A Crowd Draws a Crowd
Tim Ball
Thursday February 12, 2004
But many people still don’t understand this Pow! type of football. Just the same, if we take as much time telling media outlets to report on our sport as we tell our friends about it, than the future is assured to be bright.
Remember a “businessman” can buy a team today and sell it the next season. But fans remain in charge of who buys the tickets.
While watching the Fury verses the SaberCats game with members of the SaberClaws fan club at their away/home base at Moorpark Round Table Pizza, a funny scene developed. There were loyal fans watching the six-foot large wide screen in the divided dining area. A pair of other folks came in, then two young guys. Also, a very professional looking couple moved over from a booth to watch the game.
On the other side of the room divider was some sort of an office gathering of twenty or more people and Kathy Lee was talking on CNN on a small TV.
Every roar of SaberCats satisfaction coming from our side drew more and more eyes away from Gifford’s ex-wife. The two young guys who said they were leaving 20 minutes earlier were talking football now and asking about the San Jose players.
“This happens a lot,” said a SaberClaws member, before snapping his head back to the game.
By the middle of the third quarter you could hear no volume from Kathy’s interview (sorry CNN), but you could easily hear the new conversation: “Yeah, this is that arena team that plays at Compaq where the Sharks play,” said one guy. “I know,” said another guy in response, “these guys like never lose or something.”
“Like never lose is right. The SaberCats are their own worst enemy and seem to pump up the competition come playoff time,” said one of the SaberClaws, who preferred to stay anonymous. “It’s nice to have home field advantage but we always play underdogs and they go all out to beat us.” Making the playoffs every season isn’t bad either.
The Crowd Remained
Though unfortunately not a sell out for either the SaberCats or Round Table, one thing was clear; we are not nuts for liking Arena Football.
“I have been a fan since the first season,” said season ticket holder and SaberClaws member Erin Norris. “The SaberCats have always given us a good team, and I’ve seen the number of fans grow a lot every season. Whenever we watch these games at a restaurant, other people always end up watching the game and now they are coming to home games as well.”
The guy part of the sharp-dressed couple feigned fullness over finishing his meal too fast. It didn’t seem to bother his other half. “Did you see that?” I heard him say more than once. And after seeing he was among friends the next table over, he started the “yeah-fist” thing.
Over the divider there was an active conversation between “them” and “us.” Every time Clevan Thomas, Omarr Smith or a defensive lineman caused an Andy Kelly pass to go haywire (not something an SJ fan is used to) we had to explain the inevitable questions about rules and game procedure, the boards, the net . . . etc., etc.
Chalk up a couple more fans.
Drawing that Crowd
Politicians and televangelists are good at crowd drawing. But usually when we leave them, we are sold a bill of goods in empty boxes. Both our money and trust are sometimes completely wasted. Not so with the sports league that put quality before setting a price.
The Cobras not only ended their 17-game losing streak, but there were fans in attendance when they did it. Autographs of players should briefly take a back seat to the best fans in the league for the first games of the season. Seems the Panthers aren’t the only class act in Carolina.
I wonder if the Arena Football League Writers Association will have a weekly award for spectators? Sorry “Pitizens of the Snake Pit.” You may have to wait ‘til playoff time.
As for the SaberCats and the league? It is time for AFL fans to rise up and inundate local press and media for coverage.
Ask them this question: Which is the minor league from the other: NASCAR or INDY?
There is a crowd growing outside of the buildings that produce an endless supply of paper for our birdcages. They can no longer smugly ignore our cries for articles about our favorite football players. And let’s face it, what fan wouldn’t enjoy his Tweety pooing on rival teams photo. Newspaper sales would skyrocket for just such a reason from team to team, town to town.
Counting on major sports reporters to see quality over entourage, parties and fringe groupies can happen, but only when arena fans force the media from their fantasies and have them see ours.
Al Trautwig at halftime (completely covered by his suit) should bring only highlights of the arena games. (Not about returning coaches to the outdoor game, Al!) Al needs to showcase AFL stars as stars.
Maybe stretching with a segment on an ex-AFL player like former Chicago Rush running back Antonio Chatman is OK but that’s about all I think we should hear about the outdoor game.
The In-Crowd
The AFL is no longer some “other” league with a “few loyal fans” in out-of-the-way cities.
But, losing smaller market teams should be fought at all costs. The loyalty of cities like Grand Rapids is the foundation of the league. Then again, growth is good for everyone.
The league is becoming bigger and bigger, and we all know there is power in numbers.
Relying on celebrities to grow the league has not been the equation for success. It is players and fans in a game that stands on merit and not a handout. A free ticket is like breathing in a smoke filled room; it is unhealthy for everyone!
The growing crowds drew the owners because the owners saw the value in the crowds. Business is business. Like the guys on the other side of the divider between SaberCats fans and those watching a Larry King interview. No one can resist looking at a bunch of people gathering for a good time.
A crowd draws a crowd.
That is the formula that has brought success to the AFL. And it always will be.
Tim Ball is a writer in the Chicagoland area. Married and father of three, his opinions on Arena Football reflects the positive aspect of the game as a family event second to none in pro sports.
