NORTH – 4

Don Ohlmeyer is quoted as saying the answer to all of your questions is money.

It might not be his originally, but the sentiment of the statement is true. When it comes to this game, it’s all about how much of it can we generate.

Hence the minor leaguers are treated as cattle in the form of a lottery ticket. It means doing something different to attract fans and keep them coming back.

The fear is the speed of the game and that it’s not as fast as the other professional sports. However, the answer is exactly what’s already working.

Wrigley Field looks like a party in the stands over 80 times a year. AT&T Park in San Fran can get that way at times, just like Safeco in Seattle, around the Chase Field pool in Phoenix and countless other parks around the nation.

The key to it all is turning the game into an event at all levels and catering their stadiums and promotions towards that end. Market the concourse as a social spot where one can drink, smoke, and watch sports on TV…like most are already doing when they go out.

While this can’t work in the major cities, where a $20 cover fee to get into the best bars is commonplace. Not even smaller big cities like Cincinnati, Tampa Bay/St. Pete and Milwaukee. This is something for Indianapolis, Toledo and Nashville.

For Matarie, Louisiana and Des Moines, Iowa, Syracuse, New York and Tacoma, Washington.

The sell point is a baseball game is the answer to the question where can two men go that doesn’t rely on alcohol to just hang out.

The stereotypical female equivalent is to go shopping or the beauty salon. While it’s not that men can’t do these things, it’s not socially accepted and likely to be accepted the wrong way…

The way from the airport to the stadium is always a time for reflection, especially when it’s in preparation for Opening Day.