The model minor league baseball operation – everything from the front-office to the fan base, to the public/private collaboration – is about three hours away.
Salem, for those of you who are not minor league baseball fanatics, is home to the Class A Avalanche. The team doesn’t have a great record or produce any more major leaguers than any other minor league team. In fact until recently, the team was affilated with the Houston Astros and had a mediocre record.
But the business runs like a top with solid attendance growth every season.
That’s probably one of the reason the owners of the Boston Red Sox purchased the team and this week announced they are changing the name and logo to the Salem Red Sox.
So next Spring, when Richmonders have no baseball to watch, Salemites will be watching future All-Stars for the Red Sox.
Roanoke Times Columnist Aaron McFarland wrote a great piece on why the team is so successful.
“They provide a good product, win or lose. The stadium, now 12 years old, is well-maintained and fan-friendly. The ticket prices are reasonable. The concessions are varied and good.
Just as importantly, the game-day experience strikes the right balance. Those who want mascots and Sumo fights get them, but not so many that the baseball purist thinks he’s made a wrong turn and accidentally found the circus. There are goofy sound effects on the loud speaker, but not after every pitch. On a level where baseball and entertainment must share the stage, few blend them better than the Avalanche.”
A few lessons for Richmond:
– Build a smaller stadium that can later be expanded. Start with 6,000 seats so it feels full. Maybe even less. People like to go to the crowded bar or packed concert. It makes them feel like they’re part of something grand. Nothing creates demand like scarcity.
– Build nice bathrooms and keep it clean.
– Make sure the stadium has a Richmond feel. At Salem Memorial Stadium (which is owned by the City of Salem, NOT an amalgamation) stadium, attendees have almost 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains.
– Parking at the stadium is also free. People hate paying for parking.
The model minor league baseball operation – everything from the front-office to the fan base, to the public/private collaboration – is about three hours away.
Salem, for those of you who are not minor league baseball fanatics, is home to the Class A Avalanche. The team doesn’t have a great record or produce any more major leaguers than any other minor league team. In fact until recently, the team was affilated with the Houston Astros and had a mediocre record.
But the business runs like a top with solid attendance growth every season.
That’s probably one of the reason the owners of the Boston Red Sox purchased the team and this week announced they are changing the name and logo to the Salem Red Sox.
So next Spring, when Richmonders have no baseball to watch, Salemites will be watching future All-Stars for the Red Sox.
Roanoke Times Columnist Aaron McFarland wrote a great piece on why the team is so successful.
“They provide a good product, win or lose. The stadium, now 12 years old, is well-maintained and fan-friendly. The ticket prices are reasonable. The concessions are varied and good.
Just as importantly, the game-day experience strikes the right balance. Those who want mascots and Sumo fights get them, but not so many that the baseball purist thinks he’s made a wrong turn and accidentally found the circus. There are goofy sound effects on the loud speaker, but not after every pitch. On a level where baseball and entertainment must share the stage, few blend them better than the Avalanche.”
A few lessons for Richmond:
– Build a smaller stadium that can later be expanded. Start with 6,000 seats so it feels full. Maybe even less. People like to go to the crowded bar or packed concert. It makes them feel like they’re part of something grand. Nothing creates demand like scarcity.
– Build nice bathrooms and keep it clean.
– Make sure the stadium has a Richmond feel. At Salem Memorial Stadium (which is owned by the City of Salem, NOT an amalgamation) stadium, attendees have almost 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains.
– Parking at the stadium is also free. People hate paying for parking.