Actual attendance figures reveal big difference in reported attendance numbers from Travs

A story in Monday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette by Jake Sandlin examines attendance trends in the first four years of Dickey-Stephens Park and development that was expected to occur around the ballpark.

While the Arkansas Travelers don't report actual attendance to the public, the franchise is apparently required to report it to North Little Rock government officials.

Perhaps the greatest revelation in the story is that we actually get to see the difference in the announced crowd, which is the figure the Travs push off as attendance and is reported in the box score, versus the real number of people in the stadium, which the Travs know every night thanks to the ticket scanners everyone must pass through on their way in the gates.

Here's a breakdown of announced attendance versus actual attendance the last two years:

Average 2009 announced attendance -- 5,416
Average 2009 actual attendance -- 3,087

Average 2010 announced attendance -- 4,940
Average 2010 actual attendance -- 2,662

There is a big difference in the numbers when you take away all the season ticket holders and advertisers that get seats who aren't there on a nightly bases.

Sure, everyone does it, will be the front office's excuse, and was from Bill Valentine when the issue was raised on this website a couple of years ago. If the University of Arkansas can drastically exaggerate attendance at a spring football game, why can't everyone else?

Still, it's not an honest figure, and as long as they are keeping track, why not report both? Some people are actually interested in seeing the real attendance.

Another issue Sandlin's article touches on is the development around the ballpark that was apparently expected back when Dickey-Stephens was under construction.

Can you believe someone actually thought it would be a good idea to build some kind of high-rise building in the open space beyond center field and a shopping development along the left-field side?

Man, why bother even putting it next to the river if you are going to turn around and let someone block the view with a multi-story building? Wait, I guess that's what North Little Rock allowed with Verizon Arena so don't be surprised if this eventually happens.

Farewell, Peabody ducks.

-- Travelerocity reporter

Comments

[P. Allen Sith]

I find it funny that the editor of that Baseball on Broadway publication that is passed out after games actually mentioned there was a hot stove meeting that was canceled. SHHHHH!!!! No one is supposed to know that!

[Hawkeye Pierce]

I agree that there is no benefit to blocking the stadium's view of the skyline. However, I thought the mid-rise building shown in the conceptual drawings at the corner of Willow & 3rd was an interesting concept. Having a balcony view of baseball games during the summer (and of the skyline all year round) might be a selling point.

[The Travelerocity reporter]

What ever happened to the Wyndham hotel plans to build a 10-story tower with a pool on top that overlooked the field?

http://travelerocity.blogs.com/travelerocity/2007/01/wyndham_hotel_p.html

[Buddy Villano]

Speaking of Scott Ford Sell Out Arena, the whole idea from the architects was supposed to be that it would serve as a lighthouse on the river. That's why there is so much glass at the front entrance. You knew it was a bad sign when after a month or so they decided it cost too much to keep the lights on to give that lighthouse effect, but I never imagined North Little Rock's mayor and city council would completely disregard the original intent and let someone build a condo building right in front of it blocking the view of the river and blocking the view of the arena from the river and the other side of the river -- a condo building few want to live in, by the way.

[LR Fan]

I remember, way back in the good old days, when Travs attendance was reported in the box score as two numbers: actual attendance and National Association (NA) attendance. The National Association was (still is?) the organization of minor league baseball, just like MLB. While the minor leagues were struggling in the 70's, the NA allowed teams to report either actual attendance or the actual attendance plus season ticket holders. This number came to be known as the National Association Attendance.

I'm sure the NA was trying to shore up numbers for some teams but, in a long-forgotten sign of honesty, Bill Valentine reported both numbers. The Travs would lead the Texas League reporting NA attendance figures but he still knew how many butts were in seats buying beer and hot dogs.

[Zouhair]

Just curious ..and a ttolaly unrelated question. Does anyone know what is the reasoning is on playing Jake Miller on the kicking receive team on the front line in the middle, directly across from the opposing team's kicker. I can see having your best running back on the kick receive team, I just find it odd they are playing him where typically it would be someone more on the bruiser level at the front line blocking. I only noticed it last week, not sure if it's been that way all year.