since Marge Schott was ousted. Lindner damaged this team beyond repair and Castellini has done NOTHING to turn it around. I want the media to STOP with the attitude that it is embarrassing that GABP is empty, like its the fans fault. The blame falls on two people and two people only….Carl Lindner and Bob Castellini. They are what is embarrassing about the Reds. Their product STINKS!! Blame the management Hal, not the fans. We’ve been lied to long enough. Momma isn’t happy!!

By Infielder

June 3, 2009 12:06 PM | Link to this

apparel prices at gift shop are a joke..bought a tee at Kohls for 15.00 at stadium 25.00..a kids tee come on..bottom line the Reds have Votto if he decides to come back and Phillips and Hernandez who are pretty goog ML players..then theres not much..Cueto Volquez and a decent bullpen..a 9th losing season in a row

By Infielder

June 3, 2009 11:55 AM | Link to this

I think the Reds try to get people into the park..I think there promotions are pretty decent..still love the bobbleheads for sure…bottom line u need talent..most people do not want to pay to watch some of the AAA talent on that club..go to louisville and watch minor league talent

By Marc

June 3, 2009 8:11 AM | Link to this

Hal, to add to what I posted yesterday, I agree with all who cite loud, drunken and vulgar ‘fans’ as a reason not to attend. I would not dream of taking a child to GABP for this reason. Also, I don’t much care for being accosted by beggars and thugs on the way to the stadium. I’ll just leave big league baseball to the millionaire prima donna, pajama pants wearing, steroid juiced,non hustling, never paid enough players and their owners along with the host of hasslers outside the stadium.

By claude

June 2, 2009 11:07 PM | Link to this

and for what it’s worth, Hal: i considered going to the memorial golf tournament this weekend in dublin. but i’ve walked that course a couple times, and the tickets are 52 bucks! i think i’ll have a couple friends over for a steak dinner instead, watch it on tv, and still come out ahead.

By claude

June 2, 2009 11:02 PM | Link to this

why would i drive an hour to spend $ to see the reds play, when i can spend half the $ on a big steak with all the trimmings and watch the game on tv? i went to great american once just to experience it for the first time; but there’s nothing there that makes me want to spend $ again.

By Randy B

June 2, 2009 8:49 PM | Link to this

The last time I took my family to a Reds game was when Carl Linder owned thr Reds. He gave vouchers to students so we went to two games and each game we only had to buy 2 extra tickets each time. You were limited to what games you could see but that was no problem. Now my kids are older and our lives are busy with them working and/or playing sports. Finding the time to actually see a game is close to impossible. We enjoy racing (Nascar) but because of the same reasons we have not been there (Sparta) the past 4 years. There isn’t enough time in the day or days in the week to get all of us together to go to a sporting event unless it has to do with our own kids playing in it.

By Oliver

June 2, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this

I go as often as I can afford the time and cost (taking into account my trip from Louisville). That’s usually five or six games a year. I will buy more tickets if they’re still in the hunt in late August, and I’ll spend outrageous amounts if I have to in order to get playoff tickets.

By Oliver

June 2, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this

I go as often as I can afford the time and cost (taking into account my trip from Louisville). That’s usually five or six games a year. I will buy more tickets if they’re still in the hunt in late August, and I’ll spend outrageous amounts if I have to in order to get playoff tickets.

By Simon

June 2, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this

There are a lot of reasons, but one that I feel has a big impact but gets missed often is that the stadium and its neighborhood are not a destination like so many other great ballparks. I have not been to Miller park, but a quick trip to Boston or Chicago and you’ll see how a vibrant neighborhood around the stadium not only will draw more casual fans in, but those maybe not considering to go to the ball game might do so spur of the moment. There is so much to do before, during, and after ball games at locations like these. While Cincy is working on the Banks and downtown is improving, its not there yet. Even when the Banks is done, will it have enough to keep people interested? Downtown is just a bit too far away for some too, given the separation between the city and the ballpark. Not to beat a dead horse, but had we put the park at Broadway commons, and improved the area around it, I could see the stadium packed and a thriving neighborhood. As it stands you have a trickle of goings on in OTR and downtown, and two stadiums physically walled off from the city. If the Reds win yes I think that will drive up attendance. Great service and good prices will help too. But with the competition for “off time” fiercer than ever, you need an edge. Folks in other cities like Boston go down to the ball park just the experience the vibe even if they are not going to the game. Would ANYONE do that in Cincy (other than opening day)? There’s your answer Hal…

By Simon

June 2, 2009 3:18 PM | Link to this

There are a lot of reasons, but one that I feel has a big impact but gets missed often is that the stadium and its neighborhood are not a destination like so many other great ballparks. I have not been to Miller park, but a quick trip to Boston or Chicago and you’ll see how a vibrant neighborhood around the stadium not only will draw more casual fans in, but those maybe not considering to go to the ball game might do so spur of the moment. There is so much to do before, during, and after ball games at locations like these. While Cincy is working on the Banks and downtown is improving, its not there yet. Even when the Banks is done, will it have enough to keep people interested? Downtown is just a bit too far away for some too, given the separation between the city and the ballpark. Not to beat a dead horse, but had we put the park at Broadway commons, and improved the area around it, I could see the stadium packed and a thriving neighborhood. As it stands you have a trickle of goings on in OTR and downtown, and two stadiums physically walled off from the city. If the Reds win yes I think that will drive up attendance. Great service and good prices will help too. But with the competition for “off time” fiercer than ever, you need an edge. Folks in other cities like Boston go down to the ball park just the experience the vibe even if they are not going to the game. Would ANYONE do that in Cincy (other than opening day)? There’s your answer Hal…

By mikew

June 2, 2009 1:49 PM | Link to this

“our favorite seats are now priced out of our range and, none of the other seats in the ball park are worth their price.” I guess that’s the difference between the ‘die-hards’ and the ‘lifers.’ They used to be have the same meaning.

By mikew

June 2, 2009 1:43 PM | Link to this

Also, at the very least, the Reds are as good as the brewers were three years ago. Three years ago we hadn’t been to the post season in 24 years, but milwaukee put up huge attendance numbers… we were good three years ago, but I think the reds now are better than the brewers then… there’s no knowing how the brewers 07 season could have been if we had the pitching the reds do now.

By mikew

June 2, 2009 1:39 PM | Link to this

I’m a brewers fan and think its beyond lame to post anything negetive on another team’s blog, but i just have to say: the excuses you guys are making are in no way applicable only to the reds. these are obstacles every team and their fans have to deal with. And the whole ‘give us a winner’ argument doesn’t hold much water because the reds ARE a good team… i’m scared of them and don’t think they’re going anywhere when it comes to contending for the division. You have a good team, support them. You have the pitching to make a serious run, honestly. And thanks to those of you who recognized the cool factor of the miller park experience.

By Stan

June 2, 2009 1:18 PM | Link to this

Number one reason would be the lack of success of the team. Until this year, I was die hard since becoming a fan in the mid 80s. I gave up on believing. I am enjoying watching their success so far this season, but without great joy because of lessons learned last year. Also, I used to go to 2 games a month. Buy the $52 club seats and enjoy a comfy seat, the nicer selection of food. This year, those seats are $85 and yes, all inclusive, but I would never eat and drink $23 at a game and my wife would never come close! our favorite seats are now priced out of our range and, none of the other seats in the ball park are worth their price.

By Craig

June 2, 2009 12:36 PM | Link to this

Despite living in Dayton, my family sees the Reds once a year, but sees the Columbus Clippers 5-6 times a year. We like the intimacy of the smaller minor league parks.

By Marc Gabbard

June 2, 2009 12:26 PM | Link to this

To me, pro baseball is a memory. I remember the big red machine and other teams from the 70’s and before, and what the game has become is just too far removed from what it once was. Yes, it’s too expensive, and traffic is a nightmare. I’m not sure I would go to downtown Cincinnati if the Reds went undefeated. In other words,there are a laundry list of reasons I don’t attend, most of all the fact that baseball today is not what I remember it to be.

By Art

June 2, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this

Can’t believe all the whiny smokers. Wake up. It’s 2009, not 1969. We don’t smoke around children and we don’t smoke in public places anymore because it causes health problems and it effing stinks. There are more non-smokers than smokers now. You are in the minority so deal with it. You choose to smoke. If you can’t go 3 hours without smoking, and it causes you to miss out on the things you used to enjoy, then you have a problem. See a doctor. Don’t blame the majority of people who don’t want to breathe your stink.

By Jesse

June 2, 2009 12:03 PM | Link to this

It’s just too expensive.

By Go Dragons

June 2, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this

Simple. My husband took our 4-year-old -who happens to love baseball - to a Reds game last year. It was a sweltering July day, so when my husband shifted to an EMPTY seat in the shade a few rows back to shield our child from the blazing sun and give him a cold drink, he was told by a stadium employee that he didn’t care how hot our child was and to “go back to his (expletive) seat.” The Reds will never see another dime from us. Go Dayton Dragons! You don’t get any better of a game - or professional environment - than that.

By sam

June 2, 2009 11:03 AM | Link to this

A recent history of collapses and losing. Good seats all gobbled up by businesses/season ticket holders, and scalpers. Poor parking situation( you gotta walk forever). Did I mention losing? Prove to the fans that you can actually contend for a season and they will return.

By scott

June 2, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this

I will go to a game when they come home and votto is healthy.The reason i wont go to more is i want them to put a winning team on the field first.Every owner we have wants the fans to come see a losing team first and spend money with the promise of the team going to the playoffs or seriously contending in a couple of years.Just like this year the team is no better than 500 and they want the fans there.Sorry but ive fell for that one too mant times before.

By LesC

June 2, 2009 8:59 AM | Link to this

Since a majority of Professional baseball owners have denied PETE ROSE reinstatement in baseball, entrance into the Hall of Fame and in general have treated him like excrement, I have and will continue to deny them an opportunity to make a profit off of my dollars. They don’t deserve it. Real baseball is no longer played in the large monuments to past glory that GABP represents. However, it is played on knothole fields and school fields of america and it generally doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to see it. Why support baseballs business owners that don’t care what we think when we can see a more exiting game at the local fastpitch softball tournament?

By sun deck lover

June 2, 2009 8:52 AM | Link to this

I can’t accept the fact that so many people are using price as a reason. Sure a game is going to set you back a few bucks, but so is a day at the waterpark, King’s Island, a county fair, or a movie. I just took 2 of my kids to see Monsters vs. Aliens in 3D and spent nearly $60 not including the candy in my wife’s purse. The consession prices at the game are terrible, and they are even worse in other places. However, you can still take food and drinks in with you. We always take a cooler full of stuff when our children are with us. I hve brought in food from about every fast food joint in town. There is a Subway and a Wendy’s that are both within 3 or 4 blocks from the park. There are also alot of places you can park for free (not going to elaborate, they could disappear quickly) If you are too lazy to walk 10 to 15 minutes,or if you have young children, there are $5 parking garages that are easy to get to. My brother and I are ticket holders who live closer to Cleveland than Cincinnati, so I also don’t like to hearpeople whine about traffic. Even with traffic, how long does it take you to get to Dayton? We usually don’t get home till 2 AM. Money is not the reason. You wanting to do something else with your money is, which is fine. But don’t tell the Reds, or Hal, or your friends that you can’t afford to go when you just don’t feel like driving or watching a losing team -which is understandable in recent years. Think real hard about 2001 and you should be excited right now.

By cincyfan

June 2, 2009 8:21 AM | Link to this

Rephrasing the question with a more positive spin: How, in this sour economy with a team that hasn’t’ won in a decade, can this franchise be on a pace to have one of top 20 best attendance seasons in team history?

By RG

June 2, 2009 8:18 AM | Link to this

My top reasons for not going to GABP: 1) Too expensive in spite of the fact that the Reds price their tickets lower than other clubs do. The total cost to me of attending a game (tix, parking, food, etc.) is way too much for me to bear. The entertainment value proposition is rather poor in my estimation. 2) Miserable parking. Heck, that’s an “event” in and of itself. 3) Horrible traffic; guaranteed to be just plain nasty. 4) Badly spoiled ball players who have forgotten that they are entertainers first and athletes second. As fr as some are concerned, I personally don’t find their behavior in the least entertaining. So… for me, high cost and poor value proposition, awful parking, stressful traffic and spoiled entertainers add up to aggravation, not enjoyment, when going to GAPB to see a Reds game.

By Becky

June 2, 2009 8:05 AM | Link to this

We used to go to the games but, they made it smoke free and now there’s no where to go have a smoke break not to mention if you want to go to one of their restaraunts you can’t smoke.. The chairs are too close together and I feel like a sardine

By Kim

June 2, 2009 4:55 AM | Link to this

Yea, keep it smoke-free, and we smokers will continue to keep our money in our pockets. We used to go to alot of games, when we were allowed to smoke in the old stadium out by the railing. Do you miss our money?? Smokers like to spend and tip well. Now, we party with the Reds, in front of our own TV’s, with great drinks, with other smokers.s,okers.

By DaMang

June 2, 2009 1:11 AM | Link to this

For me,It’s too much of a hassle getting to and from the stadium.I hate that Cincy traffic.Also,I can’t keep track of the players anymore.Seems like as soon as I get a few favorites on the team,they get traded.I’m STILL not over the Reds trading Sean Casey.I could see it if those trades helped,but they are still a .500 club.

By Rick

June 1, 2009 11:15 PM | Link to this

I can’t speak for the Brewers but between injuries, trades and free agency the Reds seem to be making large changes in the team every couple of years and you don’t know who is playing night to night. The pitching staff is set for the first time in awhile but Votto is out and Bruce is struggling so the lineup is still in flux. Hopefully the Reds can keep this group together so fans can root for the same players in the future. Otherwise it is the Seinfeld line about rooting for laundry.

By Reality Check

June 1, 2009 9:52 PM | Link to this

I actually think ALL professional sports can go away. I grew up in Pgh during the 70’s and was a big black and gold fan. Now, due to over-paid crybaby athletes and various strikes, I dont watch any pro or college sports. I didnt watch the superbowl and wont watch the stanley cup. I actually only heard the penguins were in the cup because people at work were talking about it. BTW, do you think a single athlete cares if you come to the game? They still get paid either way. I admit there are some atheltes out there that are actually decent human beings, but they are the silent minority. When professional sports quit catering to people like chris henry and terrell owens, and the wide variety of anti-social millionaires, maybe just maybe, I’ll consider paying ten or fifteen dollars to go see them play.

By Used to respect Reds fans!!

June 1, 2009 8:27 PM | Link to this

Oh, BTW!! Pete Rose is banned from baseball for a VERY good reason. He INTENTIONALLY violated the “no gambling on baseball” rule. MAYBE he could be let into the Hall of Fame AFTER he is dead but NO WAY should it even be considered to let him in while he is alive.

By Used to respect Reds fans!!

June 1, 2009 8:21 PM | Link to this

Well, after reading the post it is obvious why the Reds attendence is poor. Reds fans are whiney cry babies. The Reds managment IS putting a quality product on the feild and they STILL whine and bellyache. Maybe it’s time for MLB to move out of Cinncinnati to sometown that WOULD support the team, like Louisville.

By Pressbox Cigar

June 1, 2009 7:27 PM | Link to this

I must admit I was dumb founded by “Tony’s” post. He listed three African American players that the media treated “unfairly”. Tony, your statment claims that Hal McCoy would then be a racist. Did you know Eric Davis is Hal’s all time favorite red. Do some research and found out what Red’s player bat was presented to him when he went into the BB H of F. You must also be ignorant to Hal’s feelings about Jr and Larkin. Read some old articles, you will never see Jr or Larkin treated differently or unfairly by Hal. Your blanketed statements about racism are unfair and inaccurate. We forgive you for your ignorance, but I think you owe Hal a I’m sorry

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

June 1, 2009 7:26 PM | Link to this

As a running testament to the stupidity of so many fans, on one hand many of you complain about eight straight losing seasons. Then, you say have a winning season and you’ll come back NEXT year. I guess the contradictory logic of enjoying the winning season in progress is beyond your meager capacities as a whining, complaining, lazy and cheap fan base. Admit it: you just want something eternal to gripe about. It’s your only sense of joy.

By Jason

June 1, 2009 6:52 PM | Link to this

Reason? Why continue to support a losing franchise? I say the same about the Bengals. Win and we will come. Keep losing, why should we pay? Really, Professional sports are about winning. You don’t win, why should we pay? Brewers have more fans this season due to last season…period, end of story. If they go into tank, the fans will leave. Why is this always a tough question? Fans respond to winning. Even Bengals are feeling it. One playoff series in how many years, next thing you know, waiting list for season tickets. Now? Tickets are on sale again. Win and they will come. Not one month, not 3 months…give us an entire season. Make playoffs. Show us a reason to believe. Otherwise? Cheaper to watch them on TV.

By Lisa

June 1, 2009 6:08 PM | Link to this

Why drive to CVG when I can listen to Marty on the big One and Fox Ohio having the game on TV. We listen outside in the evening and I have Coronas at myhouse!

By NoSpin

June 1, 2009 5:36 PM | Link to this

“The real “nail in the coffin” for me was “the strike” - that absolutely sucked every bit of joy out of baseball for me and I am DONE. I don’t go to the park, I don’t watch it on TV, I don’t listen to it or follow it in any way. MLB could go away completely and I wouldn’t notice or care.” Except, of course, that you apparently continue to read Hal McCoy….

By rick

June 1, 2009 5:08 PM | Link to this

Love ya Hal, but it is hilarious whenever a radio talk show or blog host brings up attendance and it lights up the phones/comments. Instead of comparing the Reds to other franchises (which is an interesting topic in itself) lets look at Reds attendance historically. Each season at GABP has ranked in the top 25 all time in attendance. * This year’s average is only a couple of hundred per game behind 2008, which finished as the 19th best in the nearly 140 year franchise history, outdrawing any year at Crosley and even some years featuring the hallowed Big Red Machine. * While weeknights so far in ‘09 have been lowly attended for sure, they’ve already had at least two weekend series which drew 90K plus. It is an easy question to ask why something doesn’t happen (ie attending Reds games, which draws out the negative side of human nature)I’d rather look on the bright side and say Reds attendance has only ever been better a handful of years ever. If they ever get a consistant winner, or god forbid a sniff at post season, it’ll only get even better.

By Kim

June 1, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this

I used to go to Riverfront 3-4 times a year and was a HUGE fan. I hate the GABP - everything about it is a hassle. The real “nail in the coffin” for me was “the strike” - that absolutely sucked every bit of joy out of baseball for me and I am DONE. I don’t go to the park, I don’t watch it on TV, I don’t listen to it or follow it in any way. MLB could go away completely and I wouldn’t notice or care.

By LiedTo

June 1, 2009 5:01 PM | Link to this

Why I don’t go to games? I was lied to. I agreed as a taxpayer to pony up $200+ million to build a privately-owned business a new stadium. I was promised the owner of that privately-owned business would, in turn, bring me a winner. That could have been accomplished for much less out of the owner’s pocket than the $200+ mil the taxpayers paid out of theirs. There is no way — none — that any reasonably intelligent baseball person could have thought the Reds had a snowball’s chance in Hades of winning — not competing, I was promised a WINNER — when GABP opened with the roster they broke camp with that year. And nothing has changed since. I’m smart enough to understand how baseball works. I’m smart enough to know that MLB doesn’t allow you to buy a team to begin with if you can’t afford to run that team. It just doesn’t happen. Lindner is/was worth more than the Steinbrenners. For a lot less than George had to pay every year to compete in his division, Carl could have competed in this one. He chose not to. He lied. Fans have to get past this idea that if the Reds were to, say, take on an extra $20 million in salary commitments right now for this season alone, that Castellini would be forced to eat bologna for lunch every day because of it. That simply isn’t the case. If that $20 mil was the difference between being able to make ends meet and not make them meet, he wouldn’t be owning the Reds right now. He simply wouldn’t have been able to pass the scrutiny of his books to from baseball to be able to buy the team in the first place. I’m tired of rich owners using money as an excuse for not wanting to win. Others have said it well. Milwaukee and New York have owners who are baseball fans. They WANT to win. And it shows. Until the Reds ownership shows the same commitment, well, I’m still a little sore from being bent over and rode hard to the tune of $200+ million for that danged stadium that is absolutely nothing special at all.

By CHRIS

June 1, 2009 4:50 PM | Link to this

ONE REASON AND ONE REASON ONLY,BECAUSE PETE ROSE IS NOT IN THE HALL OF FAME WHERE HE RIGHTFULLY BELONGS FOR WHAT HE DID AS A PLAYER. BUSH WAS A DRUNK, CLINTON DIDN’T INHALE AND OBAMA DID COCAINE AND ALL BECAME PRESIDENT OF THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. WHEN PETE IS IN THE HALL I WILL SPEND MY MONEY TO SUPPORT OVERPAID BALL PLAYERS AND GO WATCH THE REDS.

By mdccclxix

June 1, 2009 4:33 PM | Link to this

Hal, I see you’ve welcomed Jack to your boards. I’m sorry about that. Haha, I love BrewCrewLew getting bent out of shape. Bad form Lew!

By Rob

June 1, 2009 4:32 PM | Link to this

Hal, I think you are right on, unfortunately. We are casting it many factors and avoiding the real problem - the fans. Cincinnati just does not have very good fans.

By Dale

June 1, 2009 4:31 PM | Link to this

I don’t to the games because of prices. Even though I can afford to go to a game I think the palyers make too much so I do not supporting them. I do not believe the government should dictate wages but I believe the free market should.

By BrewCrewLew

June 1, 2009 4:14 PM | Link to this

The Reds have a superstar… Brandon Phillips. Oh, wait…. sorry, Brandon only has the MOUTH of a superstar. Dumb F*k.

By Jack

June 1, 2009 3:37 PM | Link to this

Retired from job in Dayton three years ago. Now live in Florida. Even so, I have not been to a major league game since THE STRIKE. We had (2) 17 game sets on Dragon tickets from 2000 - 2005. Enjoyed seeing a few Dragons progress to the big club. Most have now been traded away so it’s hard to read the box score we I don’t see any names I know. Where’s Homer Bailey?

By Michael

June 1, 2009 3:27 PM | Link to this

…why CANT you just be an “American”?

By Michael

June 1, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this

TONY TONY TONY. Why is race always an issue when you think it will benefit you? Why do you have to be an “African” American…why can you just be an “American”

By Tom

June 1, 2009 3:18 PM | Link to this

The Reds have made bad decision after bad decision for the last decade. GABP is boring, uncomfortable, and overall one of the worst of the newer ballparks. The stadium should have been at Broadway Commons. The management decisions, the player/personnel decisions, the public relations decisions have all been terrible for the last decade or more. It’s simply not worth it to drive the 2 1/2 hours round trip, pay for parking, pay for tickets, pay for gas, and get home at 1 AM to watch a so-so team with a retread manager in a boring ballpark with bad views. Besides all of that, in today’s economic climate, the Reds have no realistic chance at winning the World Series, so what’s the point?

By Paul

June 1, 2009 3:15 PM | Link to this

I think there are four reasons: 1. The other cities mentioned have superstar players (Pujols, Braun, Fielder, etc.) 2. There is a huge minor league following in towns like Dayton, Lexington and Louisville. 3. There are other things to do in Cincinnati that go to a baseball game. 4. As bad as the Bengals are, they have a decent following and those tickets are really expensive, tapping fans out for the year.

By Paul

June 1, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this

I think there are four reasons: 1. The other cities mentioned have superstar players (Pujols, Braun, Fielder, etc.) 2. There is a huge minor league following in towns like Dayton, Lexington and Louisville. 3. There are other things to do in Cincinnati that go to a baseball game. 4. As bad as the Bengals are, they have a decent following and those tickets are really expensive, tapping fans out for the year.

By Barry

June 1, 2009 3:13 PM | Link to this

its funny I was just thinking about this yesterday, how Dayton sells out every game, granted much smaller stadium, but still that team is almost always awful day in and day out. For me living in Middletown I think the biggest problem with going to a Reds game is traffic between here and there. As someone mentioned Parking is also an issue. I think if the stadium were further north more people would go, maybe thats just me.

By Shiny Kefka

June 1, 2009 3:05 PM | Link to this

I’ve made it out to 3 games this season so far, and plan on going to a few more. I live in the Indianapolis area and driving around 2 hrs to get to cincinnati and then drive home and be up at 6am to start my day isn’t very appeasing for me to make it to a weekday game. I love the experience of GABP and would love to go to every game. I go to all the Bats games when they are here in Indy. Maybe I should just suck it up and start going to weekday games.

By Albert the Great

June 1, 2009 3:00 PM | Link to this

The Reds cant draw because they stink..try to get a Redbird ticket..its pretty difficult..Phillips/Votto=didnt he just quit the team..I wouldnt blame him..thats a sorry team..what a teammate he is..decent pitching and those two players..do you guys respect Votto..I hope Harang pitches..hes a waste also…blogcop..go support Jamnish dickerson nix..and have fun

By Ann

June 1, 2009 2:41 PM | Link to this

I became a Reds fan when I was a teenage and have been for 16+ years. I cheer them on even if their season isn’t good, I even converted my husband into a Reds fan. I don’t necessarily follow them to watch one player or another, just a fan of the organization as a whole. To be honest, I have only attended 5 games in my life. As a teenage, nobody in my family was a fan so there was nobody to go with. As an adult, I find myself thrown into f/t college schedule, f/t job, work schedule conflits with my husband, 2 kids who are in little league themselves, 4-H projects and meetings and the list goes on and on. We are planning to attend a game here in a couple of weeks as part of our vacation. Cost I’m sure can be a concern for some but It wasn’t necessarily for us. Our problem its just finding the time. I don’t have to worry about finding time with technology as TiVo’s and DVR’s I can record the shows, watch them from home on my high def. While folding laundry or cleaning up the kitchen - I also get to listen to the broadcasters from home such as Marty, Thom, George & Chris - you don’t get that at the ballpark. I would love to go to more games, I enjoy the experience but to lose 3 hours roundtrip on the drive alone - well I just don’t have that kind of time unfortunately. But I will still wear my Reds gear and cheer them on from home.

By Ann

June 1, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this

I became a Reds fan when I was a teenage and have been for 16+ years. I cheer them on even if their season isn’t good, I even converted my husband into a Reds fan. I don’t necessarily follow them to watch one player or another, just a fan of the organization as a whole. To be honest, I have only attended 5 games in my life. As a teenage, nobody in my family was a fan so there was nobody to go with. As an adult, I find myself thrown into f/t college schedule, f/t job, work schedule conflits with my husband, 2 kids who are in little league themselves, 4-H projects and meetings and the list goes on and on. We are planning to attend a game here in a couple of weeks as part of our vacation. Cost I’m sure can be a concern for some but It wasn’t necessarily for us. Our problem its just finding the time. I don’t have to worry about finding time with technology as TiVo’s and DVR’s I can record the shows, watch them from home on my high def. While folding laundry or cleaning up the kitchen - I also get to listen to the broadcasters from home such as Marty, Thom, George & Chris - you don’t get that at the ballpark. I would love to go to more games, I enjoy the experience but to lose 3 hours roundtrip on the drive alone - well I just don’t have that kind of time unfortunately. But I will still wear my Reds gear and cheer them on from home.

By Jason

June 1, 2009 2:33 PM | Link to this

You may not want to hear that it’s because of cost but that is the way it is for many people. I used to go to 10-12 games a year back in the 90s. Now I am lucky to make it to 2 or 3. It is difficult to justify going more than that when you are plunking down $100+(tickets, parking, food) every trip down there to take the whole family.

By Scott

June 1, 2009 2:10 PM | Link to this

Great column and great feedback. I brought my family from Milwaukee last September, and we were so impressed with the city and the ballpark. We found the pricing to be similar to Miller Park. I really believe winning cures everything, but we were surpised to see so many empty seats for a weekend series. We were expecting a sell-out for a team out of it, but the place was near empty. MLB can benefit from having the Reds back in contention…great tradition and good city. Oh, and as far as nightlife, I can see the complaint, but there were a number of bars nearby and the Montgomery Inn was only a mile away (delish). We will definitely be back.

By Ken

June 1, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this

Everyone has their reasons for not attending games at GABP. Lets face it, no one goes because the majority of fans in this area are sick of the losing and the lies from ownership. There is NO commitment to winning by Reds management. Anyone who thinks there is are being fooled. If the Reds were serious about winning they would be agressively trying to trade for Jake Peavy. The Reds will never make the financial commitment to winning like every other team in the central division does sans Pittsburgh. All we hear is excuse after excuse why the Reds can’t sign this guy or that guy. As long as that continues, this team will continue to play in an empty ballpark. I have not attended a game in 3 years. Before that I would attend at least 15-20 games a season. I got older and wiser. I am not fooled by the Reds snake oil salesmen and neither are most fans with half a brain.

By jim

June 1, 2009 1:59 PM | Link to this

It costs too much and it’s not fun to sit in front of a drunk who shouts obsceneties at the players, managers, umps, fans, beer vendors, etc., etc.

By Scott

June 1, 2009 1:31 PM | Link to this

For me it is definatly the cost. Major sports, either pro or college, is the worst value for your entertainment dollar. For what a game would cost my family of four, for 3 hours of entertainment, I could put another $100 and buy a Kings Island season pass for my familyfamilycost my f four . I

By mdccclxix

June 1, 2009 1:19 PM | Link to this

Um, the complainers step right up when given the forum. Every one of the complainers on here would stop complaining, put it all aside, if the Reds just made the playoffs and were on a 3 year stretch like the Brewers. Brewer fans pontificating on here about themselves is backhanded. We don’t need to be the Brewers, we’ve got the rings to prove it, and we’ve got just as good of a city, ownership, etc.

By Dennis

June 1, 2009 1:17 PM | Link to this

I have been a Reds fan all my life, and have never gone to more than one or two games a year. Being a fan doesn’t mean you have to be in the seats. I watch or listen to the entirety of every game on TV/radio and have done so for years. That said, when you have responsibilities like a spouse, children, pets and/or a job, and you live two hours away, the eight-hour time committment is too much to do more than once or twice a year. If I’m watching a game on TV and something more important comes up, I can record it.

By Bob540

June 1, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this

I don’t attend Reds games for the same reason I don’t attend much else: No one to go with. When I was young, I’d go to games with my father or grandfather, and later I’d go with a buddy or a nephew. Now, I have no one who shares my interests or has the time to go. Attending alone is not my idea of fun, whether it’s a game or a movie.

By Cort

June 1, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this

I quit going because the Reds have no major name attraction to see. If I want to see a minor league team play I will just go to Dayton and pay over half the price.

By Cait

June 1, 2009 12:37 PM | Link to this

Jack, I agree. Tony’s argument doesn’t hold water. Brandon Phillips is a fan favorite, Larkin was a favorite, etc. Dusty is a so-so manager, but he isn’t getting nearly the criticism that Ray Knight or Bob Boone deservedly got. Those were bad managers! It’s about winning, not race.

By Marvin

June 1, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this

Two Words: Salary Cap!

By Lora

June 1, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this

I have been to 3 games this season. I will attend another game or two later in the season (and will be seeing the Reds at the Nationals’ park in June). Why not more than 5 or 6 games? Cost IS one factor… even though Cincy might not be any more expensive than Milwaukee or St Louis, by the time you add up the cost of gas, parking, DECENT seats (why would I pay $5 to sit where I can barely see ANYTHING when I can watch on my high-def TV at home for free?), and food/drinks, the cost really adds up. The weather is, too, in the heat of summer. Mostly, however, it is just plain depressing to lose year after year and to not know from one game to the next which team is going to show up… the one that can score 5 or 6 runs a game or the one that is lucky to score at all. That being said, however, there is nothign like the excitement of a game like the one on Mother’s Day. The Reds ultimately lost in extra-innings, but it was VERY exciting… and you CANNOT match the excitement sitting at home watching it on TV. Even if fans can only afford a game or two a year, if EVERY true fan came to 2 games, attendance would still be much better than it is now.

By Marvin

June 1, 2009 12:28 PM | Link to this

Two words: Salary Cap!

By sun deck lover

June 1, 2009 12:15 PM | Link to this

TONY,I can’t speak for everyone, but I don’t give a sh^! whether Baker is white, black, or neon green. I only care about how he manages. Bob Boone was the worst manager I have ever seen. You seriously had to wonder at times if he had ever played or even watched baseball before, and he was way white. And don’t think for a minute that he was not called out for it on 700. Eric Davis was my favorite ball player when I was young, and he is well appreciated and respected by all of the Cincinnati media and the organization. Why do you think he was at spring training, affirmative action? And they have not had an official team captain since Barry Larkin. There might be a chance too that people cheer for Rosalas, or Freel, or Oester, because they bust their rear ends playing the game, not just because they are white. I am going to continue to b***h about Baker every time he does not bunt with 1st and 2nd, down a run in the 8th on the road. If that makes me a racist, so be it. Also,MICHAEL, I have been to Pissburgh a few times. Acroos the street means a 30 second walk to me. I would not say that Paul Brown Stadium was across the street and it is probabaly closer. But, I come from a very small town.

By BrewFan

June 1, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this

First of all, I want to thank the REds fans who came to Milwaukee this weekend to watch MLB. WE enjoyed having you here and hope you will come back soon. Why arethe Brewers filling the seat at Miller Park? Because it is a GREAT MLB venue. The tailgating, amenities, roof, are all factors. I don;t know anything about the owner of the REds, but I can tell you that the people of Milwaukee and Wisconsin are BLESSED to have such a great owner who is willing to take risks investing in players that have helped the Brewers blend their farm-grown talent with proven veterans. Next weekend, this Brewer fan will be flying to Atlanta to take in a couple of games at Turner Field. Later this summer, we hoped to make the trip to Cincy to see a couple of games. Reading the comments by the locals, I’m not so sure now…

By Jack

June 1, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this

Just hate when idiots bring race into the picture. Were the Reds only drawing 12,000 during the Big Red Machine days? Quick answer, no, that team had Concepcion, Morgan, Perez, Foster, Geronimo, and Griffey. Six of eight regular starters were not white. Yet, they were still being cheered. Griffey, Larkin, Davis ran out of town…how about Dunn, Coffey, Milton, being run out of town? How about people wanting to get rid of Arroyo? Argument holds no weight. Fans will go watch a winning team. Root for winning players. If the Reds are still in contention come August, fans will come out. But recently, the Reds have started out decent, only to quickly fade.

By Scott

June 1, 2009 11:37 AM | Link to this

I have been once, April 25th vs the Braves, due to my daughter getting straight A’s in school. Seats were in the last row of the stadium (all the way up) which while not bad doesn’t leave a good impression when the seats are discounted as a reward. I would like to go more often but only have a part-time job at the moment, and unfortunately can’t afford to go as often as I’d like. I have been eyeing some Thursday business day specials as I am off every Thursday…so we’ll see.

By Charles

June 1, 2009 11:32 AM | Link to this

because these are Reds “fans” you’re dealing with Hal… they dont understand the season goes all the way to October… Reds fans care only about opening day and then they quit following their team… The game i went to vs. Houston drew a whopping 9,800. Wright State’s Nutter Center got 12,000 for the Butler game! The Reds and their “fans” are a joke.

By Pete

June 1, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this

I’ll never understand Dusty Baker’s managerial skills. Vs. Milw, no bunting runner over yet Brandon tries to bunt himself on next inning? Was at a SF game he managed a years ago, men on base one out, has the pitcher hit into a double play, then brings in a new pitcher for the next inning? Insane. And don’t get the Cubs fans started…

By Wedge

June 1, 2009 11:28 AM | Link to this

Brewers try fan-safety text service Have you ever been upset with a boorish fan inside Miller Park? Sure you have. Now the Milwaukee Brewers have unveiled a new service where you can quietly and instantly fink on the fan with your cellphone. Fans can report misconduct by texting BREWERS, followed by a space, then their seat/ballpark location and specific concern to 41513. After the message is received, Miller Park personnel will monitor and send a staff person to investigate. “Media and fan surveys already indicate that the Miller Park fan experience is one of the best in baseball, but this text message service offers our fans another amenity to enhance the atmosphere,” said Rick Schlesinger, executive vice president for business operations. “We want to ensure that all of our customers enjoy their visit to Miller Park and are free of concerns related to fan misconduct.” The program is called “Play Nice - Be a Friendly Fan.”

By tony

June 1, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this

As an African American i was excited to go to the Red’s game with my son and daughter. But then i began hearing the media and fans bash Dusty Baker a three time manager of the year for no other reason than Dusty baker is black and then i remembered why i dont like baseball and why Eric Davis, Barry larkin and Ken Griffey jr. who are my favorite players didn’t get a fair shot/ bigoted reporting from the majority white media and fan base of the Reds. What a shame, i just wish the media could find a black Adam Rosales to hang onto.

By tony

June 1, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this

As an African American i was excited to go to the Red’s game with my son and daughter. But then i began hearing the media and fans bash Dusty Baker a three time manager of the year for no other reason than Dusty baker is black and then i remembered why i dont like baseball and why Eric Davis, Barry larkin and Ken Griffey jr. who are my favorite players didn’t get a fair shot/ bigoted reporting from the majority white media and fan base of the Reds. What a shame, i just wish the media could find a black Adam Rosales to hang onto.

By Wedge

June 1, 2009 11:23 AM | Link to this

Go BREWERS!!

By Wedge

June 1, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this

Discount tickets went on sale at Miller Park at Monday morning. A line formed to get a deal to see the first place Brewers. At the beginning of the month, Brewers announced that, for every victory in May, one dollar would come off the price of a twenty eight dollar Loge outfield ticket for any game of the Colorado Rockies series from June 9-11. With Sunday’s victory over the Cincinnati Reds, the Brewers won 18 games in May. That means those Loge tickets will be going for ten dollars.

By Pat

June 1, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this

I don’t go because I live 1200 miles away. But if I lived just 10 miles closer I’d be there every night.

By Clint

June 1, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this

I go to as many games as I can in a year, however it is difficult since I live in New Orleans. I try to see them in Houston at least once a year.

By brewer fan

June 1, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this

When the Brewers were bad, there weren’t many fans at their games either. Attendance often lags a year or two behind the improvement on the field. If the Reds can sustain this year, attendance will pick up next year. And if they keep it up next year, it’ll improve again. Attendance doesn’t just turnaround overnight, but it has everything to do with turning it around on the field. The reasons I’m reading for Reds fans not going to games are similar to what we Brewer fans were feeling before things turned around and fans started believe. I think it’s rather simple, really.

By SIN

June 1, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this

I live close to 2 hours away. I used to go to 15-20 games when the were at Riverfront. I went to 3 games at GABP. I hate it. The seats are smaller and the rows are closer together. After that long a drive, we are hungry when we get there. Feeding 4 at the ball park is unrealistic. The last time i went, my neice got 7 autographs from the Pirates. None from a Reds player. I have started to go to college and minor league games. They are quite entertaining and so much cheaper. They have events and special at every game to draw in the crowds. You can practically talk to every player on both teams. I will just stay home and either watch them on tv or listen to Marty Brennaman on the radio and spend my money locally for quality entertainment. Plus, Dusty Baker was a HUGE mistake as a manager. He has a history or making good teams mediocre.

By PaulyOH

June 1, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this

Main reason for me is time. I work nights. Also, the ballpark experience isn’t enjoyable, for two key reasons. 1. The blasting (and annoying) music and sound effects. (“Everybody clap yo hands!” Ugh. “Woo hoo, WOO-HOO!” Ugh.) It’s so loud, you can clearly hear it on the TV. 2. Fans don’t actually PAY ATTENTION to the game anymore. It’s like going to a Dragons game! And since people don’t pay attention, you get idiots in field level seats constantly getting up and going to the concession, bathroom, etc, during pitches and blocking your view. Or thet constant vendors come along and block, distract. It’s terrible. I went to PNC Park last year, and fans in Pittsburgh had enough sense to wait until the half inning to get up from their seat. In fact, I think the scoreboard had a message up asking people to not get up during innings. Why doesn’t GABP do this? And the lack of GOOD seats in that lousy ballpark is a rant for another day.

By MilwBrewCrewLew

June 1, 2009 11:02 AM | Link to this

Dave, can you REALLY take your own beer in the stadium??

By hmm

June 1, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this

a) price.. yeah they have $5 seats but they aren’t better then watching in HD. plus food and parking. b) traffic on 75 north bound (why i quit going). i came to a dead stop games i went to this year. 2 hours to get back to dayton. not worth it. c)safety. i don’t like being downtown after dark. just a fact. d) dusty baker. e) losing.

By hmm

June 1, 2009 10:53 AM | Link to this

a) price.. yeah they have $5 seats but they aren’t better then watching in HD. plus food and parking. b) traffic on 75 north bound (why i quit going). i came to a dead stop games i went to this year. 2 hours to get back to dayton. not worth it. c)safety. i don’t like being downtown after dark. just a fact. d) dusty baker. e) losing.

By Dave

June 1, 2009 10:44 AM | Link to this

You people who complain about the price of going to the game just crack me up. Great American has $5, $7 and $13 tickets. If you can’t afford that you probably should not be spending any money at all and perhaps be finding a second job. And besides that, if you will on REDS.COM under the security section in the ballpark menu, you will see that you are allowed to take in bags and softsided coolers. I always end up taking my own hotdogs (wrapped in alluminum foil to preserve heat), bags of peanuts, and my own beer and pop (must be in plastic bottles and unopened). My buddy and I can go to a game for less than $25 for both of us and that includes the food so there should be no excuse for not going to game becuase of high ballpark prices. You just have to know how to beat the system.

By Wedge

June 1, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this

Brewers’ TV ratings are soaring By Don Walker of the Journal Sentinel Jun. 1, 2009 8:32 a.m. SportsBusiness Journal reports this week that, while ratings for Major League Baseball telecasts are basically flat through the first two months of the season, the ratings for some individual teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers, are doing quite well. According to Nielsen Media Research data, the Brewers’ average rating is 7.89, up 12.6% compared with last year. Overall, the FS Wisconsin broadcasts are reaching 71,000 households, up 14.5%. The ratings are for games played through May 20, compared with games played through May 21, 2008. In late April, the Brewers and FS Wisconsin extended their television rights deal. While viewers are tuning in at home, Brewers’ attendance is healthy as well. Through Sunday, the Brewers have drawn 934,730 fans over 25 home games, for an average of 37,389. At the same time last year, the Brewers had drawn 845,219, an average of 33,490 fans. There have been 12 sellouts so far this season.

By Cincyhoopsfan

June 1, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this

It is very simple why I no longer go to games, they won’t let me smoke my cigar as I watch the game. I live about 10 minutes from the ballpark and used to go to between 30-40 games a year. I used to stand behind my seats, smoke my cigar and then head to my seats around the 5th inning. Now I sit at home, prepare myself a little feast, enjoy a cigar as I watch the game on TV. If I want to go to a sports bar I head to Northern Ky. If they wanted a smoker like me to come to the game they would allow me to smoke as I watched the game.

By Doco

June 1, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this

Two reasons; not good enough, and not a big enough party. The money reason is a croc. As the Boss said, “I’m just trying to find a reason to believe”. People don’t believe in the Reds right now. In ‘06 they contended early and faded. Other than that there hasn’t been a playoff caliber team in 10 years. And in the biggest division in baseball, fans don’t believe the Reds will surpass the Cards, Cubs, Brewers. And the biggest reason…Miller Park and Wrigley are parties. You need the CASUAL FANS to be able to fill the seats every night. Whether it’s tailgating or surrounding the stadium with bars, it needs to be a social event as well as a baseball game. My buddy who’s a Tigers fan just went to the Reds-Brewers Friday and is planning to go back for a vacation. He said at least half the stadium was 20-somethings who were tailgating before the game. And at the same time the stadium was very kid-friendly. Drunk young people will annoy the purists, but it will fill the seats. It sounds like the Brewers don’t have to announce a “Single’s Night” at the ballpark.

By Fieldawinningteam

June 1, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this

something from the Milwaukee online paper: Brewers’ TV ratings are soaring By Don Walker of the Journal Sentinel Jun. 1, 2009 8:32 a.m. SportsBusiness Journal reports this week that, while ratings for Major League Baseball telecasts are basically flat through the first two months of the season, the ratings for some individual teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers, are doing quite well. According to Nielsen Media Research data, the Brewers’ average rating is 7.89, up 12.6% compared with last year. Overall, the FS Wisconsin broadcasts are reaching 71,000 households, up 14.5%. The ratings are for games played through May 20, compared with games played through May 21, 2008. In late April, the Brewers and FS Wisconsin extended their television rights deal. While viewers are tuning in at home, Brewers’ attendance is healthy as well. Through Sunday, the Brewers have drawn 934,730 fans over 25 home games, for an average of 37,389. At the same time last year, the Brewers had drawn 845,219, an average of 33,490 fans. There have been 12 sellouts so far this season.

By Fieldawinningteam

June 1, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this

Cincinnati will not be as good a team as Milwaukee… they can’t… the Reds do not have the farm system the Brewers have. And someone mentioned ownership…. Milwaukee’s new owner is a FAN of baseball… he didn’t buy into the team only for an investment…

By mikeh

June 1, 2009 10:27 AM | Link to this

Don’t attend and for a long time didn’t listen on radio or TV because I didn’t know the players. They came and went so quickly with losing teams that I lost connection. The young talent and better management is going to change that, people will re-connect and start to care again.

By steve f

June 1, 2009 10:22 AM | Link to this

Comparing the Reds and Bengals is like apple and oranges. The Bengals play once a week at 1:00 on a Sunday and half are there just to party. Going to Reds games in downtown can be a pain. If you get off a 5:00 fight traffic home then turnaround and fight traffic back down you miss the first two innings. Maybe they should go back to 7:35 start times. games

By Brewer Fan

June 1, 2009 10:22 AM | Link to this

Just a few comments of baseball in Milwaukee and Cincy. Both cities are “good baseball towns”. I haven’t been to GABP, so I’m not sure about the experience or nuances. However, I have been to Miller Park and County Stadium thousands of times. And I have seen the worst along with the best. These are my opinions on why the Brewers are drawing so well: Winning breeds attendance. For years, the Brewers were cursed by the extremely pitiful ownership of the Selig family. Neither Bud nor his daughter Wendy knew how to put together a competitive team. The late 70s and early 80s were aberrations. They compounded the misery by hiring the absolute worst general manager in the entire history of any sports, Sal Bando. The seats were empty. The team was out of the pennant race by early february every year. The Brewers had a succession of miserable managers. Poor drafting. Stupid free agent pick-ups just to say they were doing something. The Brewers made every opposing pitcher look like the next Cy Young. Base running blunders, fielding gaffes, comic line-ups and… the strikeouts. The Brewers had them all and more. The team was an insult to baseball fans. The new ownership. What a difference. Mark Attanasio is spending some money whereas Bud and family squeezed the buffalo off the nickel. The general manager, Doug Melvin, has done a much better job than his predecessors. Although, in my personal opinion, he is not the greatest, but very good. And the scouting department has been great leading to the current team. Most of the line-up is made up of “home-grown” players. But, I could go on for hours, which I’m sure many baseball fans could. A big part of the attendance resurgence in Milwaukee is Miller Park. It’s really a fun place to go to a game and it really ROCKS when the Brewers are rollin’. There’s the tailgating experience outside the park where hundreds of people grill out regardless of the weather. People are playing catch and everyone is in a great mood. The design of the stadium is outstanding with it’s retro Ebbets Field look. Easy to walk to from the abundance of parking right around the stadium (a little expensive, but someone has to pay Todd Coffey’s salary). Easy in and easy out too. Once you get inside, it’s a myriad of sight and sound sensations. A bee hive of activity. Of course, the beer and hot dogs are priced too high. But when you can see a major league baseball game for, in some cases, as low as $10… When you first approach the field from the behind the plate area, it’s magnificent. And, you can walk all the way around the field. Again, I could go on and on. Best of all, every game we go to, we have a feeling that the Brewers can win. And when they do (even during the game when they make a big play), it’s like a huge Brewer family get together where strangers hug strangers, high fives are given to other happy fans that just happen to be there and the rush of 40,000 + fans wildly cheering is incredibly exhilarating. It’s a truly fun adventure going to the ballgame now. Plus… winning a lot is really cool too. Now the Reds… sure seems like they have the pitching. But I don’t know enough about the team to have an educated opinion about them. Never been a huge Dusty Baker fan. Anyway, Cincinnati is and always been a very good baseball town/city (your choice). And I wish the Reds the very best of luck… against the Cubs, Cards, Pirates and Astros. Thanks for reading my comments.

By blogcopwatcher

June 1, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this

Blogcopwatcher June 1, 2009 10:14 AM I don’t go to many games. I’d be concerned I would buy a ticket and get a seat next to Fat Albutt, Jocketty Strap, or some other low-life scum lurking in the ramps of GABP. Home TV is much safer; and you won’t catch a disease of any kind from unsavory characters like the aforementioned.When I do go, I always have my seat sanitized, in case Fat Albert was sitting there previously.

By Ramzi

June 1, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this

Too expensive? You guys are crazy. $5 seats. You can bring your own food and drinks (water, soda, etc). The team is doing well, and would be better if Votto was healthy, and he will be. Support your team! It’s easy to park for $2 at the Levee and walk across the bridge. Parking is pretty darn easy. It’s fun, with friends, with family, with business contacts. There are no excuses…just go!

By Blogcopwatcher

June 1, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this

I don’t go to many games. I’d be concerned I would buy a ticket and get a seat next to Fat Albutt, Jocketty Strap, or some other low-life scum lurking in the ramps of GABP. Home TV is much safer; and you won’t catch a disease of any kind from unsavory characters like the aforementioned.When I do go, I always have my seat sanitized, in case Fat Albert was sitting there previously.

By ZachinWrigleyville

June 1, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this

If you want to find an excuse, you can find one. Either you’re a devoted Reds Fan, or you’re not. Sadly, the latter is becoming much too prevalent in recent years…

By Michael

June 1, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this

Sun Deck Lover. She Steelers are across the street, not across town

By oldmanlincoln

June 1, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this

I suspect the economy and high ticket and hot dog prices.

By Thomas Q.

June 1, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this

For those making the excuse of “win and we’ll come next year,” be informed that the Brewers drew 3 million fans last year and 2.8 million in 2007 (not to mention had double-digit sellout streaks multiple times) - all this before they made the playoffs. I’m a Milwaukee fan, I’ve been to GABP… there’s nothing wrong with the stadium or the prices, I just simply think it’s the location. Downtown stadiums in second-tier cities like Milwaukee and Cincy just won’t work unless you have a winner. Fortunately, Milwaukee figured that out early on and kept Miller Park on the old County Stadium grounds. But when the Reds start winning again, the location won’t matter - the fans will return.

By Wedge

June 1, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this

Face it, the Reds will never be as good as the Milwaukee Brewers.

By DG..AP

June 1, 2009 9:59 AM | Link to this

Only a couple of posts stating how many games the poster attends or does not attend. MRL, Do you attend Reds games and do you pay for it?

By Michael

June 1, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this

Price Price Price. Why should I pay a fortune to watch millionaires who dont give it their all?

By sun deck lover

June 1, 2009 9:48 AM | Link to this

As a season ticket holder who does attend games, maybe I am not qualified to answer, but my guess is POSTSEASON. People can still be loyal fans for relatively nothing thanks to on-line coverage and Fox televising all but a dozen games. Until fans start to feel extra games on the horizon, why drive, fight for parking? 8 seasons of losing will do that for alot of people. look at Pittsburgh - nicer ball park, cheaper prices, no fans, but the Steelers seem to do pretty well across town. I wonder? BTW Junquesheik, if you think that the Reds are charging NY prices, you really owe it to yourself to research prices of other cities.

By Jeff

June 1, 2009 9:41 AM | Link to this

I live in Milwaukee and we heard all of the same excuses in the past from fans. We now have an owner that fans love, and they know that he is REALLY committed to winning. Tailgating is a huge part of going to a Brewer game . Without the large parking lots attached to Miller Park, the Brewers would not draw near as well. Make no mistake, the roof on the stadium is also a huge help. It makes the April and May games comfortable for families. Last, Milwaukee is genuinely a baseball town. I am not sure how it got this way, and it is hard to describe, but people here love baseball, and it gets past down through the generations.

By Cait

June 1, 2009 9:39 AM | Link to this

Cost of parking too high? We park at Sawyer Pt. for $5. I paid $15 at an Indians game, and as much at an OSU football game. I only get to 1-2 games a year primarily because I live near Columbus and work M-F and weekends fill up quickly with chores, errands and family stuff. To Junquesheik, who said they have to stop charging NYC prices … Have you been to a game in NYC? We paid $65 for OF seats at Yankee Stadium last year for seats that are about $20 in Cincy. Food costs were higher, too. The only thing cheaper was transportation - a $2 subway ticket for a ride that dropped us off at the stadium. Of course, the airfare to get there cost a few hundred $$. I think the reason is that Reds country is spread out over a farther patch of real estate than other cities and of course, the economy hurts. But if the Reds can start winning consistently, fans will come back.

By jocketty

June 1, 2009 9:35 AM | Link to this

I can drive to Louisville and watch AAA baseball there..why do I want to drive another hour and a half and watch another AAA team..guys like Dickerson, Janish, Rosales, Nix..I can see that talent in the Ville

By Mike from Milwaukee

June 1, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this

Do you have the ability to tailgate at GABP? I think that is the reason why the Brewers always draw so well, that and winning. When the Brewers win, Miller Park is sold out. It very much is a social event now to go to a Brewers game. There are plenty of young ladies there, everyone is drinking and having a good time three hours before the game even starts. I think tailgating is a HUGE part of attendance.

By Billy

June 1, 2009 9:29 AM | Link to this

So the last series was an exception. It’s not rocket science that the Reds have been awful at home this year.

By Nati

June 1, 2009 9:22 AM | Link to this

I grew up in Cincinnati, now I am here in Dayton. I usually make it to about 20 or so home games a year. I like to make it to 4 or 5 away series a year too. I was in Milwaukee this week and their fans show up 4 hours early and tailgate. When is the last time that happened in Cincinnati? People go to Bengals games becuase they tailgate before, so watching a horrible team doesnt hurt so much. Going to games in Milwaukee is a fun experience, Reds fans show up in the third inning. Enough Said.

By Robert Turner

June 1, 2009 9:21 AM | Link to this

Cost, nothing else. Think about what you get for what you pay. Its not worth it. Pretty simple really.

By Wedge

June 1, 2009 9:11 AM | Link to this

Billy, the Reds just LOST 3 to the Crew in Milwaukee… that’s ON THE ROAD, dude. Did you just Wake up?

By Wedge

June 1, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this

well, maybe the Milwaukee Brewers are just more fun to watch than the Rds.

By Billy

June 1, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this

The Reds lose at home and win on the road, number one. Number two, beers and hot dogs cost enough to break the bank. Finally, it’s hard not to just listen to Marty or watch the game in HD.

By judy

June 1, 2009 8:53 AM | Link to this

It takes too long to get there. Used to be quicker to get to Riverfront, but parking is so bad now. It takes about 2 hours to get to a game—an hour to drive it and an hour to park and walk to your seat. Plus it is very expensive.

By Aaron

June 1, 2009 8:43 AM | Link to this

Hal, maybe it’s because of the same reason(s) you wouldn’t go if you didn’t work for DDN and have a personal assistant to drive you to the games. Some of us have real jobs….

By TI

June 1, 2009 8:40 AM | Link to this

I get to about 10 Reds games and about 10 games at other stadiums. The Reds blow it by doing nothing outside the stadium like at Fenway, and so few Reds players sign autographs. Last summer I went to one of the Red Sox games and there was Manny Ramirez signing autographs but none of the Reds players. I was at GABP three weeks ago and only Micah Owings signed. The Reds should require players to get out there!

By n50

June 1, 2009 8:21 AM | Link to this

WOW! What more can be said? It seems, that is, what I can gather from all this is that the Reds suck both as a team, a ball park, an entity! Now how does one go about fixin something like this? This is sad.

By Dawn

June 1, 2009 8:18 AM | Link to this

I manage to go to 1 a year. That’s all I can handle due to the ‘fans’ that have to get up and get drinks/food/restroom every inning! I went when the Indians were in town and was only able to see half the game. I didn’t know you go to games to see how many times you can run up and down the steps.

By nyc

June 1, 2009 8:14 AM | Link to this

for one they stink..two…they are going nowhere this year either…three they stink..four..they stink…five …they stink…etc…get the picture ????

By Gettin' Serious

June 1, 2009 8:03 AM | Link to this

I haven’t gone to a game since the last ‘MLB Player’s Strike’. I only make $40K and I am not that stupid to contribute to spoiled ahtletes with multi-million $$ slaries.

By dave

June 1, 2009 7:58 AM | Link to this

It’s simple Hal…baseball is a bore. Nowadays other sports are more exciting…NBA,NFL,hell even the PGA is more interesting. Who is on the team?…the players change so often I’ve lost interest.

By Junquesheik

June 1, 2009 7:22 AM | Link to this

Where do I start? Non winning ballclub. Too expensive. You can’t charge NY prices for a non winning team. I get tired of being harrased by ticket scalpers, panhandlers, curbside trinket sellers, the homless, and street performers just trying to walk into the ball park. Did I mention it’s too expensive! It’s cheaper and more entertaining for me to go to BW3 and watch the game. As soon as the game gets out of hand there’s always a better game on another TV to watch. But then again, I’m still bitter that Crosley Field is gone.

By AP-FLORIDA

June 1, 2009 7:13 AM | Link to this

Used to be one reason…Not allowing Pete in the HOF, But now 2 reasons, Rusty Baker.

By ohdave

June 1, 2009 7:05 AM | Link to this

I agree with Frank… it’s about winning. The Brewers won last year… if the Reds win this year the fans will be out NEXT year. At this point we aren’t believers. We’ve seen this act before… hang around until June and then Poof. Kind of the like this weekend. The Reds are back to being the Deads.

By Frank

June 1, 2009 6:59 AM | Link to this

It is simple. WINNING. The Reds haven’t had a consistent winner since ‘99. All these people talking about money and weather would change their tune if the Reds were tied for first in late September. It really is still early. Everyone commenting here is sick and tired of getting our hopes dashed in the second week of May. Our memories have a hard time erasing the excruciating pain and suckitude of Matt Belisle, Eric Milton and Todd Coffey. Yes, these guys are gone, and there is new management, but we want proof of consistency. The Reds are guilty of fan abuse for 10 years now with characters like those listed above, and they are paying the price for their greed and stupidity of building a Smallpark around Griffey and Dunn, and loading the roster with flyball pitchers. They are now on the right track, but we need more proof before we invest.

By JJ

June 1, 2009 5:13 AM | Link to this

Televised games-when they started showing most games I stopped going. Went to one business game last year.

By Ex-attender

June 1, 2009 4:59 AM | Link to this

I quit going to Reds games many years ago because of the obnoxious, loud mouthed-fans. This is nothing specific to the Reds, it is this way at all sporting events. The American public has lost its sense of civility. I like watching the old baseball clips where all the gentleman in the audience were wearing ties. They had crackpots in the stands then too, but they were few and far between.

By J

June 1, 2009 2:35 AM | Link to this

I would like know is how many idiots on here b***h about going to a Reds game,but spend money on a Bengals game.My guess is 75% bengals(go figure that out)25% Reds,WHY IN THE HELL THE BENGALS SELL OUT EVERY GAME?

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

June 1, 2009 2:28 AM | Link to this

Hey Decker, if the Reds lose the series to the Cardinals, what’s the likelihood GABP will have more Cubs fans this weekend than Reds fans? What are the chances the Reds are a minority voice in their own ballpark? I say pretty good chance.

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

June 1, 2009 2:25 AM | Link to this

“Obviously in a manic phase, Mr Redlegs (Original, no less) is now up to 14 posts on this topic. I rest my case. There’s no arguing with a sick mind.” And being a multiple ID troll with nothing quantifiable to say on the topic makes you what, an Eagle Scout? At least Eagle Scouts have the wits to not make the exact same syntax errors from post to post under different IDs. Move along to your next obsession, Lizzy.

By amanda

June 1, 2009 2:07 AM | Link to this

St.Louis and Milwaukee have had winning seasons recently. If they say they are going to go out and get a cleanup hitter they would actually make that move. You can’t have losing season ater losing season and then expect to fill the ballpark because they’re a few games over .500. They can’t win without Votto and fans know this so expect the low attendece as long as he’s out.

By Decker

June 1, 2009 1:54 AM | Link to this

I have a family, which leaves me with little free time. When the kids were younger, I tried to get down 71 a few times a year - either with the family or with a friend. But the Reds kept putting out a horrific product (How many 40 year old retreads did I watch take the mound?) and I felt like a schmuck for giving my money to a robber baron like Lindner. If I were in Cincy with nothing else going on, I would be sitting in the Hofbrau every day and walking over for a $5 ticket, but I’d be an exception. Watch the park turn blue when the Cubbies come to town in September or listen to the suburbanites bleat about the big, scary city and it’s obvious Cincy is NOT a baseball town.

By Kat

June 1, 2009 1:46 AM | Link to this

Would love to go, but won’t because they don’t have anywhere in the stadium to go to have a cigarette. They won’t even let you leave and come back in. Forget it. At least at the local bar, you can go putside to smoke.

By Mr. Redlegs (Orgl) MUST Die!

June 1, 2009 1:21 AM | Link to this

Obviously in a manic phase, Mr Redlegs (Original, no less) is now up to 14 posts on this topic. I rest my case. There’s no arguing with a sick mind.

By Gary Maloy Jr.

June 1, 2009 1:17 AM | Link to this

According to Google Earth v.5.0, I live 6612km northeast of Cincinnati. That’s my reason. But I damn sure will be at the ballpark next summer when I make a trip home for the first time since 1992.

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

June 1, 2009 1:09 AM | Link to this

And by the way Quahog/Todd Jackson/Sal Manela/LoudMouth/MaryinCa/wearymom/Mister RedLegs/Mister Red Legs, etc., how many freakin’ email addresses and fake names do you have? Again, you’re so dumb that your writing, spelling and syntax give you away. Man, as Rosecrans said, you are seriously pathetic.

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

June 1, 2009 1:06 AM | Link to this

Jeez, “Janine,” what’s to have in common with the common Reds fan? Whining, complaining, excuse-making? Support the Bengals unequivocally at a much higher per game cost at a stadium a few yards away or bellyache about parking, traffic, vagrancy, location, costs, etc.? How about this? Read the posts, learn something and come back with your own excuse for not attending games. Until that time, your fingerpointing is no better or worse than mine.

By Quahog Hates The Bloghog

June 1, 2009 1:01 AM | Link to this

Good god, sombody shut of Mr Redlegs access. The bloghog has already posted 12 times! And all the guy does is b!tch and criticize. What a blowhard know-it-all. Talk about boring. Nothing is more tedious than an idiot like him who really thinks he’s on top of it all yet has nothing in common with a regular, everyday citizen and really doesn’t have a clue. Wow, what an angry guy he is!

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

June 1, 2009 12:59 AM | Link to this

So, Todd Jackson/Sal Manela/LoudMouth/MaryinCa/wearymom/Mister RedLegs/Mister Red Legs and all sorts of other fake names and phony email addresses across Lord knows how many boards, including writing to yourself using more fake names … really, who’s the transparent goob? Tilt your mirror front and center. Your writing style and syntax gave you away again.

By Laura

June 1, 2009 12:56 AM | Link to this

I would absolutely LOVE to go to more games. Unfortunately, I lost my job, and all my money has to go to paying for my house, car, insurance, etc. If it weren’t for that, I’d be there a whole lot more than I am now.

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

June 1, 2009 12:50 AM | Link to this

Build the stadium in Butler County? Cartog, are you serious or just organically clueless? Tell you what: let us know when you want to attend a game and well send out a car for you. The extent and stupidity of some of this lousy fan base’s excuses are beyond belief.

By Mark

June 1, 2009 12:48 AM | Link to this

There are lots of reasons I don’t go to the games. First, I’d rather watch them on TV because I feel like I can get into the game better at home because there are too many distractions at the ballpark. Other than unending barrage of annoying vendors that come by every 30 seconds, the thing that really bothers me is the volume of the music from the stadium speakers between innings. It is obnoxiously loud!!! Second, I don’t go to the park is because I don’t want to spend my money on a team that we’ve been fooled by before. It seems like every year they do well at some point, then they fizzle out. Keep winning, be in contention, and I’ll start believing and buy a ticket. Gerry, Chris Welsh is okay, but I hope you’re not serious when you say you like listening to George Grande.

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

June 1, 2009 12:46 AM | Link to this

Good godalmighty. So, Jerry, you don’t actually know what it costs but you make assumptions. And those three links I posted below where tickets can be bought for anywhere from $5-60 each each? I guess you’re also too lazy to actually look at those deals.

By Todd Jackson

June 1, 2009 12:34 AM | Link to this

I quit going to Reds games because Mr Redlegs is such an A-hole. Change your name to Mister Sourpuss Arch-Critic Of Everyone On The Blog.

By Gerry (Louisville)

June 1, 2009 12:08 AM | Link to this

The price of gas combined with the price of tickets, and I here the consession prices are pretty high as well. For a household on a fixed income it’s just not a bargain. Plus we like listening to George and Chris.

By John

May 31, 2009 11:58 PM | Link to this

1) 80-some games are on television. This never happened when I was a kid. Sure, you have to listen to George Grande, but you don’t pay anything except the cable bill. 2) The Reds do not have many marquee players. They turned the team over too quickly from power to small ball. 2.5) They’re supposed to be playing a brand new, exciting game of speed and defense and small ball. They’re inconsistent in all departments and often look like a minor league team playing above their heads. 3) They stopped getting reclamation project pitchers and started getting reclamation project hitters. Neither approach works. You have to spend money to make money. 4) Shoddy promotions. Joey Votto bobblehead night, we got there a little late (Bottom 1st) and the bobbleheads were all gone. After the game I saw people walking out, alone, with sacks full of 4-5 of them. In both hands. That sucks. 5) NEGATIVE LOCAL MEDIA. Listen to WLW sometime. The phone lines are always tied up with people complaining and talk show hosts egging that on. There’s very little positive on the air. All this does is create a negative, unsupportive fanbase. Welcome to Cincy.

By SillyMe

May 31, 2009 11:57 PM | Link to this

Who want to drive downtown, get raped to park, get raped for tickets and god help you if you want a hot dog and a drink. Now I know why ball players have to have multi=million dollar contracts, they have to pay to park and eat at the ball park.

By Jim

May 31, 2009 11:20 PM | Link to this

Baseball is arguably more exciting to watch (in person)than croquet. TV has the instant replay, which fills the void between the real time spurts of action. And: I have yet to have trouble with traveling to my family room and then finding a place to park.

By Cartog

May 31, 2009 11:00 PM | Link to this

A few reason I don’t attend more Red’s games: 1. Drive down I-75 thru Cincy is not a pleasant drive. I wish they had built the new stadium in Butler County. 2. There is really not a whole lot to see/do in downtown Cincy before games. 3. The price of parking is a bit high. Not bad if you go with a group and split the cost. But, I would go down to more day games myself, but the price to park is more than a cheap seat ticket.

By jason hickey

May 31, 2009 10:58 PM | Link to this

I still cant begin to convey how blown away I was by the Brewers fans and how they treated the game like a playoff game, both in the parking lots-tailgating and in Miller Park where it seemed everybody was wearing Braun, Fielder, Hart etc. t-shirts. I have been to plenty of ballparks and havent seen anything like that at all. I can only hope the Reds can have a playoff run soon and the GABP can be ROCKING like Miller this weekend.

By joe

May 31, 2009 10:54 PM | Link to this

I’m stationed in Ft Hood texas, so i haven’t been to a game this year but i pay 25$ a month to watch the reds on mlb.tv.It’s nice to see such a young team with so much talent.We dont have the superstars like griffey or dunn anymore,but we play well as a team.GO REDS!

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

May 31, 2009 10:45 PM | Link to this

Texas, I’m pretty familiar with the Rangers’ park and that surrounding area. The Cowpokes’ new stadium is just down the street. But yeah, that’s an okay park and it’s hotter than hell out there most of the time, and you can buy a gigantic fried turkey leg at the concessions. Cracks me up. But that team and place has nothing on the Reds but they still draw.

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

May 31, 2009 10:41 PM | Link to this

The Dayton Dragons are the second-lowest rung of minor league baseball. To compare it to MLB is nonsensical. They’re not the same product. And you can buy select Reds tickets cheaper than the Dragons’ lowest-priced ticket.

By Diamond Dave

May 31, 2009 10:22 PM | Link to this

I think people don’t go because they don’t like the ballpark. There is nothing gorgeous to look at like in Pitt. or SF, just the brown Ohio River with NKY’s dull hills. And it’s not all that easy to get around in there. All of that extra space they talked about compared to Riverfront is on the field level third-base side. God help you if you’re trying to walk around the field level on the 1st base side. And the upper TWO decks share the same concourse, bathrooms, concessions, escalator, etc. The word is out. And I’m a weekend season ticket holder!! (Off topic: Is there any way to get them to wear the home white jerseys at all home games except Sundays. They want to sell a third jersey and that’s fine, but they look like a bunch of little leaguers out there on Saturday afternoons and during business day specials. It ain’t spring training anymore, Skippy!!)

By Texas

May 31, 2009 10:21 PM | Link to this

No disrespect intended to any poster, but most of the ‘reasons’ I read here are ‘excuses’. Before relocating to Texas, I was a partial season ticket holder. Two weeks ago, I went to a Rangers game (their record was the same as the Reds) and the place ROCKED with enthusiasm. The concessions cost more, I had to park just as far away as I did at GABP, their museum doesn’t come close to the Reds HOF, and the only nearby attraction was Six Flags. Bottom line — the fans went to have fun and support their team, and they do … in solid numbers. Reds fans, no more excuses … get your families out, by some cheap seats, and root for the team!

By CD

May 31, 2009 10:02 PM | Link to this

For our family, it mainly is the cost. With two teenagers in a one-income family who are involved in several activities, extra money for a bunch of Reds games is hard to come by. We go to a couple of games a year and would love to go to more, but we just can’t buy a lot of tickets every year. Our family loves the Reds, and would be there a lot more if we could.

By Jake

May 31, 2009 9:58 PM | Link to this

Obviously attendance has been down over the past several years as the Reds’ foruntes on the field have been down. But I often wonder whether there may be more to it than that. Cincinnati is a very conservative town and not many people will try and dispute that. And over the past two decades, the influx of Latino players has been substantial and the white superstar has become an rarity. I have relatives who make no bones about the fact that they don’t enjoy baseball as much as they used to because of the predominance of Latino players. Personally I find that perspective to be ignorant and racist. Some people (many in Cincinnati perhaps) might say it just makes it harder for a good old white boy to identify with the players. I doubt you’ll get many people who will admit that this is a reason for their apathy, but I do not doubt it’s a contributing factor in such a conservative town.

By Jack

May 31, 2009 9:57 PM | Link to this

Hal, simply just dont believe in this team. Pitching will only last so long, and the hitting will not be there. To me, just not a fun team to watch.

By Bowshier

May 31, 2009 9:55 PM | Link to this

Too many boorish yahoos.

By Anissa

May 31, 2009 9:55 PM | Link to this

Dragons are closer. You can take the family, have dinner before the game and be home at a decent hour. It is always a good time for us.

By Andy

May 31, 2009 9:46 PM | Link to this

I agree with you Hal. I was at the Sunday game when the Indians were in town and I was embarrassed to see how few people showed up. I live in Columbus and actually got the tickets as a gift for my birthday, but if I lived in Cincinnati I would definitely go to more. Quit whining about the economy. Everybody is affected by it. The Reds have created more than enough low-priced options for tickets/food/beverages. This team has a ton of potential. They finally have a great pitching rotation, some great young position players, and don’t pack it in when they’re down late in the game…stop whining and support your team.

By Mike

May 31, 2009 9:43 PM | Link to this

Traffic. Parking. Can’t enjoy the game because of all the concessionaires hawking stuff and all the people getting up and moving around. Plus I can watch most of the games on TV.

By Cassidy

May 31, 2009 9:41 PM | Link to this

I live in Columbus, and try to get to a couple games a year, but it’s a six-to-seven hour time commitment including the drive and with a busy schedule I really struggle to do it more often than that. If I loved closer I’d be there more. When I do go, I generally find the parking and traffic situation to be painless — people who cite those as reasons for avoiding the ballpark are really stretching if you ask me. And vagrancy and panhandling? Give me a break. That is a ridiculous excuse. Walking past a few vagrants doesn’t cause me or my family any alarm or lessen my game day experience one bit. It seems like the sports culture in Cincinnati is so negative (judging from talk radio and blog posters) that the fanbase’s mood is totally poisoned. And I love Marty Brennaman but sometimes I wonder if his negativity poisons the diehard fans’ mood as well. I am sure that after the poor performance on the current road trip there will be more excuses for not going to the ballpark, but Hal’s got it right, it is embarrassing. I laughed when I heard Thom Brennaman declare Cincinnati a baseball town a week or so ago. Cincinnati is NOT a baseball town anymore, and it’s obvious when you look at the attendance.

By scotty russell

May 31, 2009 9:38 PM | Link to this

I live 2 1/2 from Cincy. Weather does play a part for me. I look about a week in advance, and look for a great Sunday afternoon weather forcast. Week day games are immpossible for me and my family due to travel time. And, price is a concern. They do offer cheap packages, but I am not going to drive that far to sit in the terrible seats. Just too many other family options out there.

By scotty russell

May 31, 2009 9:38 PM | Link to this

I live 2 1/2 from Cincy. Weather does play a part for me. I look about a week in advance, and look for a great Sunday afternoon weather forcast. Week day games are immpossible for me and my family due to travel time. And, price is a concern. They do offer cheap packages, but I am not going to drive that far to sit in the terrible seats. Just too many other family options out there.

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

May 31, 2009 9:37 PM | Link to this

There’s not many outdoor stadiums in this country allowing smoking but if your reason for not attending Reds games is because you can’t smoke, then you’re right for not attending. Save your money, buy the patch because if you can’t go 3 hours without a smoke… .

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

May 31, 2009 9:33 PM | Link to this

According to the 2009 Team Marketing Report, which tracks the cost of attending pro sports events, the Reds’ average ticket cost is $19.19, which is 7th-lowest in baseball. They have 6-7 $1 concessions and they have reduced the overall cost of attending a game by 8.6 percent this year, third-largest cutback in baseball. You can take in food and soft drinks. So buy yourself a 20-ounce soft drink at UDF, make yourself a fried bologna sandwich, go to a game, have a good time and stop making up more ludicrous, baseless excuses.

By edge

May 31, 2009 9:28 PM | Link to this

Games times. Starting at 7:10 pm is too late for a family with kids (bedtime), and too late for those working in the city. Start the game at 6pm, you can get the guys working in the city to catch the game after work, and the families. Concession prices. You can bring your own, but most don’t, and you can’t bring your own beer. Get the afterwork crowd, offer a half price item or two. It takes the fun out when you ‘feel’ like you are getting ripped off, such as the last time I went to a game got a large looking box of M&M’s, only to find it is less than 1/5th full. I could live with half full.

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

May 31, 2009 9:19 PM | Link to this

Terry, completely understand and sympathize. There are hundreds of thousands in your shoes, and obviously you are not the target of the excuse-making majority of the Reds’ so-called fan base.

By Buckeye Traveler

May 31, 2009 9:16 PM | Link to this

I traveled from Columbus to Miller Park this weekend for the Reds series. The fans were amazing. I have made it to one game in Cincinnati this season and typically only go to about two or three a year. The main reason that I do not travel down to Cincinnati all the time is the drive, traffic, and parking downtown. Miller Park sits outside of the city, and was designed to accommodate the traffic and it is away from the hassle of peddlers and panhandlers that plague the downtown Cincy area. If the city of Cincinnati really wants to attract more fans, they need to clean up the area around the ballpark and lessen the burden of traffic after the games. They have made strives in Fountain Square, but where Riverfront was, is, and needs to change.

By fordman74

May 31, 2009 9:11 PM | Link to this

I used to be a partial weekend season ticket holder, but after years of the Reds collapsing around the All Star Break, it got harder to get anyone to go with me late in the 2nd half of the season, including my wife! One thing they need to change(if they can get the city to go along with it), is to allow people to smoke down there again. Put a smoking area, way out by the wall by the river, away from all the nons, and that might help. There is ways around it now, but its a pain.

By The Hon

May 31, 2009 9:05 PM | Link to this

They put in a $1 surcharge to up Barry Larkin’s salary and he tanked. They charge extra for ‘premium games’. They scaled GABP so families can only afford the outfield bleachers or nosebleed heaven. They charge an arm and leg for concessions. They jacked up the prices each of the past several years for an inferior product with a losing record right out of the gate. It’s happening to the Bengals too. People have fewer discretionary dollars today and they make choices.

By Terry

May 31, 2009 8:52 PM | Link to this

Money is my issue. My wife lost her job and I make 9.44/hr. If things were different, I’d be there.

By michaelhammons@yahoo.com

May 31, 2009 8:41 PM | Link to this

Because they don’t win enough. Simple as that. People could overlook parking issues, costs, etc if there were marquee players to see. If you want a really apathetic fanbase, though, try going to a game in Pittsburgh. People show up in the 3rd inning, mill around the concourse, and are gone by the 7th. The Reds may have a small following, but the ones that go are into the game.

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

May 31, 2009 8:11 PM | Link to this

What a joke. You talk about the losing seasons. Pathetic excuses. Cincinnati still sells out for the Bengals, the most inept and losing franchise in the NFL the past 20 years. You complain about the Reds, the ownership, the past decade, the parking, the cost, downtown, vagrancy—you got every lousy, stinkin’ excuse in the world, as if your situations are any different from 29 other franchises. Well, it’s not. You’re not unique. It’s just excuses. But you’ll sell out Paul Brown Stadium for a perennial loser, but a Reds team with lots of young talent and a rebuilding organization that is over .500 and in this thick of the NL Central race … well, below I provided three links with promotions for you to buy greatly reduced tickets and concessions. Why not stop pining about the past and do what the Brewers, Cardinals, Cubs and so many other teams do—enjoy the present and the potential of the future.

By Jefe

May 31, 2009 7:17 PM | Link to this

My friends and I used to go to Reds games all the time. Back in ‘97-‘98-‘99-‘00 I averaged 25 games a year. Unfortunately the team has since gone downhill and I now have no desire to go to more than one game a year - Opening Day (To which I have been to every year since ‘95). I think the Reds’ losing ways have allowed “going to the ballpark” to fade from a lot of people’s lives. At least I haven’t completely disowned them like I have the Bengals. I’m completely done with those jokes.

By ron

May 31, 2009 7:00 PM | Link to this

I love baseball. I went to 25 - 30 Reds’ games a year in the Big Red Machine days. Now, I am older and have season tickets to the Dragons games. I watch & listen to the Reds games all the time. I go to maybe 4 or 5 Reds games a year. I still see baseball all the time but it is with future Reds and not the current crop. Bring Sparky Anderson back (I know, it is not going to happen) and then I will see you in Cincinnati. I am a spoiled Big Red Machine fan but I loved it when it when it was going on. Not many baseball fans get to see a team like that but I certainly enjoyed it. The Reds need to play fundamentaly sound baseball, win games, and get a manager with a clue and I will shoow up again.

By Mike

May 31, 2009 6:45 PM | Link to this

Put a winning team together, continue to win, That is win the games they should win, beat the contenders. The recipe for success is winning. Fans will come to watch a consistent agressive winner.Parking could be $25, that won’t keep the fans away once the winning becomes consistent. Until then, losing 3 today to Milwaukee and then losing 3 to San Diego a few weeks ago, has this team labeled as just another typical Reds team. It will be a long summer. Bring on Football and Basketball.

By 11

May 31, 2009 6:42 PM | Link to this

I agree Hal. I am a victom of the economy. I go to ALOT of Reds games and they cant get anyone there. I made the trek to Milwaukee this weekend. Us and another couple. All 4 of us affected by the DHL situation. 2 of us allready gone, the other 2 of us will be gone in July. But I love my team and will do this when i can. Crazy atmosphere up there. No excuse for why it cant be here. Dont talk to me about the economy. GO REDS!!!

By Steve

May 31, 2009 6:25 PM | Link to this

Hal, it comes down to this…plain and simple…counting this year (which is going down the tubes…hopefully we win one game in STL) 9 STRAIGHT LOSING SEASONS. This after a very promising ‘99 club, which was completely dismantled for the Griffey debacle…that is why I refuse to show up and spend lots of my hard earned $$ at GABP. Yes, there is improvement…I like Walt..but Dusty was a bad hire, and it wasn’t Walt’s hire. Until I see results, just like the other inept franchise down the river, I remain skeptical of progress with our redlegs…

By Steve

May 31, 2009 6:24 PM | Link to this

Hal, it comes down to this…plain and simple…counting this year (which is going down the tubes…hopefully we win one game in STL) 9 STRAIGHT LOSING SEASONS. This after a very promising ‘99 club, which was completely dismantled for the Griffey debacle…that is why I refuse to show up and spend lots of my hard earned $$ at GABP. Yes, there is improvement…I like Walt..but Dusty was a bad hire, and it wasn’t Walt’s hire. Until I see results, just like the other inept franchise down the river, I remain skeptical of progress with our redlegs…

By Mike-Cinci

May 31, 2009 6:05 PM | Link to this

Cincinnati has never been a GREAT baseball town. We have always over rated ourselves. The best Reds attendance ever was 2.6 million in 55,000 seat Riverfront Stadium in 1976. The Reds averaged only 31,000 for the Big Red Machine. (56% of capacity). The Reds have drawn over 2.5 million only once since 1978. That was in 2000. (Junior’s first year). St. Louis has drawn over 3 million 10 of the last 11 years. The Brewers drew 2.8 million in 2007 and 3 million in 2008. They will draw more fans in 2009. Cincinnati is more like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Kansas City, Oakland, Miami, Tampa…the worst drawing teams in baseball. Attendance peaks on weekends in the summer. It’s a tough challenge during mid-week. The Reds only averaged 29,000 per game in Riverfront in the 1990 World Championship wire to wire year. Proving winning does not change things in Cincinnati they drew less fans in 1991. They only averaged 24,000 in the 1999 year they tied the Mets and played a one game playoff. The Reds look like they will draw 1.8 million to 2.0 million per season. These are Pirates type numbers and not enough to compete financially with the Cubs, Cards, Brewers, Astros not to mention the big money markets on the East and West coasts. By the way for those who think it is ticket prices fans did not come when Marge was charging $9 for a box seat either. I think the current Reds ownership is trying hard but they are finding it is a steep hill to climb. The fans here are not quite as good as those in other markets.

By bill

May 31, 2009 5:49 PM | Link to this

I’ve been to 4 games this season and the Reds are 0-4. Weather plays a bigger part than many people realize especially during the school year. I dont take the kids, typically, during the school year because their bedtime is 9-930 and today’s games often last past 10pm. That said, park in the Levee and walk across the Taylor Southgate bridge. Zero bums, fyi. You can also bring a softsided cooler with homemade sandwiches and snacks to GABP so I dont think concession prices are really a fair item to b***h about.

By Jeff

May 31, 2009 5:40 PM | Link to this

I gave up on spending money in Cincinnati after the riots.

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

May 31, 2009 5:35 PM | Link to this

And many of those reasons are weak with excuses, cheapness, laziness—you name it. But hey, a bunch of boneheads fill Paul Brown Stadium each week. For what result over the past 20 years? And the Reds are held to a different standard? Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

By RampantRedsFan

May 31, 2009 5:23 PM | Link to this

Redlegs, I think the question in this blog was “why don’t you go to Great American” not “lets listen to Redlegs call everyone weak reds fans for not going to as many games as he does”

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

May 31, 2009 5:15 PM | Link to this

For all of you complaining about downtown, not attending games isn’t going to change the situation. If you want the restaurants, bars and other things you say are lacking, then attend games, create a demand and show that these businesses are viable. Otherwise, no bank in the world is going to finance those projects without demand. $12 parking is also pretty damn cheap by today’s pro sports standard.

By jason hickey

May 31, 2009 5:14 PM | Link to this

Well, I live in Toledo and actually just got back from Milwaukee where me and my girlfriend went for Saturdays game and I am very jealous of what Milwaukee has built out there with there team and fan support. There is nothing around Miller Park to do before or after games (much like GABP) but they dont need to with the UNBELIEVABLE tailgating that goes on in the parking lots, its like a big ten football game, amazing time. In regards to the question posed, I drive 3hrs from Toledo 10-12 times a year to catch games and if and when they start winning I will no doubt go to more. I do think “fans” stay away mainly due to the lack of winning over the last decade along with the lack of anything to do before or after game around park. Make the riverfront vibrant again (banks?) and start winning on a consistent basis and I believe the “fans” will come.

By RampantRedsFan

May 31, 2009 5:08 PM | Link to this

Hal, I go to quite a few games (about 25 a year), but when I don’t go it is because of the following reasons: -The parking situation is horrible: if you want to get a spot anywhere near the stadium you have to pay $12 in a garage that doesn’t even fill up. -If you park in the main business district area then you have to walk past a number of homeless roaming the streets -There are no restaurants or attractions near the stadium. For example if you want to get a meal before the game you have no good options. The economic basis is that Reds tickets are not coveted. It is not “cool” to go to the Reds game, and because of some of the above reasons many people who are actually Reds fans find traveling to and attending games to be a nuisance. Good baseball + an attractive downtown = attendance. We rarely have good baseball, and the area around the ballpark is far from charming unless you really like dirt and construction.

By dwr

May 31, 2009 5:07 PM | Link to this

The Brewers have Braun and Fielder and a supporting cast of Hardy, Cameron and the like. The Reds are lacking a true marquee player, though Votto when healthy seems to fit that role. Winning or losing, are fans going to come out to see Jerry Hairston Jr, Laynce Nix, Ramon Hernandez, and Pete Rosales? So far, no. That, and I don’t think people believe just yet.

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

May 31, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this

The Reds have lots of specials and some through sponsorships, like this one for half price tickets and discounted hotels. I have priced this out and it’s legit: http://www.cincinnatiusa.com/reds/. Here’s another: 4 tickets and concessions for $54. Here’s the best buy in base: $5 tickets and $1 concessions. http://mlb.mlb.com/cin/ticketing/bargains.jsp. Seriously, people, you have no excuses except for laziness, cheapness or just general contrariness. This team does a lot of things to make it cost-efficient.

By Mark

May 31, 2009 4:51 PM | Link to this

Dear Mr. Redlegs ~ You need so-called novelty fans with bobbleheads and other promotions if you expect to fill the house for a team working on eight straight losing seasons. Otherwise, why have a marketing department at all?

By MIke

May 31, 2009 4:33 PM | Link to this

I worked for a company (American Standard)twenty years, they closed and went to Mexico. I love Reds games more than anything but yes price is a VERY BIG issue. Tell me how the guy gets a ticket and a coke and a popcorn and an ice cream for $9 and I’ll be there more. I live over 100 miles away and try to make at least 7-8 games a year. I wish I could afford more games.

By Mike-Dayton

May 31, 2009 4:25 PM | Link to this

Just because some guy name Barnes claims that Cincinnati “used to be baseball town”, don’t believe him … Cincinnati is a baseball town and we can live without the Barnes of the world going to St. Louis or wherever to watch a game. The problem the Reds have is four GM’s, six mMnagers and eight losing seasons - all since 2000 … real fans still go but a winner is needed to get to the next level of fans

By Brett Barnes

May 31, 2009 4:13 PM | Link to this

The bottom line for me is that we only go on Sundays when we can actually get to the park without sitting in a car for hours. The traffic is worse than ever. WE watch every game together, But Hal, true story. I asked my kids if they want to go to Cincinnati or St Louis to a game and they always say St. Louis to see Albert Pujols. That is the bottom line. Breaks my heart. Cincinnati USED TO BE a baseball town. Hate to say it.

By brokeucstudent

May 31, 2009 4:07 PM | Link to this

The parking excuse is weak in my opinion. There are parking lots all over downtown. Park at the P&G lot for $5-7, walk two blocks to the skyline on 4th, then walk two more blocks to the park. I usually get cheap seats and wait for deals like half-price student tickets to splurge on a really nice seat. I like bleachers more than the top level actually. I wish more people would come to the games, but I think winning is really the only way to increase attendance. I am fairly new to Cincinnati, but not to the Reds. This season is making me very disappointed in Reds fans. Maybe too many years of losing have created too many fair weather fans.

By G-Fox

May 31, 2009 3:49 PM | Link to this

Good point Rick, it’s a 2 hour drive for me to get to GABP and I’m not going again until I know Votto’s going to be back in the lineup. Completely different team w/o him right now. They are a 70-75 win team w/o him, and I don’t want to pay to watch them lose for a 9th straight year.

By Rick M of Anderson Township

May 31, 2009 3:26 PM | Link to this

I went this past Tuesday night to see the Reds/Astros and I spent $59 before I heard the National Anthem. $59 for parking, one ticket, one Big Red Smokey, one bag of peanuts, and one Coke. Do the Reds really a have the ‘starpower’ that pulls people to the park?? The Brewers have Fielder and Braun, the Cardinals have Pujols. Votto is getting close but not quite there yet, in my opinion and his recent playing time problems aren’t helping matters.

By G-Fox

May 31, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this

You can’t compare the Reds to the Brewers or the Cards. Try comparing them to teams with similar losing streaks, such as the Pirates or Royals. Check out this page: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml. When the Reds are winning or are coming off a winning year, attendance is good. When they’re losing, the fans stop showing up. 8 straight losing seasons is hard to accomplish, and fans are right to not just jump back on.

By LMAO

May 31, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this

because baseball is boring and the Reds suck

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

May 31, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this

The cheapest Dayton ticket is $15; the cheapest Reds ticket is $5. The Reds have the third-lowest average costs to attend a game in MLB. If done properly, you can get a ticket, hot dog, soft drink, popcorn and ice cream cup for a grand total of $9. MLB stadiums are generally in cities and the Reds have played in a downtown stadium for almost 40 years. The parking is what it is. Build it into your time. But I do agree about better signs. If you need promotions and bobbeheads, which went out of vogue 3-4 years ago, to draw you out to a game, then you’re a novelty fan. You’re also cheap. Can’t totally disagree with the surroundings of the park but the primary draw is the event, game and team, not having a place to get plastered afterward.

By Samantha

May 31, 2009 2:44 PM | Link to this

I’m a grad student and I work nights. I plan to go to a lot of the day games this summer. Even though I’m (an extremely) poor grad student I still think games are pretty reasonably priced. Cincinnati really isn’t all that difficult to navigate and the panhandlers aren’t at all aggressive, you can just walk by them. The ballpark isn’t in a bad area of the city at all.

By BrarHopper

May 31, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this

I used to go to Reds games a lot at Crosley Field and Riverfront. I considered the experience affordable. The times I’ve been to GABP with and without my kids, I find everything to be horribly overpriced and easily avoidable. Taking my family turns into a very costly outing. Used to be the vendors were varied and the choices distinct. Since Emprise Sports Service (Mafia owned out of Buffalo) took over all vending and made everything generic same old same old, I feel the ballpark experience is lessened and has lost a great deal of its appeal. Seems these days from parking to drinks and food, it’s nothing more than another opportunities for business to gouge the public. We’d rather stay home, avoid the traffic and ripoffs, watch the game on TV, go out to eat, and still have a pocketful of money left over. That’s my two cents worth.

By Andy

May 31, 2009 2:36 PM | Link to this

Danny makes a great point. There is nothing to do in Cincinnati, if you want to do something fun you have to go across the river before or after the game. Plus it is such a huge cost to go to a weeknight game, $10 for parking, $20-50 bucks for a couple tickets, $7 for a beer. If the Reds were playing the Brewers at GABP this weekend with first place on the line I’m guessing the place would be sold out.

By Aaron B.

May 31, 2009 2:35 PM | Link to this

Hal, you answered your own question. The Brewers made the playoffs last year and the Reds finished near the bottom feeders (again). Sure things look good this season, but we’ve been down this road before and seen this team collapse instead of contend. I know its a different cast of characters but I am not convinced they can finish strong. They are already wilting here at the beginning of a road trip with their best play having mystery ailments that no one wants to divulge. If the Reds ever make the playoffs I guarantee you’d see a spike in attendance the following season, just like what’s happening in Milwaukee.

By jemcx

May 31, 2009 2:14 PM | Link to this

For my money, I’d rather go to a Dragons’ game. They don’t play as good baseball, but the team entertains the fans throughout the game. GABP is nice, but the fact is, the Reds are just not doing enough to get me to spend my money down there.

By Mark

May 31, 2009 2:02 PM | Link to this

I disagree with Hal about the Reds marketing efforts. They are abysmal at best. Why would you have bobblehead nights — arguably your best promotion — on Saturdays against the Cardinals when the park is liable to be filled anyway? Most of the promotions and giveaways are like that. You would think you want to entice your fans to come out during weeknight games against the likes of the Marlins or Nationals.

By Mordicai

May 31, 2009 2:00 PM | Link to this

We have several reasons for not going down to the game. First and biggest reason is not knowing where to park. Yeah i know there is stadium parking but then you sit in line for 45 minutes waiting to get in. Then when you decide not to sit in the traffic line, you have to go looking for local parking, which is not very well marked in my opinion. Then you have to figure out exactly how to get to GABP from your location, which is not always easy due to streets and highways. The second reason we don’t go is all the beggars that are always around the park area. I know some may be destitute but not all and they can be pests at times. Plus the area in general is not that great. The third is just the overall cost of the whole package. If you have to fork over $100 or better(gas, parking, tickets, food,and drinks) then you want to get the most for your money. As much as I enjoy baseball, it is really not worth that cost to me.

By Andrew

May 31, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this

I live in greater Columbus, a two-hour drive from GABP. I’m a father of three boys and I’m good for a game a year, possibly two this year. In this economy, I don’t call that staying away.

By Danny

May 31, 2009 1:42 PM | Link to this

Good question. I’m 20, so my answers will be different from others. For my age group, I wish they would do some more stuff to attract students and younger fans. I don’t know what the setting is like in STL or MIL, but I would think the area around the stadium has a lot to do with it. For example, Huntington Park just opened in Columbus. It’s right smack in the Arena District, filled with bars, young people and excitement. The area around GABP? Not so much from what I see. There’s nothing we can do about it, baseball is losing steam and many young people think the game is boring, long, and old. If it could be a stop on a night out rather than the main draw, I think that may be a good move. Good question though!