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Why was Guardians 2023 attendance so good?

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Cutting 38 home games against the weak AL Central division opponents down to 26 and those home 12 games being against better competition or more popular teams helped out. The first homestand against Seattle and the Yankees averaged over 20k a game.

Better weather with less doubleheaders or 50/50 chance of a game being drawn out with weather delays if it was played. Last year after the home opener April 15th, including one rainout/doubleheader the next five games (4/16-20) averaged 10k a game and didn't have another home game until a 5/04 doubleheader of a 5/03 rainout. Total attendance for that six game homestand w/ two rainouts/doubleheaders was under 50k total.

Better MLB scheduling where a six/seven game rod trip would be followed by a six/seven game homestand with a better attendance weekend series included.
 
I love the idea of monthly pass promotions. I remember when I was working in downtown Cleveland in 1973, we had 12 noon games and .50 bleacher seats. That did attract a lot of fans to the bleachers. I came close to attending for a half an hour or so while I was on lunch break. I could see office workers taking lunch there.

I'm glad if the pitch clock helps the average fan enjoy the game more. I'm just such a traditionalist, I don't want those changes because they make the stolen base totals a little less comparable.
 
It’s always been about weather in NE Ohio (plenty of people disregarding that on this board over the years).

I also agree with CoViD hangover.
 
MD13 said:
Really don't get what's wrong about the pitch clock. You're getting the same amount of actual baseball without all of the wasted time in between.

Another thing is that the rules speeding up the game (limited disengagements/pick-off throws, etc) have also led to stolen bases making a comeback, and base stealing is one of the most fun things about baseball. Overall the product is much improved year-to-year.

Obviously none of this is Guards specific, but it does help explain the attendance boost.
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I actually think that the 3 hitter minimum and the limited pick off attempts have more effect on shortening the games than the pitch clock.
 
Criznit said:
Do you guys remember how fast the game/action seemed as spring got underway? By seasons end, did anyone still "feel that"? Seemed totally normal/natural to me.
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That's because pitchers have found new ways to slow it down. Pitch-com issues and give me a new ball every other pitch are a couple of examples.
 
33Y0 said:
No one came to the game BECAUSE of the pitch clock, but I can bet you people came more because they’re shorter games. JMO.
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Exactly.

More than person convinced other people to go because "the games are faster/shorter now."
 
33Y0 said:
When you have shorter games AND can get in games for cheap AND drink.. people love that.
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You know what is nice? It seemed like a lot of fans were disappointed with the overall fan/social/season ticket holder experience after the 2022 season and they actually did a lot to improve the experience in 2023. From the outside (of Cleveland), the PR/marketing group crushed it this year.

Hopefully this is momentum and not a reason to call it good to go.
 
Criznit said:
You know what is nice? It seemed like a lot of fans were disappointed with the overall fan/social/season ticket holder experience after the 2022 season and they actually did a lot to improve the experience in 2023. From the outside (of Cleveland), the PR/marketing group crushed it this year.

Hopefully this is momentum and not a reason to call it good to go.
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One of those people were CERTAINLY me after 2022. I detailed a lot of my experiences right here on this forum.
 
While the improved game speed has done a lot to improve the overall product, we still improved a ton relative to the overall increase in the MLB this year. I think the run last year with such a likeable team was huge, but full credit to the business ops side of the org for capitalizing on it.
 
33Y0 said:
One of those people were CERTAINLY me after 2022. I detailed a lot of my experiences right here on this forum.
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What did they do differently in 2023?
 
33Y0 said:
No one came to the game BECAUSE of the pitch clock, but I can bet you people came more because they’re shorter games. JMO.
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I don’t know how accurate that is.

I’ve read a lot of comments in other media outlets about the game being too quick for stadium patrons, but less complaints from people watching on TV.

Personally, I hope they reverse the changes made this year eventually.
 
CDAV45 said:
That's because pitchers have found new ways to slow it down. Pitch-com issues and give me a new ball every other pitch are a couple of examples.
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33Y0 said:
When you have shorter games AND can get in games for cheap AND drink.. people love that.
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You mean $2 beers for pregame on Friday nights was an attractive promotion? Who would have guessed?

There were a lot of great promotions throughout the season. And not like the old days where honor roll students got discounted tickets.
 
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