By Jessica Hellen
There are approximately 15 days, 21 hours, 58 minutes and 36 seconds until the home opener of the Ottawa Lynx 2005 baseball season in Ottawa, but unless fan support and attendance rates increase, this could be the team’s last countdown.
“We’re not economically viable,” says Kyle Bostwick, general manager of the Lynx. “We need more people here.”
Bostwick says the team has lost a few hundred thousand dollars a year.
There was speculation that the Lynx would not return to Ottawa for the 2005 season.
Bostwick says it needs 4,000-5,000 fans at the games for the team to be profitable.
According to statistics from the International League, the Lynx had an average attendance of 2,347 last year.
Lynx Stadium can seat 10,332 people.
Randy Mobley, president of the league, says as long as Ottawa is the best option for the team, that’s where it will stay.
“They’ve been working hard, but it’s to the point now where maybe the lion’s share and the people of Ottawa are saying, ‘professional baseball is not that important to us,’ ” he says.
Mobley says there is nothing more essential to triple-A baseball than fan support.
“Attendance is one of the most important issues,” he says.
Bostwick says one reason for the low turnout is that most people associate going to see a baseball game with the summer, and they don’t think about going during the rest of the season.
“We need that support all year long,” he says.
One person who gives the team year-long support is Peter Speak, 53, who has been a season-ticket holder, “since Day 1.”
“Spring isn’t spring without baseball,” he says. “Getting to the ballpark and seeing the players again, it’s a right of passage.
“[Baseball] is an undiscovered treasure and more people need to get out and realize what a wonderful thing it is in this town,” Speak says. “It makes the quality of life in Ottawa much richer.”
Speak says he is thrilled the Lynx will remain in Ottawa this season, but is worried about the future.
“I think we still could lose them next year,” he says.
“The only way we can keep them is to get people to go out and support them. I think we’ve been granted reprieve for one year.”
Speak decided to do his part by selling tickets to friends and colleagues. They ordered the tickets through him and he went to the box office to pick them up and deliver them.
Speak says he sold $4,000-worth of tickets.
“It wasn’t hard, it’s remarkable value,” he says. “[Baseball] is cheap family entertainment, almost cheaper than you can go to a movie. Kids enjoy it and it’s good family value as well.”
Both Speak and Bostwick say the lack of hockey this year could help the team.
“People are going to be hungry for sports,” says Speak.
“It costs hundred of dollars to go to a hockey game, but peanuts for baseball. Sports fans have money in their pockets and they’ll look to spend it somewhere.”
“It will certainly help with attention,” Bostwick says. “The onus is on us to make people come out. The attention the NHL gets at the beginning of the season won’t be there, but it’s up to us to turn that into bums on the seats.”
Bostwick says there are many theme days and special programs planned for the 71 home games.
“We’re hoping to provide the best in summertime entertainment and we’re expecting a lot of family fun,” Bostwick says. “Give us another shot and we’ll have a very successful season on and off the field.”
Bostwick says Family Fun Day will take place every Sunday, and a family of four can spend $40 and get four tickets, four hot dogs and four soft drinks.
Kids can celebrate the end of the week with $5 Jersey Fridays, where any child wearing a sports jersey can see the game for $5.
“There’s fun events at the ballpark for everyone,” Bostwick says. “Both the young and the young at heart.”