Fresno Grizzlies using Facebook & Twitter | ABC30 Fresno

kfsn

By ABC30

Monday, June 22, 2009

Fresno, CA Joe Devany from Clovis said, "Came out here for father's day. Nice day outside and came out to watch a ballgame."

Despite the beautiful weather, there were still plenty of empty seats Sunday. Overall attendance this year is down 9% compared to last season, and the regulars say they can tell.

Lynn O'Rourke, from Clovis said, "Opening night was packed. We were here for that and that was great. There were a lot of fans here. But since that time it's dwindled a bit."

The Grizzlies V.P. of Marketing, Scott Carter said the number of season ticket holders is down, but walk up ticket sales are up. And he thinks the team's use of social networking sites like "Twitter" and "Facebook" has something to do with it.

Scott Carter, Grizzlies V.P. of Marketing said, "I think a lot of it has to do with our ability to get people excited the day of the game. And certainly with twitter and facebook, we get in the morning and say, here's what's going on tonight."

The team has about a thousand twitter followers, and just got it's 2,000th facebook friend this week.

Both are used to let people know of daily promotions and keep fans updated on the action during games... And as an added plus, the sites also allow instant testimonials from fans, like when those in attendance post status updates letting their friends how much fun they're having at the game.

James O'Rourke just found out he and T.J. are the official father's day spokesmen for the Fresno Grizzlies.

James O'Rourke posted that facebook update, after learning a picture taken of him and his son last father's day was used on this year's program...

James O'Rourke from Clovis said, "Our friends up front said, isn't that you? And we were no that's not us. They said, no that's you, they recognized him before they recognized me. He was a little balder then, but yeah."

Grizzlies' management has also given away tickets through contests on facebook and twitter. And in the future, they're hoping to get players involved as well, so fans can see what they're thinking during the games.