Why don't any Rays fans go to their home games?

Question

Not being disrespectful in any way, but whenever I see replays of a Rays game that is in Tropicana Field, there is almost no one there, despite the fact that the Rays have one of the best records in baseball, and one of the best home records.

Why is this?

Answer 1

Florida is made up of 3 kinds of people:

1) Mexican immigrants who follow soccer, not baseball

2) retired people who are loyal to a different MLB team from their hometown

3) retired people who moved to Florida for golf and boating and don't give a rats (word yahoo doesn't allow) about baseball.

Simply put, they don't have enough fans.  

Answer 2

CubsRock said it Florida is not a baseball state look at the Marlins...Usually when your in Florida your retired or your there to go to the beach and party and the Rays stadium,Tropicana Field,is a dump so that prolly plays a factor too.

Answer 3

In all actuallity it is not 1 reason, it is a combination of reasons. Traffic is a big factor. BJ f upton was probably the closest to the right answer, But no it doesnt take an hour to get there in good traffic from Tampa. I live about 30 miles north of Tampa and can still make it an hour. Also the spring training facility is only a few blocks down the street. Things have started to look up for the Rays this year, and while it may not seem like it attendence his risen dramatically. They have more sell outs this year than the other 10 years combined. Which every game ive attended this year was completely packed. Most people arent diehard baseball fans in the area, more football. That also contributes. They have made many improvements to the Trop., and it is not a bad facility. The main reason the Rays want a new stadium is because of location. Maybe once people see the Rays are really doing well they will begin to attend more and more. Season tickets are sold out and they are already starting to sell for 09. So while there are still not as many fans as they would like, it is slowly changing. Also alot of those days that there are not as many fans at the games are against weaker teams and on week days. And to who ever said that about the cowbells, I have 1 and you see more people there with them than not. Which is a good sign. Meaning there are more Rays fans at the games than the opposing teams. Even the Red soxs and the 3rd place Yanks. With acception to 1 player most of them are very down to earth, unlike most teams.  

Answer 4

Location for one. The majority of the Bay population lives in Tampa. During the week crossing the bridge is a major pain. In some Tampa locations it can take up to a hour to get to Tropicana and that's with good traffic. So consider on the bad traffic days. St. Petersburg residents and Clearwater residents need to step up to the plate and show some support as well. But if you look at it like this, the Bucs and Lightning do very well with attendance and that's because they are located in Tampa. I would guarantee you if the new park is built at the spring training site (which I hope happens) then you will see a considerable jump in overall attendance. Even though it would still be in St. Petersburg it's a more ideal location for a ballpark.

Answer 5

because they dont have fans. and when big draw teams come to town they do things like hand out cowbells to ONLY the people in rays appareal to try to drown out the sound of the other teams fans. its pathetic, and one of the most bush league moves I have ever witnessed in any ballpark, major or minor. totally classless.

Answer 6

because i dont think they fully believe that the rays are gonna make it to the postseason which heaven knows why

edit: the weather?? its a dome

Answer 7

You gotta think... Many of the people in that area are tourists.  Places like Boston, New York, St Louis, Chicago, Philly...they all have a good-sized population which makes it easier to fill the stadium.

I was in FL so I went to that game where they came back with like 6 runs in the 9th to win against CLE, and half the fans were wasted.  Funny to watch.  That stadium sucks too.  I know they are trying, but they desperately need a new one.

Answer 8

Florida is just not a baseball state.  

Answer 9

The weather

Answer 10

They have stunk since their inception. It is going to take a while for people to believe that the Rays are for real.

Answer 11

You can't blame the fact that in the history of the Rays...they have always put up a 90+ losing season for every season they have been in existence. When your a fan who roots for a team that never wins till now kinda tells you that they lost faith in their team.  

Answer 12

A lot of the residents are retired and can't afford it.  Besides, if it's beautiful outside, why go to an indoor baseball game?

Answer 13

To answer this question - go there! It is horrible. Getting there is horrible (it is in St. Pete - not even Tampa). Since the stadium is horrible, the commute is horrible... no one wants to go that much!

But I will say this - the stadium was actually great for hockey when the Lightning played there in the mid 90's.