2011 Season in Review

For four years I worked for the Trenton Thunder as a game day staff member in their production department. Then, in 2011 I became a full time front office member as a production assistant. Everyone in minor league baseball is expected to sell tickets. So even though I was a production assistant the last hour of my day would be devoted to selling tickets.

Minor league baseball is unique in that people do not usually come to the game to watch baseball. They come to have an affordable night out with the family, and to be entertained. One-way the Thunder adds value to their ticket is the daily promotions. On Super Value Tuesdays, kids eat free, and the hot dogs are one dollar. On Thirsty Thursdays, bud and bud light beers are 2 dollars. Also Thursday and Saturday games have fireworks after the game.

Another great way the Thunder adds value to their tickets is offering mini plans. Mini plans are 5 or 6 game plans that offer the best games the Thunder have to offer. These games include firework and giveaway nights. Every mini plan also comes with a free hat, popcorn, hot dog and soda to each game within the plan. 2011 was the first year that all of the mini plans available have sold old. There is now a waiting list for the 2012 mini plans that will go on sale September 22^nd.

2011 was the year of the rehab. The Trenton Thunder has had 5 rehab appearances this year: Phil Hughes, Derek Jeter, Brad Lidge, Shane Victorino, and Ramiro Pena. During the 6 games featuring Jeter, Lidge, and Victorino spanning from July 2^nd to July 17^th Waterfront Park was at capacity standing room only. With Jeter’s July 3^rd game breaking an all time attendance record of 9,212, and the July 2^nd game coming in 3^rd all time with 9,002.

The Thunder ended the season up by 4.71% in ticket sales from the 2010 season. These numbers could have been better. There were 5 rained out games that lost attendances. Then, Hurricane Irene hit, and people could not get to our ballpark for two games because the major roads leading to the stadium were closed. It also did not help that the Thunder failed to make the playoffs.

As Charles Dickens said, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of time”. This year was a trying year with rehabs being the best of times and failing to make the playoff the worst. For more information on the Trenton Thunder visit www.trentonthunder.com.