It's All Up to the Players

About a week ago, the Florida Marlins played a home game which had a very low attendance, and I mean VERY low. The unofficial number of fans at the Marlins-Reds game last week was 347. As you can see by the picture, there are actually only 347 people at a MLB game. Now, there are a couple factors that make this a little less embarassing. 
1. Neither the Marlins or Reds are in a playoff race.
2. The Marlins stadium is terrible, and many fans are saving $$$ for tickets in the new stadium next year.
3. Hurricane Irene was coming in the next day, and the game was rescheduled.


But those aren't great excuses for THAT low of an attendance.  MLB games should draw at least 10,000, usually more. The smallest market team in baseball, the Brewers, has had a 30,000+ average attendance for 5 straight years, and since moving into Miller Park 11 years ago, have only had 2 seasons with their average attendance under 25,000. Why is this? In my opinion, its all about the fans wanting to see their favorite players.


The Brewers have arguably the most exciting, fun, loved (by their fans) players in baseball. Tony Plush is a crazy, talented, hilarious speedster who is a fan favorite. Ryan Braun gets standing ovations almost every time he comes to the plate. Prince Fielder often complements "amazing" fans in interviews, and crushes 450 ft HRs what seems like every day. The Marlins...well, their most exciting player is Greg Dobbs. Ramirez is injured, and even when he's not hurt, he's not exciting and fans don't like him because they don't know him personally. I, a Brewers fan, feel like I know half the players on my team. Here's how the players can fill up the stadium, instead of just complaining about the owners. You don't just have to be good. Be on TV, be in interviews. Have a fun walk-up song, or a signature walk. Have a fun inside joke with the fans (all Brewers fans laugh when they see T.Plush's "AHHHHHHHHHHHH"), or have a Facebook with positive statuses. If the team isn't doing well, be the one that picks up the fans. Any team in baseball is more exciting than the Marlins. Even the Cubs have fun routines, like 3 error plays and losing seasons! Bottom line, winning attracts fans, and promotions do too, but players are the biggest reason fans come to games, even if we don't realize it.