With Spring Training around the corner, and the 2012 starting as the winter season ends, the question is this?
How does one market the Baltimore Orioles?
We know that the 20th anniversary of Camden Yards is this year and the organization will be having several things going on with that. That being said, it’s a great marketing tool, but at the end of the day – I care about the product on the field and winning.
Camden Yards has been kept in immaculate condition, and it’s still a gold standard of ballparks everywhere. There have been more additions to it in terms of concessions, seating options and more attractions.
Well, that’s all wonderful and good; however, once again, the product on the field has not left much to be desired.
Back in the day, Camden Yards was filled and it seemed that you had to know someone to get a ticket. Now, it’s fairly easy to get one – well, maybe not Opening Day – and there are some night you can’t even give them away.
As of now, the Orioles are by all accounts supposed to finish last in American League East. They have players such as Matt Wieters, Nick Markakis, slugger Mark Reynolds, Adam Jones and J.J. Hardy on the squad; however, does anyone really care about this team in the dead of winter? Is there any excitement – aside from hardcore fans – for the season to be approaching?
Until now, have the Oriole signed anyone of great significance to a contract?
Fan Fest is this weekend, and while the Orioles do a good job with that – is there a reason to get excited for the event? Or even the upcoming season? Is it worth buying season tickets? Team gear?
Reading the various comments on the many articles on the local media websites, forums, and other blogs, most fans are not that enthralled – so far – with the additions that the Orioles have made.
The Baltimore Orioles have not won since I was in my third year of college. That was in 1998. The economy was humming, a lot of people seemed to be getting rich, the internet bubble had not burst, America was not involved in two wars and gas was still relatively cheap.
As well, the Baltimore Ravens were an up-and-coming football team, but didn’t have a foothold on the region like they do now.
The Ravens are on the cusp of a Super Bowl – again.
The Orioles?
Are they stuck between a rock and a hard place? In Purgatory? In neutral? Hell, the post-season isn’t happening for the franchise anytime soon.
With 14 years – and likely more of losing – how does one get fans back into the ballpark? Sadly, I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel anytime soon, especially with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays as favorites in the American League East; meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays seem to be a sleeping giant.
Down the road, in Washington D.C., hope seems to be around the corner with the Nationals and their re-tooled roster. Yes, they have sucked – much like the Orioles – for a while, but seem to be now contenders in the National League East and now have fans in that area excited.
What can be done?
How can fans get interested in the Baltimore Orioles again?
