Indians continue to defy odds, draw bigger crowds

August 22, 2011
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Even as Wall Street staggers and the economy wavers, the Indianapolis Indians, the city’s minor league baseball team, continues to score.

The Indians’ attendance increased from 549,552 in 2009 to 569,969 in 2010. After a strong weekend, the team will almost certainly see a solid attendance increase this year over last, and still has an outside shot at eclipsing 600,000 this season.

Following a weekend in which the Indians drew 34,405 fans over three games at Victory Field, the club’s year-to-date attendance has now surpassed the 500,000 mark. The Indians year-to-date attendance continues to track ahead of last year’s pace.

Through 63 home dates played this season the Indians have drawn a total of 516,355 fans compared to 503,583 through the same number of dates last season. Earlier this season, the Indians welcomed the nine millionth fan to attend an Indians game at Victory Field since the ballpark opened on July 11, 1996.

The creativity of the team's marketing staff and its myriad game-day promotions have no doubt aided the attendance lift. The opening of the 1,005-room JW Marriott directly north of Victory Field certainly hasn't hurt either.

The Indians next home game is Monday at 7 p.m. against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The IronPigs are managed by Hall-of-Famer and former Chicago Cubs star Ryne Sandberg. The Indians are chasing the Iron Pigs for a playoff spot.

Only two of the Tribe’s remaining eight home games fall on a weekend, which could dim its chances of hitting the 600,000 attendance mark. But if you’re not playing in the NFL, and you’re still seeing growth in this economy, most sports economists would consider that a big win.

The stock of this publicly (and thinly) traded company is one of the few sure bets to hold its value during these tumultuous times.
 
 

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  1. So the Mayor adds another non value added layer to having a vehicle towed? Whereby the City Government RECIEVES AN ILLEGAL KICKBACK FROM A LGOISTICS COMPANY THAT SUBS THE WORK TO LOCAL TOW COMPANIES? What is the service the City performs for receiving the "tribute"? This is RICO!!!!! What a corrupt and unnecessary layer. What a dirtbag Mayor and his cronies.

  2. Owner occupied housing. Clear enough?

  3. So people think I am paranoid. It's from experience in dealing with puds requested by developers who make major donations themselves to representatives, have nice fund raisers for those running for office and hide through pac's. then there are the public relation firms. You will note some pr comments below. You there Clyde Lee? My opinion. Commercial along 421, great. Multifamily housing, terrible idea that will change the town. Senior condos or zero lot line homes west, great. I suggest keeping all entries to commercial areas at 421. All entries to owner occupied on sycamore. Will keep the traffic on sycamore down some. Two other things. You can't trust what will be there in 10 years. Steve builds quality stuff, but areas change over time. Look at the changes at the wall mart center at 86th and 421 over the last 10 years. Look at the apartments and neighborhoods behind St Vincent's. Raintree properties WILL decrease in value if commercial and multifamily goes in near. It has already been happening around the bridges area. The houses that have been sold recently are way below market. Several deals not closed due to the Illinois construction and the whole unsurety of the bridges. It's pretty simple, Zionsville will approve the whole thing because the city council has been groomed over a LONG period of time for this. I might even suggest some are in their position as a result of this.

  4. Esta, do you have a dog in this fight? You seem to really want to knock anyone against this project. No, I didn't move to Indiana for the architecture. I moved here for that red barn in the field. The horses and fields of corn. A place that is NOT overdeveloped. There are plenty of nearby places in Indianapolis that could be REDEVELOPED instead.

  5. RKW - OK, we get it, you're paranoid. The question is, are you paranoid enough? Greg - Yes, Pittman(s) is (are) at it again. They are developers, they build things. It's what they do. So when you go to work tomorrow, Greg, you're at it again too. Cliff - Really? You moved to Indiana for its progressive architecture? That's like moving to England for the cuisine. Zionsvillain - The house you moved to was once a field or woods. I'm willing to bet folks were upset when that ground was plowed under and a house was built. But I guess now that you are in, everything should stop? "My house was OK, but the next one is sprawl." SE Guy - Please don't paint us with such a wide brush. Most reasonable Zionsville residents welcome planned, measured development.

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