The Fort Wayne TinCaps are already setting records in their third season. Ticket sales to last night's home opener broke last year's record.
Season tickets and group sales are also at a record high.
"Year one was just crazy, off the charts. Then last year we had another strong crowd of just about 7000 and to beat it last night, we're extremely satisfied" TinCaps President Mike Nutter told FOX Fort Wayne.
Despite rain, wind, and gray skies 7100 fans packed Parkview Field last night.
FOX Fort Wayne met up with TinCaps President Mike Nutter today. Nutter admits, most new organizations see a sales dip as the years go on.
But there are a few exceptions; for instance, the Dayton
The TinCaps aren't quite there, but they're definitely a minor league rarity when it comes to bringing in the crowds. So what's their secret?
Well for one, ticket prices are cheap, just $5 for a lawn seat.
Then of course there's the $30-million ballpark, Parkview Field, with views of the downtown skyline.
Plus there's more Thirsty Thursday, more fireworks shows, and more give-aways this year than ever before.
"Really people just want to experience a night of entertainment and oh there's baseball going on too" Nutter says.
Nutter says group sales contribute the most.
The TinCaps' record attendance is 8500 set back in 2009. Nutter expects to break that this year.
"I think we're going to make a run at that for at one of the AAA games this year" says Nutter.
The four-game AAA series will take place in mid-July at Parkview Field, and feature some of the best minor league players.
"We don't want to keep selling and make a few more bucks at the expense of the fan experience and not have enough restrooms and concessions and those kinds of things, but maybe for that day we can do an 8600 or 8700 and set a new record" he says.
