Fan Value Index 2006 from SI

[BuckWoody]

Sports Illustrated has published their Fan Value Index for 2006 and they have the GABP coming in at #12.

Last year SI.com writers analyzed each Major League ballpark from a fan's vantage point in order to determine which venues offered the best value and experience. But this time around we went to the best source -- the fans. In a survey on SI.com, we asked readers to rank their hometown parks on a variety of criteria, from parking prices to the availability of restrooms to the quality of concessions. We also asked for opinions on what makes the park special -- or disappointing. More than 8,500 responded.

Click here for the article and the index of parks.

Click here for the write-up on Cincinnati.

The reds ranked low (5/10) for "Team" and low again (6/10) for "Neighborhood"...mostly because of the lack of anything happening with The Banks.

[TeamBoone]

I don't understand the comments about entertainment taking away from the game at the GAB. The entertainment occurs between innings, not during play on the field.

I found that weird.

[guttle11]

an overabundance of activities that have nothing to do with baseball. That isn't to say a beautiful view of the Ohio River or spacious seats aren't worth the effort, but there's so much else going on that the watching the game becomes little more than just another entertainment option at the park. And while that provides for a fun day out, it does little to build a lasting relationship between fan and team.

Did they even go to GABP?

To me, GABP is one of the least gimmicky ballparks in the league. That's why I really like it.

[dabvu2498]

Did they even go to GABP?

To me, GABP is one of the least gimmicky ballparks in the league. That's why I really like it.

The Meijer Kids Run On, Skylike Chili Shuffle, Pepsi Power Stacks, Majestic Mr. Reds Race (which now also has a Skyline tie-in), Chevy Great American Race (between red, white and blue Chevys), Big Red Sofa Express, shall I continue???

I shall... Bally's Fitness Flex Cam, Cincinnati Dental Group Reasons to Smile Baseball Bloopers, Taco Bell Late Night Concert Series, etc., etc.

I really do think there are more, but I can't come up with the sponsors in my head for the Scoreboard Stumper, Kiss Cam, and a couple others. (Odd that the two I find interesting and amusing, I don't remember the sponsors for.)

Plus, the constant barrage of advertisements on the main board, the boards on the facades of the upper levels, and the omnipresent outfield signage can be overwhelming.

Add: "Reds Make a Deal," the MDX Reds Crew, the Pepsi Rally Pack, the Snappy Tomato Pizza home run promotion, the Meijer Match-Up Inning, Skyline Chili Kid PA... any others???

[Roy Tucker]

The Meijer Kids Run On, Skylike Chili Shuffle, Pepsi Power Stacks, Majestic Mr. Reds Race (which now also has a Skyline tie-in), Chevy Great American Race (between red, white and blue Chevys), Big Red Sofa Express, shall I continue???

I shall... Bally's Fitness Flex Cam, Cincinnati Dental Group Reasons to Smile Baseball Bloopers, Taco Bell Late Night Concert Series, etc., etc.

I really do think there are more, but I can't come up with the sponsors in my head for the Scoreboard Stumper, Kiss Cam, and a couple others.

Plus, the constant barrage of advertisements on the main board, the boards on the facades of the upper levels, and the omnipresent outfield signage can be overwhelming.

I agree 100%

Whatever happened to talking to the person beside you between innings about the ballgame? Believe or not, we actually are capable of entertaining ourselves for the few minutes between innings. I'd be happy with Ronnie Dale on the organ.

But then, I'm an old fossil and not of the MTV/XBox generation.

[vaticanplum]

Yes...the Reds' gimmicks are only between innings, but they are between EVERY inning. this is not as common as some may think. I wouldn't call it "distracting" per se, but it's noticeable.

Of course, if people went to the ballpark, they might not need to have so many sponsors.

Overall I have few problems with the park or the way it's run though.

[KittyDuran]

I really do think there are more, but I can't come up with the sponsors in my head for the Scoreboard Stumper, Kiss Cam, and a couple others. (Odd that the two I find interesting and amusing, I don't remember the sponsors for.)

Scoreboard Stumper (Pepsi) and the Kiss Cam (Jeff Wyler).

[REDREAD]

But then, I'm an old fossil and not of the MTV/XBox generation.

It's all about maximizing that ad revenue, sadly.

[westofyou]

It's all about maximizing that ad revenue, sadly.

Well you want fat payrolls then you have to get some jack somewhere, the Reds are a ML franchise when it comes to revenue, go to a AAA game sometime and you'll see the same, the Beavers are painfully awash in sponsership and sidenotes.

[TeamBoone]

The Meijer Kids Run On (pregame), Skylike Chili Shuffle (between innings), Pepsi Power Stacks (only lights up and shoots fireworks after a homerun) , Majestic Mr. Reds Race (which now also has a Skyline tie-in), Chevy Great American Race (between red, white and blue Chevys), Big Red Sofa Express, shall I continue??? (the remainder listed here is also done between innings/half innings)

I shall... Bally's Fitness Flex Cam, Cincinnati Dental Group Reasons to Smile Baseball Bloopers, Taco Bell Late Night Concert Series, etc., etc. (all done between innings/half innings)

I really do think there are more, but I can't come up with the sponsors in my head for the Scoreboard Stumper, Kiss Cam, and a couple others. (Odd that the two I find interesting and amusing, I don't remember the sponsors for.) (both done between innings/half innings)

Plus, the constant barrage of advertisements on the main board, the boards on the facades of the upper levels, and the omnipresent outfield signage can be overwhelming. (I agree with this, especially the signs in the OF... which I find distracting because they are ALWAYS there, not just between innings.)

Add: "Reds Make a Deal," the MDX Reds Crew, the Pepsi Rally Pack, the Snappy Tomato Pizza home run promotion, the Meijer Match-Up Inning, Skyline Chili Kid PA... any others??? (again, between innings/half-innings)

Except for the Stacks after a homerun, none of this stuff is going on while the game is being played; in addition, it's not ALL done during one game either, because I haven't seen everything you mentioned... especially in the last paragraph... I've only seen the Pepsi Rally Pack (and I've only seen that done once). That said, I've been to other parks and they pretty much all do this stuff.

In summary, as all but two of the above actually happen during the game (stacks/OF signage... which isn't really a "happening"), I find this complaint to be overblown. If it doesn't happen during the game, how can it be a distraction?

[paintmered]

I agree 100%

Whatever happened to talking to the person beside you between innings about the ballgame? Believe or not, we actually are capable of entertaining ourselves for the few minutes between innings. I'd be happy with Ronnie Dale on the organ.

But then, I'm an old fossil and not of the MTV/XBox generation.

I am of the MTV/XBox generation and I'd rather listen to Ronnie Dale on the organ.

[westofyou]

I am of the MTV/XBox generation and I'd rather listen to Ronnie Dale on the organ.

When I went to Old Comsisky for the first time the organist played "Like a Virgin" during the break..... it rocked.