Since Buddy98 just posted his prediction thread, I'll go ahead and get my attendance thread started for the new season. As in prior years, I will attempt to document the announced attendance at each MASL game using the official box score, Facebook posting, newspaper article or wherever else I can find it. T-minus 8 days 'til the opening kickoff!
Well, what the hell?!?! It's takes them five days to report the announced attendance in El Paso but until then they are typing in 200 as a default? I'm loving these new "standards".
Saturday, November 4, 2017 Cedar Rapids @ Milwaukee - 5,019 St. Louis @ Kansas City - 3,059 Florida @ Rio Grande Valley - 1,374
Sunday, November 5, 2017 Florida @ Monterrey - 3,758 Turlock @ Ontario - 2,011 Syracuse @ San Diego - 3,318
The league later changed this to 1,201 then it was changed to 1,400 after 2 games either way they cant survive with under 27,500 fans a year
Just to set the record straight, so far, this is what box sheets for El Paso have listed for attendance at their first two home games this season: 10/28 - 1,201 11/2 - 200 (this is most likely incorrect and should be adjusted by the team)
Felt like a real nice crowd in Milwaukee on Saturday, so I like seeing that number! The side we were sitting on was packed.
Friday, November 10, 2017 Ontario @ Syracuse - 3,220 Cedar Rapids @ Baltimore - 3,733 Tacoma @ Turlock - 500
How is Turlock even paying their bills with home attendance of only 500? They must have either an owner with deep pockets and/or lots of sponsorships.
Saturday, November 11, 2017 Ontario @ Harrisburg - no report Cedar Rapids @ Florida - 2,549 Milwaukee @ St. Louis - 2,779
After 15 games the MASL is averaging 2,458 per game. Not counting the game in Harrisburg. Some disappointing home openers in some cities (Baltimore, not selling out in that small arena and Monterrey, I was expecting a bigger crowd.)
Crowd looked to be about 2200 in Harrisburg on opening night. Disappointing given the progress of the team and some of the things the owner did to promote opening night.
Yes a pretty disappointing start even for today’s standards. When a good crowd is anything over 4,000 people and some teams can even get close to that number.
Sunday, November 12, 2017 Milwaukee @ Kansas City - 3,881 Rio Grande Valley @ Monterrey - 3,533 Tacoma @ San Diego - 3,196
Well, I tried to tell people on Facebook this move (regardless of reasons or excuses why) was a terrible decision. The Blast have a lot of fans North of Baltimore which is true, but most of them use public transportation and Dundalk isn't exactly a short drive/walk to Towson.. it's still a long haul. Then you take the other chunk of fan base which is located in Anne Arundel county (South of Baltimore). Now, a trip that used to take 15-20 minutes tops is a 45 to 1hr and 30 minute drive depending on traffic. Also add in the fact the quickest way to get there direct costs a $4 toll each way. It isolated fans not North of Baltimore and a lot of those who are simply can't make it anyway because no public transport takes you to Towson or anywhere near SECU arena. All of this can be added to the fact most people who did attend game 1 hated different things about it. The parking was a major issue, the concessions that had been pumped up as great took a lot of heat from fans, and the sight lines that were promised to be better still had issues with people not realizing seats behind the net are STILL obstructed view. This doesn't even touch on the horrible issues with the stream, the ugly downgraded pre-game entrance now, or any of the other issues with the move. I hope for good things and will myself make a trip or 2 out to Towson (50 mins + for me) to see a game, but I can say certainly that I will not attend as many games as I have and that I know many people who are in the same boat. And with opening night behind us and 4,000+ less people in the building then previous years (and couldn't even sell out lol) that this and probably next year will determine the fate of the Blast long term.