GreenJackets Set to Break Franchise Attendance Record
Published on August 15, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
Augusta, GA - For the second straight year the Augusta GreenJackets are set to break its single season franchise attendance record. The GreenJackets will break their attendance mark today, August 15 against the Lexington Legends.
"I think this goes to show how popular baseball is in the CSRA and how much of a turn around the franchise has had since Ripken Baseball took over," GreenJackets General Manager Nick Brown said. "Anytime you can see your attendance raising year after year you know things are moving in the right direction, and your fans and customers agree."
The GreenJackets current franchise season high mark for attendance is 177,780 set one year ago as Augusta again compiled the best winning percentage in Minor League Baseball while making the playoffs for a second straight year.
Augusta's current attendance is just under 176,000 for the season with seven regular season games left. Tonight the GreenJackets are hosting Olympic Night and are giving away 750 backpacks to the first 750 children in attendance, and have a pre-sale of nearly 4,400 tickets. Other popular nights on the schedule include Auggie's Birthday party on Saturday, August 16, Thirsty Thursday on August 28 and Fan Appreciation Night on Friday, August 29.
"I really think the main reason for our ticket sales continuing to rise is our great staff and customer service we have," Brown said. "Our season ticket renewal rate has been going up each year and then on top of the great promotional nights the single seat sales have increased as well."
The GreenJackets have posted winning records each of the past three years with the last two years Augusta recording the best winning percentage in Minor League Baseball. The 2008 season finds Augusta again as one of the top teams in the Minor Leagues with a record of 75-46 and a 4.5 game lead in the Southern Division of the South Atlantic League.
"There are two things we can't control and they are the level of play and the weather," Brown said. "The Giants have been great about sending us some of the top young talent in the league, when it comes to weather we have had a few issues this year during Opening Weekend and the Fourth of July but fans still came out and supported us."
The GreenJackets had record crowds opening the season at home this year before the Master's and then had home games during popular holiday weekends such as the Fourth of July and Memorial Day.
Augusta is set to break the franchise attendance mark today, August 15 against Lexington, the Houston Astros affiliate in the SAL. First pitch today is at 7:05 p.m. with gates opening at 6:00 p.m. as Augusta celebrates Olympics Night at the park.
The GreenJackets are celebrating their 20th Anniversary this season of baseball returning to Augusta. For information on tickets and all the promotions scheduled for this season call the GreenJackets at 706-922-WINS or visit www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 15, 2008
- Suns bow out in 13-inning thriller - Hagerstown Suns
- Captains Tomahawked by Braves 4-1 - Lake County Captains
- BlueClaws strand 12 in 7-5 loss to Charleston - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Drive Can't Hold Off Surging Power, 5-1 - Greenville Drive
- 'Dads overpowered in loss - Hickory Crawdads
- Tourists drop fourth straight - Asheville Tourists
- Monaghan's 3 RBI Leads Birds Past Gnats 6-2 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Rome Over Lake County - Rome Emperors
- 'Power' pitching propels West Virginia to victory - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Bumgarner K's 12 as Jackets Blank Legends - Augusta GreenJackets
- Bumgarner, GreenJackets Shut Out Legends in Game One - Lexington Legends
- Intimidators Jump On Crawdads In 11-3 Victory - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Rome Releases 2009 Schedule - Rome Emperors
- Hickory Crawdads Release 2009 Schedule - Hickory Crawdads
- Paxton Promoted - Columbus Catfish
- GreenJackets Set to Break Franchise Attendance Record - Augusta GreenJackets
- Captains Garage Sale August 21st - Lake County Captains
- Sand Gnats Announce 2009 Schedule - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Asheville Tourists Release 2009 Schedule - Asheville Tourists
- Josh Anderson Statue Night is Aug. 22 - Lexington Legends
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