ThunderBolts set team attendance record08/22/2009 3:11 PM
 Even though the game was played 483 miles away, the Windy City ThunderBolts set a new single season attendance record on Friday.
As the game report was filed upon the completion of Sunday’s suspended game, also recorded were the 1,364 fans in attendance pushing the ThunderBolts to 91,120 breaking last season’s mark of 90,616.
The record setting total was achieved in 40 openings, 11 fewer than last season when Windy City did not have a single home rainout and also received three extra games at home due to Midwest being a travel team in 2008. The ThunderBolts have averaged 2,278 fans per game at Standard Bank Stadium, an increase of 28.3% over 2008. That mark includes nine dates with an attendance of 3,000 or more in a ballpark with a seating capacity of 2,598. The team set a single game attendance record of 3,456 with their August 14th contest against Washington.
“We want to thank our fans for continuing to support us through some rough economic times,” said Windy City General Manager, Steve Tahsler. “Our fans mean a lot to us and we appreciate their support as we continue to strive towards a third consecutive division title and beyond.”
A large reason that fans are coming to Standard Bank Stadium in record numbers is affordability. In an economy where families are looking for a more cost effective choice for their entertainment dollar, the ThunderBolts offer the lowest ticket price for individual game box seats ($9) of any of the Chicago area minor league teams as well as dollar hot dogs, popcorn and sodas available at every game. In addition, the ThunderBolts offer $1 beer on Thursday and Friday nights and have fireworks after every Saturday home game.
In addition, community minded events have helped bring people to the ballpark. Perhaps the best example of this concept was when Windy City hosted Baldy Sour Night. The ThunderBolts partnered with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Fantastic Sams to sponsor a head shaving event in an effort to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Any fan who signed up ahead of time to get their head shaved received a free ticket to the game plus a voucher for a hot dog and a soda. In all, the night raised over $4,000 for St. Baldrick’s in their quest to eliminate pediatric cancer. Other theme nights have included Return of the Cheetahs Night, Elvis Night, Salute to the Military, Church Night and Biker Night among others. In addition, the ThunderBolts had four days this season geared towards kids with two school days and two Big Splash Days where the team has worked with local school and park districts to bring children out to day games.
Winning helps too as Windy City has won the last two Frontier League championships are currently lead the West Division with 14 games remaining.
100,000 fans on the season is a realistic goal for the ThunderBolts who have six home games remaining in the regular season. The team would need to average 1,480 fans during the homestand to achieve that mark.
For more information, contact the ThunderBolts at 708-489-BALL stop by the Standard Bank Stadium ticket office or go to the team’s website at www.wcthunderbolts.com. |
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