Houston Astros Fail To Give Back To Fans?

In a letter to the sports editor of the Houston Chronicle on June 27, a fan wrote that the Houston Astros are failing to give back to the fans. It is stated that he and his family attended the Astros-Rockies games, and was disappointed as to the way the Astros treated the fans.

He further stated that the games were not open until 11:30am (after the Astros had completed batting practice) and only three Astros came out to sign autographs before the game. In conclusion, he stated that the high ticket, concession, and souvenir prices are needed pay the salaries of their hometown heros.

After reading this letter, it made me think about what the gentleman had written. Should the fans expect the team to treat them with respect, taking care of them, and providing for their needs, to keep them coming back? I guess that is a hard question to ask.

I think that fans should be treated a bit better. They spend their hard earned money to go to the games, and without the fans, the teams would play to empty seats.

Fans want to be part of the game. What is wrong with that? I think the teams should have policies concerning the activities that come "with" the game. Allowing fans to watch batting practice is not a big deal. Having some players on the rail, signing autographs, is not a big deal. Providing for the fans should be a team's number one priority. Baseball is a business to the owners and players, but it is entertainment for the fans.

Most companies figured out many years ago that the "customer is always right." Perhaps Major League Baseball and their teams should realize that with all the negative issues out there concerning professional baseball, they should turn their attention to putting and keeping people in the stands. Baseball has slipped to number three among professional sports in the USA. They must get more "fan friendly" in order to keep the masses coming back.

Just something to think about.

Spurs Win! Not A Pretty Thing, But WHO CARES!

The San Antonio Spurs won game one of the 2005 NBA Finals last night. Sports Illustrated writer Chris Mannix said it was without style. I totally agree. Who said a team must have style to win? As long as the players bond and work together, who cares about their style? That is exactly the point he wa strying to make. They worked together and got the job done. That is what sports is suppose to be about. It was a great show for the masses. I just wish that more teams could play like the Spurs did last night. It was a pleasure to watch players that don't care about their image and their "style." They just pulled together and got the job done.

Link to Chris Mannix's article here---> http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/chris_mannix/06/10/spurs.boring/