You don't come up empty in search for reasons May 26, 2002

by Michael A. Lough
Macon Telegraph Assistant Sports Editor

Dear Macon teams,

Why aren't people showing up? You want to know. We want to know. Some others want to know.

Wanting to know and knowing are two different things, and some problems afflict all, others just one or two.

First, marketing could improve.

The Macon Braves exist solely for young players to learn the game, improve, and help the big Braves get to the playoffs and lose prematurely. And with a front-office staff small enough to fit in the noisy bird's nest known as the press box, general shmoozing isn't a high priority.

As for the others, one wonders if the front office folks are exhausted from meeting people, from pounding the pavement. How much contact do they have with local business, and what are they offering as inspiration?

How unique or creative - without coming off as desperate - is the marketing? How interesting are the promotions?

Do fans feel like they're wanted? How is the customer service, in the front office and at the concession stand?

Public interaction is an issue, along the lines of marketing.

Arenafootball2 has a great rule that you see at Knights games: Players stay afterward and sign autographs on the field. This gives fans a chance to see players without the helmets, and in a calmer setting.

Thus, you can recognize a player in a store and go talk to him, which is all part of public relations and marketing.

Baseball in general knows nothing about either. More regularly-scheduled doubleheaders would be great on all levels, allowing for between-game interaction.

For another, there's the "next level" situation.

Too many "minor leagues" were born out of a money person's desire to have a team and a league, but they lacked any connection to the pros, which indicates they are more entertainment-oriented than pro-oriented.

The Whoopee's legitimacy increased with the move to the East Coast Hockey League, but that's still far away from many alums playing for Lord Stanley's Cup.

The next step for a good Knights player is the Arena League, which means almost nothing to the average fan around here. Selling the Kurt Warner story only works for so long.

This isn't to criticize the skill and ability involved in the respective leagues, not a bit. But with no place to go that BubbaJoe Fan cares about, apathy is understandable.

One also wonders about the leadership.

Are people tired of hearing about the finances, signage rights, contracts and lease negotiations? Does the average person making $30,000 a year empathize with these higher ups?

Do fans in general have much faith in owners and management in general? Have those in charge here helped or hurt their own causes?

Folks can tire of constant negotiations, which we've had between the city, teams and Coliseum.

Then there are the games.

A Macon Braves game can numb the senses, what with the same music and the same promotions at the same time every night.

Welcome to Luther Williams Field, home of the Macon Braves and the movie "Groundhog Day."

Knights games should be more popular, what with our society battling massive attention deficit disorder. Conversely, one could argue the games are too loud and offer no chance for a breath.

Minor league hockey fans in the South want Canadians flailing away at each other, teeth skidding across the ice. Blood? Cool, eh.

That can get old. On the other hand, truly understanding hockey is the other problem. Thus, the dilemma: More fights or better hockey?

For another, there's a time problem, like there is everywhere. Take the month of May.

The Knights are playing. The Braves are playing. The Atlanta Braves are playing. Our last area high school baseball team finished its season Saturday, which was also graduation day in Macon.

The Whoopee has the toughest battle. Their year starts in the middle of football season, goes through basketball, and concludes just in time for baseball. In a football and baseball state like Georgia, that's rough.

Lastly, general whining aside, there's plenty to do in Macon.

On a given weekend night, you can go to a dozen places and hear live music. Macon has a score of quality upscale and mid-upscale restaurants, and family restaurants.

We have quality movie theatre venues, as well as events at the Douglass, Opera House, and the halls of fame.

Parents and grandparents have youth games to deal with, as do referees and officials. And have you seen how many people play softball?

Take a look at the paper on a weekend - come on, it's not heavy lifting - and there are more options galore within an hour or so of town.

Macon's not quite as big as a lot of other minor league markets with the same number of sports. We have some versatility and options, and a downtown that's clearly picking up some steam.

We're not becoming Atlanta - thank heaven - but Macon continues to grow into more than just a decent-sized city in Atlanta's shadow.

Macon isn't too different than a lot of cities, bigger and smaller. Teams are fighting to fill seats everywhere, and in every sport.

There are plenty more observations and questions and points one could come up with in a second, none helping out any more than the previous.

Still, the question begs? What exactly are folks doing? Where are they going?

Ah, people. Can't live with 'em, can't figure 'em out.

Sincerely,
An interested party

Home