February 7, 200422 yr Marlins hit a home run with FanFest By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com? MIAMI -- It didn't take long for the Marlins to reap the rewards for being crowned World Series champions. An hour into Saturday's annual FanFest, team president David Samson claimed more individual game tickets were sold in that span than in the entire 2003 FanFest. By 11:15 a.m., the amount of seats purchased eclipsed the combined marks of 2002 and 2003. In all, the Marlins sold 16,000 individual game tickets in the seven-hour FanFest that attracted about 30,000 fans at Player Stadium Saturday. The 16,000 tickets is five-times more than what the team sold at the previous two FanFests. FanFest capped off a full week promotional tour by the Marlins, who spent the previous seven days cruising around South Florida in their annual caravan. Counting the caravan, the Marlins sold 700 season ticket packages. "We continue to do everything we can to not only keep baseball in South Florida, but to keep winning baseball in South Florida," Samson said at a town hall meeting-style question-and-answer session before hundreds of season ticket holders. Saturday marked the first day to buy individual game tickets to watch the defending World Series champions in 2004. Tickets also are sold online at FloridaMarlins.com. By 8:45 a.m. Saturday, long lines were already formed at the Pro Player Stadium ticket booths. Opening Day is set for April 5 against the Expos at Pro Player Stadium. That day the team will hoist the World Series championship banner. "These people [front office] are doing everything possible to make this a comfortable situation for you," manager Jack McKeon said in the town hall meeting. A majority of those in attendance Saturday were dressed in Marlins' championship gear and excitement is building for the start of Spring Training. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., on Feb. 21. Despite winning its second World Series title in the franchise's first 11 seasons, Samson says rebuilding the fan base remains a slow, steady process. In terms of season-ticket sales, the Marlins anticipate modest growth. A year ago, there were 5,000 season tickets. Samson expects less than 10,000 this season, but he is pleased by the gradual rises over the past few seasons. The current ownership was placed in the difficult position of rebuilding a fan base in 2002 as the franchise continues to recover from the fallout of the dismantling of the 1997 title team. Saturday's large turnout and high number of individual game tickets sold are indications the franchise is on the rebound. But there still are some unanswered questions regarding the team's long-term stability. At the town hall meeting, Samson repeated the need for a retractable roof stadium to secure the future of the Marlins in South Florida. The team faces a March 15 deadline to finalize a baseball-only stadium in Miami-Dade County. In December, the county agreed to put forth $73 million toward a facility under the condition a deal will be finalized by March 15. If not, that money goes toward convention development. "This community deserves a facility that you guys can come to and enjoy games in comfort," Samson told a group of fans. Samson noted that Houston and Arizona, teams located in similar hot climates, are playing in new stadiums with retractable roofs. He added that Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig wasn't thrilled about a rain delay during Game 3 of the World Series at Pro Player Stadium. As fate would have it, the elements came into play Saturday. A heavy downpour fell on FanFest for about 45 minutes Saturday, dousing an otherwise hot and sunny South Florida day. Many of the FanFest activities were geared for the outdoors. FanFest featured a number of interactive activities, including autograph sessions with players and a home run derby for children. Memorabilia and prominent baseball exhibits were displayed, such as the jerseys worn by Hall of Famers Lou Gehrig, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Al Kaline and Jackie Robinson. A popular attraction was the display of both Marlins' World Series championship trophies, situated at the stadium's entrance. The nucleus of the World Series squad is back, and the Marlins again expect contending for a playoff spot. The team has to overcome the loss of two notable players, catcher Ivan Rodriguez and first baseman Derrek Lee. McKeon said the competition is open at catcher between Mike Redmond and Ramon Castro. "There will be an opportunity for both of them," McKeon said. "We'll see what happens." Neither has the inside edge right now, but McKeon made it clear he will stick "with the hot hand." So whoever is performing could get a bulk of the work, not making it a half-and-half split. McKeon says the primary concern entering Spring Training is middle relief pitching. Mike Neu, obtained from the A's for Mark Redman, is in the mix with Nate Bump, Blaine Neal, Tommy Phelps and Michael Tejera. The back end of the bullpen will have Chad Fox in setup and Armando Benitez as closer. McKeon has high hopes for first baseman Hee Seop Choi, acquired from the Cubs for Lee. "He's a good prospect," McKeon said. "We gave up a good player for him. We think this guy is going to have a good future for us." credit mlb.com
February 7, 200422 yr Is the 700 season tix full 81 game packages or all packages? They made it seem like it was all packages, 21, 41, and 82.
February 7, 200422 yr Is the 700 season tix full 81 game packages or all packages? mlb counts season tix holders by how many 81 seat packages are sold. 1 full season = 1 season tix holder 2 half season = 1 season tix holder so that means 700 packages that add up to 81 games.
February 7, 200422 yr Counting the caravan, the Marlins sold 700 season ticket packages. that really, really blows. for some reason, i was expecting some major turnaround this week. and selling 16,000 individual tix doesn't really strike me as much of an accomplishment considering we won the WS.
February 8, 200422 yr 5,700 season tix is good. Samson said he expected at the most 7,000. The Marlins will never have more than 10,000 season tix anymore, but in a market like South Florida with a large population, good TV and Radio ad sales rates and a full stadium on weekends, this team will do fine. All we need is the new ballpark or better lease to increase revenues. BTW, remember 2 half season tix holders = 1 season tix holder and flex packages don't count I believe until the vouchers are exchanged for tix.
February 8, 200422 yr 6000-8000 season tix holders means that the attendance will climb to over 20,000 a game if you use last year's attendance and add the difference between this year's season tix amount - last year's season tix amount. 5700 (2004) - 2000 (2003) = 3700 16000 + 3700 = 19700 + flex holders who exchange vouchers
February 8, 200422 yr Counting the caravan, the Marlins sold 700 season ticket packages. that really, really blows. for some reason, i was expecting some major turnaround this week. and selling 16,000 individual tix doesn't really strike me as much of an accomplishment considering we won the WS. I agree, man.
February 8, 200422 yr and selling 16,000 individual tix doesn't really strike me as much of an accomplishment considering we won the WS. Well, I'd say the fact that more than half the people at fan fest walked out with a ticket, I'm happy.
February 8, 200422 yr Sorry if I missed it, but how many opening day tickets are still available? I have to say, I'm jealous of Miami, I'm going to be in a lottery for cheap seats on Opening day
February 8, 200422 yr and selling 16,000 individual tix doesn't really strike me as much of an accomplishment considering we won the WS. Well, I'd say the fact that more than half the people at fan fest walked out with a ticket, I'm happy. Naw, I am pretty sure that most of the people who bought tix at fan fest bought more than 1, so 1/2 the people didn't walk out with a ticket. It was probably like 1/5 or something.
February 8, 200422 yr Sorry if I missed it, but how many opening day tickets are still available? I have to say, I'm jealous of Miami, I'm going to be in a lottery for cheap seats on Opening day Opening day tix never sell out because the Marlins are judicious to make sure military and youth groups get tickets in good seats.
February 8, 200422 yr and selling 16,000 individual tix doesn't really strike me as much of an accomplishment considering we won the WS. Well, I'd say the fact that more than half the people at fan fest walked out with a ticket, I'm happy. Naw, I am pretty sure that most of the people who bought tix at fan fest bought more than 1, so 1/2 the people didn't walk out with a ticket. It was probably like 1/5 or something. Although that may be correct, we sold more tickets than half the fan fest population. That was my main point.
February 8, 200422 yr Beinfest also spoke very highly of Michael Flannery....and said Abraham Nunez was, on paper, the 5th OF going into Spring Training. McKeon was very funny and cracking jokes. When asked by a young fan who the closer would be, he answered, "who ever finishes the game". Sampson also talked about the new stadium. He stressed that the retractable roof was a firm requirement, and that he would be happy if it were anywhere from Stuart to Key Largo, as long as it is in South Florida.
February 8, 200422 yr from Stuart to Key Largo :mellow: That's what he said. As long as the stadium has easy access, is comfortable for the fans, safe and in South Florida he would be happy. When asked about the issues of parking around the OB site, he said that where ever the stadium is built there will be adequate parking and easy access.
February 8, 200422 yr Fort Myers is between Stuart and Key Largo J/K And in South Florida !! :thumbup
February 8, 200422 yr We have 2 ballparks to choose from. The cozy and urban City of Palms Park and the mighty, suburban Hammond Stadium at the Lee County Sports Complex.
February 8, 200422 yr We have 2 ballparks to choose from. The cozy and urban City of Palms Park and the mighty, suburban Hammond Stadium at the Lee County Sports Complex. they could play in your school's stadium, too. those bleachers looked like they could seat 20 people... hehe
February 8, 200422 yr I am glad lots of people turned out. But you keep hearing people quoted in the paper saying they were glad about the crowd because it was an indication of a financial upswing. It seems everyone knows that this franchise has revenue difficulties...wonder how they all learned that?
February 8, 200422 yr btw, Atlanta drew close to 10,000 on their Fan Fest and Oakland close to 20,000. I like that we drew close to 30K :hat
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