The last time I checked, people around this town didn't have much to do. For my money, a Grizzlies game is as good as it gets in Fresno. You'll always have the baseball, and the things they do on top of the game are great fun. My daughter hates sports, but loves Parker the mascot. He's worth the price of admission for her. I'm thankful we've got a team that puts in the extra effort to entertain all fans, not just diehard baseball folks.

andy's right, they know fans are in no matter what, and they're trying to lure in and placate/entertain the rest. this is true of most sporting events these days. as a sports fan, i find it annoying. but, i've heard that we are in the minority. i remember listening to an interview, i think it was with artie moreno (owner of the downtown los angeles angels of aneheim south of disney) and he was talking about this very thing. he figured that fans hated this other "experience" stuff, but as they surveyed people it didn't turn out like that.

i haven't been to many grizzlies games, but i went to several fuego ones. the promo people are always yammering on about what scorcher (i think he's the same guy in the suit as parker of the grizzlies) is doing. the fuego are also in cohoots with little ceaser's pizza, so their mascot is always there, too. the promo people are giving away free pizza, throwing mini-soccer balls, whatever. the "mascots" are dancing on the dugout, etc. all the while, i'm trying to watch soccer. at least in baseball most of this tomfoolery happens in between innings. at a soccer game, so much happens during the action. it's like having a little kid nag at you while your trying to do something important. okay, maybe i'm exaggerating it a touch, because it's just a game and all. but, hey, we paid to see the game, not the mascot. then again, i guess it's all part of the show.

so, i figure those of us who don't like it just have to grin and bear it. but i'm not shaking the mascot's hand when he walks by me.

They know true baseball fans will come no matter what: They need to draw the other people to get the attendance and revenues up.This is true at AT&T games as well. Plus with minor league games it really is almost like pro football exhibition games: The players are quality, the players are trying to win, the stadium is nice but the coaches first priority is not to win but to develop players for later down the road i.e the Majors or in the case of football the regular season. They will let a pitcher get shelled while he is building his arm strength or working on a new pitch. They may play a younger player over an older player who maybe better solely because the younger player still has shot at the Majors.
I went to the past three games and enjoyed the three wins , clapped with the inane shticks( sometimes) and had a good time. Is it real baseball? No but it the best we have for now. I do admit I hate the new video game stations they have set up on the concourse. There are kids at the baseball game and they are sitting in front of a tv set playing Guitar Hero or something else. It could have been at least a baseball video game.
I did see Scott McClain of the Grizzlies hit three HRs in tonight's game!

Don't get me wrong, I still like going to the games and I get that there are kids and you need more than just baseball to keep people happy. But it would be nice if they did more for the true baseball fan, the ones that buy season tickets or show up for more than for dollar beer night...not that Tecate is beer, their name for it, not mime.

http://www.dorktown.net

Your probably right on all counts, but it was still fun to take my god-daughter to her first baseball game. She seemed to enjoy it too.