Blitz, Jam, Blaze ... minor league sports flop in Bakersfield - Last Rites - LastRites's Blog - Bakersfield.com

May 4, 2009 at 05:05 AM : Bakersfield SHOULD...

Bakersfield SHOULD support minor league sports. Could bring in a truck load of employment IF adequate facilities could be approved. Sam Lynn needs to be re-built - period, no discussion. Why aren't the Laker fans supporting the Jam? The was a new sports facility that has been completed - why can't the same powers that be cough up money for a new sports center for baseball, football, basketball? Soccer fields have been built and maintained - why not other sports? Swimming has several venues to choose from. Even ice skating has a venue! I think these minor league sports could also be helpful to those kids who want to participate in sports.

May 4, 2009 at 09:05 AM : First of all if people...

First of all if people want to show support for the Blaze you can start by going to these two websites. Please leave comments and post your opinions and suggestions. I have personally met with Blaze ownership and front office staff and these sites are being looked at weekly if not daily. Your participation is key to showing that there is a fanbase that cares. Join the tribe!

http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/BakersfieldBlazeBlog

http://www.myspace.com/bakersfield_blaze

Secondly, you can can get out to a game or two this season. Nothing says that we want a team in Bakersfield like "butts in seats". If Bakersfield fans ever want to see a new stadium or even a re-vamped Sam Lynn, it's going to take money--a lot of it.

So come out to the ole ballpark and spend some of it.

Our Mayor Harvey Hall is a huge Blaze supporter. Drop Harvey a line or email AdmMayor@bakersfieldcity.us and let him know you want to keep the Blaze in Bakersfield.

Finally, let it be known that in my humble opinion after my meeting with Blaze ownership a few weeks ago. There is a desire to keep a franchise in Bakersfield and a ray of hope to do so despite the constant doom and gloom that has been spoon feed to all of us over the last 12 months. However, it is a business and if Bakersfield fans cannot support a team, the team will have to be relocated.

We can't expect the city, the county or the Blaze to build a multi-million dollar ballpark on the mere hope that fans will come.

We the fans need to step up and show our support and the reality of a new ballpark could be alot closer than we think.

May 4, 2009 at 09:05 AM : The Blaze suck. Plain...

The Blaze suck. Plain and simple. You can't polish a turd, and the guys that run that franchise don't even bother flushing the toilet.

Almost no promotion to speak of. The Condors were constantly advertising and getting players involved in the community.

Sam Lynn Park is the worst profession baseball field in America. Combine forces with Cal State and upgrade their new field to meet Single A specifications. That won't require multi millions of dollars. Location, location, location.

Get a new affiliation with a Major League team that is closer to home. Rangers? People in Dallas wouldn't walk across the railroad tracks to watch the Rangers, why should we?

Blaze ownership haven't got the brains to run a pro team in this town. Sell it to the Condors and let them run it.

Baseball is big in this town. Just look at all the kids playing it. But crappy ownership, crappy team and a crappy facility is not the hat trick this town needs.

May 4, 2009 at 09:05 AM : I'll say this:...

I'll say this: Coaching! The Condors are popular because of the fighting, that's my opinion, but they have good coaching that promotes the team. Bakersfield doesn't produce hockey players so it is okay for the Condors to use outside talent. As this applies to other sports however, Bakersfield does supply baseball, football, basketball, and soccer talent locally. As far as I have seen the minor league sports teams did a lousy job of retaining local talent, and that is what doesn't draw crowds. It may not deter people from the games, but it doesn't help.

Is the Brigade still around? I know the franchise still has their Club teams, but I remember when a few of my friends tried out that first year. They paid $75 to participate, showed up, played as hard as they could, then were told that the starting roster had already been created from outside talent and they (~ 100 guys) were competing for four spots on the bench. People in this town want to see local players, that is why CSUB gets bigger crowds than the Jam.

That's my rant, I'm out...

May 4, 2009 at 10:05 AM : In response to...

In response to ronmexico.... All I have to say is, spoken truly by a a typical Bakersfield fan.

Oh and to address your analogy of "Baseball is big in this town. Just look at all the kids playing it."

Well there are a lot of kids playing AYSO (soccer). How many of those parents support the Brigade? The Brigade had an average attendance of 884 in 2008. There are well over 2000+ kids playing AYSO in Bakersfield and the surrounding areas.

This is fuzzy maath.

May 4, 2009 at 10:05 AM : The Brigade started...

The Brigade started their 2009 season on Friday, May 1 with a 2-2 draw against the Ventura Fusion, in Ventura.

May 4, 2009 at 10:05 AM : Expecting a full house...

Expecting a full house at Rabobank is an unrealistic expectation even in the best of times. The same is true of minor league baseball if it's not the B'Dodgers. The AFL2 team flopped by not playing locals. More people would have showed up even if they were not competitive (they really weren't that good anyway).

May 4, 2009 at 11:05 AM : What about bringing in...

What about bringing in a team affiliated with the Mexican Soccer League? A soccer stadium could be built in southeast Bakersfield, allowing fans in East Bakersfield, Lamont, and Arvin, a short drive to get there. Tickets would be $2 each. Instead of selling hot dogs, sell $1 tacos. Sell La Rosa ice cream instead of popcorn. Bud Light instead of Coors Light. Have the games on Sunday afternoons. It could be a family affair. As the demographics of Kern County continues to change, the fan base would only get stronger and stronger.

May 4, 2009 at 11:05 AM : Noise. How many of...

Noise.

How many of the Blaze players, management and ownership have showed up at community events?? How many showed up at the opening of Aera Park? How many have shown up at local schools? How many games has DG Elmore attended this year?? Can you answer that for me?? The Condors are all over town promoting their product.

The website is a joke. Their latest press release is from 2007. Hey, its 2009!!

The Community section of the website says "Coming Soon". The Kids Club doesn't even open.

And you want to blame the fans for not showing up to this?? Tell you what. I will take my family to as many games as the owner does. Do we have a deal??

May 4, 2009 at 11:05 AM : Ward is...

Ward is making sense !

--virgil

May 4, 2009 at 11:05 AM : A soccer...

A soccer stadium could be built in southeast Bakersfield, allowing fans in East Bakersfield, Lamont, and Arvin, a short drive to get there.

Why build one?? Why not use the infield of the almost-completed race track off Enos Lane and I-5?

May 4, 2009 at 11:05 AM : I really...

I really like the way he seems to be understanding the world around him.

"As the demographics of Kern County continues to change, the fan base would only get stronger and stronger."

I like soccer - a great deal. But Bud Light ( and Coors ) suck! They can't be classified as beers - they're something else.

It's either Heineken or some stout micro brew, or I'm not coming.

--virgil

May 4, 2009 at 11:05 AM : I think...

I think the stadium is a better idea ...

--virgil

May 4, 2009 at 11:05 AM : ronmexico, if the...

ronmexico, if the games were held at the Enos Ln. race track, then all the drunken fans would have to drive through southwest Bakersfield to get home. Panama Ln. would become just like Weedpatch Hwy. and South Fairfax. The death toll would be staggering.

May 4, 2009 at 11:05 AM : This discussion and...

This discussion and comparison to the Condors, etc. could be an entire series of blogs and articles.

ronmexico here is something for you.....

http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:-14c7nAo3lgJ:www.fairfax.k12.ca.us/virginia/stories/storyReader%24169+bakersfield+blaze+reading&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

It's no secret that other minor leagues in Bakersfield are merley shadows of the MEDIA WHORE Condors. However, there are reasons. See my blog later in the week for answers to your questions.

In the meantime get out to a game and enjoy baseball.

May 4, 2009 at 11:05 AM : http://people.bakersfi...

http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/BakersfieldBlazeBlog

May 4, 2009 at 12:05 PM : This...

This discussion and comparison to the Condors, etc. could be an entire series of blogs and articles.

Maybe that is what we need. It seems the Condors are much more sucessful than the Blaze, so maybe the Blaze should take some pointers from those "media whores".

In the meantime get out to a game and enjoy baseball.

Will do Noise. Let me know when the owner makes it out to his first game and I'll pack the kids in the Prius and head on out to the Dale...

May 4, 2009 at 01:05 PM : Sad to see the Jam...

Sad to see the Jam pack up the jerseys, jock-straps and jump shots. But as you mentioned, LastRites, no big surprise. I do think attendance improved quite bit this year for the Jam, but probably not enough to offset the costs of operations.

The reason so many minor league teams fail here, and in so many other cities, is that corporate sponsorship is extremely hard to come by in places this size. Most major corporations have sponsorship deals with the big league teams, and local branch offices really don't have the type of money to help underwrite with suite sales, or event days, the types of ongoing promotions necessary to keep the clubs afloat.

As for ticket sales, Mr. Ellis can say all he wants to say about the economy not having an impact. The fact of the matter is that when more than 50% of Kern County's population live under the cloud of food insecurity, seeing minor league ball of any dimension is not going to happen. There are not enough people living here who make enough disposable income to spend money on many sporting events. Until jobs are created and wages start happening in Kern County no franchise can last long.

I expect to see a lot of major league franchises go away within the next few years. What is the point of being a Kansas City Royal or Pittsburgh Pirate fan? Or an Oakland A's fan? Or a Sacramento Kings fan? Or a Golden State Warrior fan? Or a Los Angeles Clipper fan? Those teams never have a shot, and there are plenty more of those types of teams throughout all professional sports. Their only reason for existance is to keep the Nike monopoly alive and play the appreciation game for the owners.

The country would be far better served if most pro sports went away. Billionaire owners with millionaire players getting subsidized from monopolists and the tax revenues from local municipalities who apply the fees on the backs of people who can no longer even afford the tickets. What a racket!

May 4, 2009 at 02:05 PM : hey ron--- Blaze team...

hey ron---

Blaze team up with Bike Bakersfield for clean air

During the 2009 season the Blaze and Bike Bakersfield will host several Bike Nights. Fans who ride their bike to the ballpark on these nights will receive 50% off regularly priced tickets. Fans will also receive a $2.00 discount when they ride their bikes on any other night. Come help keep the air clean and get great discounts!

No need to pack up the Prius. Just ride your bike....LOL!

May 4, 2009 at 02:05 PM : --Adam I disagree....

--Adam I disagree.

Friday Family Fun Pack
4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas, 4 chips, program, and signed ball for only $36!

There are more people in this town that spend more than $36 on beer every night. Damn, even a crack head could afford this.

And as far as your millionaire players. Let's don't get crossed up here. Blaze players make about $300 a game. Even though they are considerd pro, they are not major leaguers.

A 140 game season. So if they play all 140 games. $42,000 a year. Not a lot my friend.

May 8, 2009 at 12:05 AM : I think the majority...

I think the majority of minor league sports teams in Bakersfield are failing for multiple reasons.

1. If fans want to see a live baseball, basketball, football, or soccer game there are now 16 high schools and two colleges in town to choose from to watch. The Condors have the advantage of being the lone hockey team.

2. Fans have to drive just two hours to watch the top level of those sports (other than Pro Football) in person. Who would you rather pay to watch? The Jam or the Lakers? The Dodgers or the Blaze? The LA Galaxy or Brigade. No offense to our local teams but I think the answer is obvious.

3. The advent of high definition big screen televisions with dozens of "live" sporting events being broadcast every night leaves many sports fans with a lack of motivation to ever vacate their living room couch. Why spend $100 plus to take the family watch a minor league game when you can sit at home and watch your choice of 4-5 major league games on the your 50-inch 1080P LCD for free? If one game becomes a blowout just change the channel.

4. Too many choices. We live in the information age. People today have so many more entertainment choices that they used to have. When I was a kid we had only three television networks and popular shows like MASH and Happy Days drew monsterous ratings. Now we have 500 TV Networks, the internet, Movies on Demand, hundreds of video games, and Music that we can download instataneously. Our entertainment options are seemingling endless so only the top-notch ones earn any kind of decent audience.

5. Losing teams. Until this past year the Jam was the worst team in the D-League. Over the past several years the Blaze have been at the bottom or near the bottom in the Cal League. As Count Galeazzo Ciano once said "As always, victory finds a hundred fathers but defeat is an orphan." In today's climate you have to be competitive to consistently draw fans to the ballpark/arena.

Its sad becaus I think it beneficial to the city to have local minor league teams. But unless something changes we may be soon left with only the Condors.