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. |
Browse by Year »
2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
Browse by Month »
April 2024 February 2024 January 2024 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 November 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 September 2020 June 2020 April 2020 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 January 2018 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 November 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 |
