Looking for a sign of spring? Visit Franklin Covey Field. Throughout the offices of the Salt Lake Buzz are boxes stuffed with envelopes containing season tickets -- some 3,800 purchases in all.
With opening day less than two weeks away, the top affiliate of the Minnesota Twins is abuzz with activity and optimism. While the office staff is busy finalizing sponsorships, selling tickets and completing other tasks; and while the grounds crew has the field and stadium pretty much ready to go; the Buzz are slowly but surely being assembled at spring training in Florida."I feel good about it," said Buzz owner Joe Buzas, whose franchise opens its sixth season in Utah at home against the Iowa Cubs on April 8. "(Salt Lake) is a good baseball community, and I think we're going to have a good ball club."
Buzas, however, remains a bit skeptical.
Despite five consecutive winning seasons, which include three postseason appearances, attendance at Buzz games has decreased each year. Even so, Salt Lake continues to lead the Pacific Coast League in fan support.
And that, Buzas added, is enough to keep the franchise from pushing the panic button. Several factors work into the drop from an average of 10,189 fans in 1994 to 8,158 per game in 1998. Among the circumstances out of Buzz control are weather, Utah Jazz playoff success, the creation of the WNBA's Utah Starzz, and I-15 reconstruction (which has closed both the on- and offramps at 13th South).
Buzas acknowledges it's all had an impact on Salt Lake's season-ticket sales, which are about the same as last year but more than 1,000 down from previous seasons. Interestingly, sponsorships haven't dropped. In fact, Buzas said the Buzz have more corporate support than ever.
Assistant general manager Dorcena Picknell said the organization has also increased partnerships with community groups. A fund-raising program includes more than 50 schools and a parks and recreation day has been created.
And, in an effort to make attendance at Buzz games more convenient, team officials opted to move the start time of evening contests in April and May. Instead of 7 p.m., the games will start at 6:15 p.m. Buzas, who is taking a wait-and-see approach to the switch, hopes the early time will allow school-age children to attend games during the week. The Buzz surveyed fans who felt the start time would make a difference for other reasons as well, including weather.
In addition, Buzas said food choices at Franklin Covey Field have been increased to give families a variety of dinner options at the ballpark.
The problem, though, at least early on, will be attracting crowds on nights when the Utah Jazz are playing. Because of the NBA's compacted schedule after the lockout, the Jazz and Buzz have numerous conflicting home dates. Three of Salt Lake's first four home games, including the season opener with Iowa, go head-to-head with NBA contests in the Delta Center.
In all, six Jazz regular season games and potentially a lot of playoff games will put a dent in Buzz attendance. Despite the turnstile competition, the franchises maintain a cordial relationship. Buzas rarely misses a game from his courtside seats in the Delta Center and Jazz players regularly attend Buzz games. In fact, several are expected to accept invitations from Buzas to suit up and help coach first base for three innings at selected games this season.
The Buzz, however, do face some adversity. It comes from the University of Georgia, which claims to hold legal rights to Salt Lake's nickname. Buzas offered a proposal to settle the issue (offering to share some merchandising revenues), but the university has failed to respond. The copyright issue will likely be settled in court.
"We haven't heard from them," said Buzas. "It's one of those things. I'm not worried about it. We're going to fight it."
Beginning this season, Buzz caps will include the words "Salt Lake" above the logo. Uniforms will do likewise in 2000.
BEE LINES: Buzz officials are hoping to have new Salt Lake Olympic Committee president Mitt Romney throw out the ceremonial first pitch on opening day . . . Minnesota Twins bats will be given away to the first 1,500 kids attending the opener . . . Before coming to terms with the San Diego Padres, singer-turned-ballplayer Garth Brooks inquired about playing for the Buzz. His agent contacted Buzas . . . Buzas said he has no plans to extend Salt Lake's affiliation with the Twins if they are sold and moved to Charlotte, N.C.