Gnats Primed to Pass Attendance Mark
Published on August 4, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. -When the Sand Gnats return home from Augusta on Wednesday night, they will start a four-game homestand and will pass last year's attendance mark of 91,722 during Wednesday or Thursday's games against Columbus. It will be the fourth straight year the Sand Gnats have increased attendance at Historic Grayson Stadium.
Entering the homestand with Columbus, Savannah has seen 90,766 fans come through the turnstiles at Historic Grayson Stadium. That averages out to 1,592 fans per opening. Minor League Baseball defines an opening as any time a team opens the gates for a game or games. Doubleheaders only count as one opening.
The Sand Gnats have 12 home games left this season and if they keep on their current pace, they should surpass the 100,000-fan mark this season. If they get to 100,000, it would be a 70-percent increase over the 2004 season, when Savannah averaged 957 fans per opening and drew a total of 58,379.
"I've been here since the 2004 season and we've never had 100,000 fans come out during a season," General Manager Bradley Dodson said. "It's been one of my goals since I took over as G.M. to see 100,000 fans out at the ballpark."
The increased attendance over the past few seasons can be attributed to the renovations the park has undergone like more spacious seating, a state-of-the-art video board, new playing surface as well as improved concessions. Savannah's new ownership group, Hardball Capital, also generated a new buzz about the team in 2008.
Savannah (20-21) continues its four-game series in Augusta tonight at Lake Olmstead Stadium, just 6.5 games out of first place in the South Atlantic League Southern Division. Savannah returns home Wednesday for a Food Lion MVP Wednesday where fans with a Food Lion MVP Card receive half off a General Admission ticket. For tickets and more information, call 912.351.9150 or visit www.sandgnats.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 4, 2008
- 'Dads drop Braves - Hickory Crawdads
- Myers brilliant in win for Suns - Hagerstown Suns
- Hoppers Host "Bark in the Park" on Aug. 5; Babe's All-Star Collar Up for Grabs on eBay - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Schultz Finishes 6-4 Loss With 3-for-3 Performance - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Backed by Five Homers, RiverDogs Blast Drive 15-0 - Greenville Drive
- Tourists drop third straight - Asheville Tourists
- Power score 600th run in win - Charleston Dirty Birds
- OverPowered: Birds Fall 9-4 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Lakewood rallies for 6-4 win over Greensboro - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Captains Streak Snapped, 3-2 - Lake County Captains
- Legends rally late for win - Lexington Legends
- Jackets Secure Series Win over Sand Gnats - Augusta GreenJackets
- Hits don't eaqual runs in loss for Intimidators - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Gnats Primed to Pass Attendance Mark - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Four-Game Homestand Set To Start August 6 at The Joe - Charleston RiverDogs
- BlueClaws team up with Dean Randazzo to host Surf Night - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Greg Sexton Named Hitter of the Week - Columbus Catfish
- Suns in Full Swing with Fourth Annual "You've Been Ticketed" Program - Hagerstown Suns
- Brett Favre Night Tonight at Lake Olmstead Stadium - Augusta GreenJackets
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