Birdland beginning to chirp again
If you buy into the concept that the Orioles are playing with a new attitude -- and how can you argue that, given their 6-3 start versus the 2-16 disaster of last season? -- there also seemed to be a new attitude among the fans at Camden Yards during the team's just-concluded opening home-stand.
In fact, the cheering from the stands seemed more intense and spirited than it has in years -- even when the crowds were small. (More on that in a moment.)
During the Orioles 3-0 loss to the Texas Rangers Sunday, the fans even seemed to have a collective chip on their shoulders, which was nice to see.
After both Adrian Beltre's solo homer in the fourth inning and Ian Kinsler's two-run shot in the seventh landed in the left-field stands, chants of "Throw it back! Throw it back!" were heard. And both balls were soon disdainfully thrown back on the field. (One fan must have had a cannon for an arm -- his throw rolled almost to second base.)
Except for a brief outbreak of the Wave -- and when will this stupid thing go away once and for all? -- the cheering from the crowd of 36,243 was high-energy for all nine innings.
As for the attendance figures at Camden Yards so far, it's best not to read too much into them this early in the season.
Opening Day was a sell-out, naturally, with an announced crowd of 46,593 that included standing-room-only tickets on hand for the Orioles 5-1 win over the Detroit Tigers Monday.
Attendance the next two nights dipped to 12,451 for the Orioles' 7-3 loss to the Tigers Wednesday night and 11,648 for their 9-5 win over Detroit Thursday night.
And while some observers were alarmed at those two figures, it's important to remember two things.
No. 1, the Tigers aren't a big draw, even if they're expected to be a contender for the American League Central title.
And no. 2, the Orioles traditionally don't draw big weekday crowds until school is out in June and parents start bringing their kids to the ballpark again.
All in all, there was a great atmosphere at the ballpark for all six games.
If you're an Orioles fan -- or even just a fan of baseball -- you just hope it continues.
Comments
If Angelos wants the attendance to rise, he'll have to sign an ambassador. Someone that the world associates the team with. A player who doesn't talk much, but has an unparalleled work ethic with the results to show.
Posted by: dspedden | April 11, 2011 11:50 AM
I was out for 2 games ( Monday & Sunday). Yes it is nice to see crowds cheering for the O's. Lets see what happens when the Redsox and Yankees come to town. Will the same fans be cheering or will they sell there tickets.
Posted by: Jerry | April 11, 2011 12:24 PM
Spot on Kevin. I was there at the front of section 27 with my 10 year-old daughter and grown son and even with the O's losing by 3 the crowd was electric with certainly a new buzz of expectation and I think appreciation in the air for the way the team is playing the game and the positive attitude that the players were displaying. It has been a long time since I have put driving up on a Sunday from the Delaware beaches on my calendar but after this experience I will be making every Sunday home game that I can.
Posted by: Patrick | April 11, 2011 1:31 PM
Agreed about the Wave! So sick and tired of it!
If anything, it's just proving how little most Orioles fan know about going to baseball games.
Worst thing is that they always start it when we are in the field!
I will continue to protest the wave from my season ticket seats and yell at drunk college kids that try to start it.
Posted by: Steve G | April 11, 2011 4:45 PM
Kevin,
You know and I know that the real test for how much the O's fans "are back" will be when the Yankees and Red Sox come to town.
And to insure that the crowds come out and get excited, Buck's Birds will have to play well on this road trip which won't be easy. Doable though but not easy.
The winning and sound baseball must continue in order for the warehouse to be able to sell this product. Otherwise we will once again become beseiged by Red Sox Nation and the heathens from New York.
Posted by: Jay from Connecticur | April 11, 2011 9:03 PM
Steve- I'm a college kid and will be at hopefully dozens of games this summer, often drunk. You're totally right about drunk college kids loving the wave. Go O's!
Posted by: BmoreBirds | April 12, 2011 5:17 PM