Baseball, the Game and Its Fans: A Delicate Ecosystem

Where have all the fans gone? Why so many empty seats? Two questions that jumped off the page of a recent article by Associated Press, who were pointing out that Bud Selig had noticed that two of the league's flagship teams weren't filling their new state of the art facilities. Should the Yankees and Mets consider lowering their ticket prices to fill some of the more visibly empty seats around the ballpark? "I wouldn't be presumptuous talking about what they should or shouldn't do." Selig replied.

However, in these new economic times, maybe everyone involved should make sure that these issues are addressed. Fan, Team, and League are not isolated entities but an ecosystem more than able to sustain all three with just a few compromises. Here are just a few suggestions to help strengthen Major League Baseball for another generation.

First and foremost the reason teams are successful and flourish is because of the fan support. When team loyalty is passed down through generations as readily as land or the family bible, connecting a son or daughter to their great grandparents, it is important to make sure that their continued support is encouraged. This starts with ticket prices and availability. A day at the ballpark shouldn't cost a fortune. Reductions in ticket price and concession price for food and drink would go a long way towards recapturing a deep love of the game. What makes this sport great outside the collective memories of the games great players and moments are the wonderful stories from the past of young boys who remember getting into games with their fathers for nothing more than a few dollars.

Second, teams need to do a better job of developing and keeping talent. It is understood that Baseball is a business, and players are in it to make money, but there has to be a balance. Make drafting, development, and long term contracts the norm not the exception. Everyone loves a good trade. But I think what is more valuable is player security and fan loyalty. Long term relationships are always best, even when it comes to baseball. Large and small market teams alike can relate to that philosophy, and the dividends created over the long term should outweigh the short term success of roster turnover and fan favorites leaving for other cities when there is no need.

Finally, the league needs to do a better job of providing fans access. With the season as long as it is there should be more games on local television and at more varied times than there are now. Seating in large sections of the ballpark near the action should be available to individuals over corporate sponsors who don't consistently fill them. Even fans of the MLB package could not argue with discounted prices as games were disseminated more frequently to the general public. Afternoon games, double headers, and week day games found on regular cable and local channels would once again bring casual fans back into the fold. The league could still generate tons of revenue from their television packages, but also look out for those with as much love but not as much means.

Overall, market value should determine ticket prices. Owners should have no dictate from the Commissioner to set prices. So hats off to Bud Selig for his stance. But, owners should remember that the teams they build will bring the fans to the stadium. How they choose to provide the fans a quality affordable baseball experience will go a long way to ensuring the next generation's commitment to the team. It will bring back meaning for those who grow up rooting for their hometown team. These concessions also could reinvigorate the game of baseball as a whole. This ecosystem is always stronger when all three entities win.

Sources:

www.espn.com