For Funsies: Conference Reallignment/Creation

My Dad was a season ticket holder for the Aberdeen Ironbirds for years. At the time they were a short-season Single A team in the Baltimore Orioles organization. The fun, for him, wasn't the games themselves. It was trying to predict which players would make it to the show. And the promotional stuff was just a sideshow, to him. I went to a few games with him - taking that attitude they were a lot of fun. Just a different kind than when I went to Camden Yards.
 
I agree that it's easier to invest your interest in a minor league team when you're a fan of their major league affiliation. Smartest thing the Orioles did was put their farm teams in Maryland and Virginia.
 

I agree, I think that's a big factor. If our team was a minor league team of the Nats or Phillies who are local(ish)... you'd prob have more excitement about it. Even the Braves to an extent after we had their team here for so long.

With us being in the Giants Organization.... unless you're a giants fan... most don't see/pay attention to these guys after they leave Richmond... unless they end up on your franchise.
 
Ululating Daddy said:
I agree that it's easier to invest your interest in a minor league team when you're a fan of their major league affiliation. Smartest thing the Orioles did was put their farm teams in Maryland and Virginia.
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I lived in Maryland til 97..... and I remember at one time the Delmarva Shorebirds (my local team when I lived there).... were a minor league affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays...., and I never understood that, since you had the Baltimore Orioles an hour or two away. I think they are now with Orioles now.
 
Yep. Norfolk, Bowie, Aberdeen, and Salisbury.
 
The Flying Squirrels led AA in attendance last season and average close to what the Braves did most years. Regardless of affiliation the draw is going to be the same. Most fans don't care about watching prospects it's just something cheap to do outside on a Saturday night.

The Orioles affiliates are all in close proximity, have had a string of top prospects come through and nobody shows up to watch them.
 
Ululating Daddy said:
I agree that it's easier to invest your interest in a minor league team when you're a fan of their major league affiliation. Smartest thing the Orioles did was put their farm teams in Maryland and Virginia.
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The opportunity was there this year as the Nats needed a AAA team but they went for another team cuz the facilities are trash.
 
As a baseball purist you are making the mistake of thinking that baseball is the product. The silly characters, overpriced food and drinks, garish artwork, giveaways and dumb games between the innings are the product. It doesn't sound like it is for you and that is ok but they know their target audience.
 
N Mollen said:
I think the Squirrels were contractually obligated to the Giants when the Nats were looking.
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Pretty sure the Squirrels just extended with the Giants. Last time around there was too much uncertainty surrounding a new stadium for the Nats to look at Richmond. I'm sure Richmond in not off of the table down the road for the Nats if the City of Richmond actually builds a new stadium. I personally would not look at moving to Richmond until there is actually a new stadium in place, based on the City of Richmond's sketchy history of failed promises regarding building a new stadium.
 
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