Mike West knows the challenge facing Creighton's baseball program as it moves to TD Ameritrade Park leaves little margin for error.
“We have one chance to do this right,” said West, CU's associate athletic director in charge of marketing. “If we don't get this done this year the way we need to get this done, we will have trouble succeeding there.
“But if we are successful, it will make it easier for the future. We have to make a big splash this year.”
Creighton baseball, which for most of its existence has been but a blip on Omaha's sports radar, has a 10-year lease to play at the city's new 24,000-seat stadium. Filling even a quarter of those seats will be a tall order for a program that through the years has struggled to attract fans.
Creighton averaged 1,314 for 22 home games in 2010. If the two games the Bluejays played against Nebraska at Rosenblatt Stadium are removed from the equation, the average drops to 764 — 1,334 for nine other games at Rosenblatt and 297 for 11 games at their on-campus facility.
Creighton and Nebraska will play the first game at TD Ameritrade Tuesday, with a sellout crowd of 24,000 expected. The Bluejays and the Huskers also will play May 10. In the past, their May meeting traditionally drew the largest crowd of the season.
Creighton will play 10 other regular-season games at TD Ameritrade this season, in addition to hosting the Missouri Valley tournament in late May.
“If we could average 6,000 for our non-Nebraska games,” West said, “I think that would be considered a great success this first year.”
West said the new stadium will provide a natural spike in attendance, as casual fans will come for a game or two to see the place. But in order to build long-term success, West said, Creighton has to step up its marketing efforts in baseball.
It started with a push to increase season-ticket sales, which has produced sales of more than 2,000 for the inaugural season. West said Creighton's previous season-ticket high was about 1,000 in 2008, when the school started playing more of its home schedule at Rosenblatt.
He hopes to sell more season tickets Monday when Creighton holds an open house at TD Ameritrade from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“I've always felt your season-ticket sales are your base of support and is the most important thing,” West said. “People become vested in the program when they buy a season ticket, and that's been our main focus.”
Creighton also has tried to increase its group sales. Certain games will be designated to appeal to a specific audience, such as military appreciation night, downtown business night or youth baseball night. Discount tickets will be available for those games.
“Minor-league baseball in general does a wonderful job with group sales, so we've tried to emulate what they do with some of the groups,” West said.
Creighton also must do a better job of entertaining fans once it gets them to the park, West said.
“We have a great building that is going to be very fan friendly,” he said. “We have a lot of bells and whistles that can help us create an even better atmosphere.”
Of course, a winning product on the field can help. Coach Ed Servais and his players are doing all they can in that regard, as the Bluejays are enjoying one of their best seasons in years.
The Bluejays are 26-7 after Sunday's win at Indiana State and are alone in first place in the Missouri Valley.
“The team is doing what it needs to do,” West said. “They're doing their job, and they're fun to watch. If you win in this town, people are going to show up.
“I think anyone that has seen Ed's style of ball appreciates how his kids approach the game. My job this first year is to expose as many people to Ed Servais ball at a place where they can actually find a parking space and they don't have to go to a game at 3 in the afternoon.”
Creighton's chances to draw fans to its on-campus sports complex always was hindered by the lack of lights, which required the Bluejays to play afternoon games. Parking, especially during midweek and Friday games when school is in session, also has been a drawback.
Of course, there is one factor in that Creighton has no control over, and that could come into play for the opening game. Tuesday's forecast calls for rain with high temperatures in the mid-40s.
“We need a little break from Mother Nature,” West said.
Contact the writer:
402-679-2298, steve.pivovar@owh.com
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