SCRUFFY’S THIS N’ THAT
Welcome to Friday and the usual thoughts running through my muddled mind. As always, they come in no particular order:
— The Edmonton Eskimos appear to get it. As mentioned in Monday’s column, like it or not attendance has been a major problem through the first few weeks of the CFL season. It was even evident here seeing all the empty seats during Saturday night’s game against the Riders’ biggest rival.
The Eskimos are attempting to make football more accessible by introducing two new ticket options for general admission and kids under 17.
They have introduced the Empire North Pass — a $22 general admission pass that will allow fans to stand in the area behind the north end zone, under the scoreboard on the benches that were previously covered by sponsorship banners.
The Eskimos are lowering ticket prices to get fans into the stadium. This isn’t the first ticket promotion aimed at getting people in, but Edmonton realizes their attendance is down for whatever reason and they are doing something about it. Will other teams follow suit? The Argos did something as well that includes a free ticket to the CNE. They should maybe try getting a Raptors or Leafs ticket as well as an Argos one.
— The Riders-Stampeders game was TSN’s highest-rated this year at 722,000. People across the country were ready for the two Western rivals to go at it. It just begs the question as to why there were so many empty seats at Mosaic for the game? You can’t tell me there wasn’t interest.
— As you know it is a bye week in Rider Nation. A 1-3 start has the fan-base angered. Surprise, surprise! A win over Calgary or a somewhat decent performance would have had people feeling better about the football team, but the good feelings fans had leaving Mosaic on Canada Day after the one-sided win over Toronto were eliminated with the one-sided loss to Calgary. Some saying the only reason they beat the Argos is because they are the worst team in the league. Is this team better than its 1-3 record? Yes they are. Do they deserve the record they have? Yes they do! It will be interesting to see what changes if any this team makes when they get back to work. Some are needed. We also need to know what role Zach Collaros will be in. That decision would have been a lot tougher had Cody Fajardo played well against the Stamps. For what it’s worth, I think Collaros if given the green light to go starts against BC on the 20th, but I also think the job should still be Fajardo’s. Would it be Zach’s last chance? You can answer that for yourself.
— I thought the CFL had a limit on coaching staffs. We were told teams could have no more than 11 coaches on staff. This just in—the Alouettes have 12 with the naming of Luc Brodeur-Jourdain as an assistant this week. What gives? Do the Alouettes get a break because they are owned by the CFL? The coaches salary cap is a joke, but when it is not enforced by the league it becomes a bigger one.
— Much was made over the fact the CFL didn’t play a game one night after the MLB All-Star game because they would have had the stage all to themselves. Why not? If BC Place was available, the Eskimos and Lions could have played on a Wednesday night instead of Thursday. Do these things even get discussed around the table?
— The BC Lions are a bad football team! How much longer till pouty Duron Carter shows up there. I think we already started to see signs of it in the second half last night.
— Manny Viveiros is back in the WHL as the man who took the Swift Current Broncos to a league title in 2018 is now the head coach in Spokane. I have to think his time with the Chiefs will be short as Viveiros deserves another NHL shot after what turned out to be just one year in Edmonton.
— One has to think Vladimir Guerrero would have won the home-run derby Monday night in Cleveland if he didn’t have to go through two “overtimes” before advancing to the final. To say he was mashing the ball around Progressive Field would be an understatement. That was quite the show the Blue Jays 3rd baseman put on. Toronto baseball fans are hoping it’s a glimpse into the future. While the game on Tuesday was entertaining, the derby was the bigger show. I think more baseball fans are excited for that event than they are for the game.
— Great question from Rod Pedersen. If the economy’s that hard-up on the prairies, and fans can’t afford CFL tickets, why do the Rush, Roughnecks, Jets, Oilers and Flames sellout all the time? It’s a valid statement.
— How much longer until the Canada West football season starts? How much longer until Canada West basketball starts?
— There are many teams that I just don’t like. The US National Womens Soccer Team is right up there. No conceit among that group. None whatsoever!
— Regina really needs a miniature golf course or two.
— Have fun if you’re going to Country Thunder.
Have a great weekend!
(Follow Mitchell on Twitter at @scruffyregina)
I am continually surprised that Rod, Scruffy and others that are so tied to the CFL can’t see what is going on with CFL attendance. Other leagues in the prairies continue to draw good crowds/sellouts because the perceived quality and entertainment value of the other products/leagues is higher than the CFL. The quality of the CFL game has been deteriorating for years, look at this year where most of the games have been blowouts or are sloppily played affairs. The ridiculous amount of player turnover every year makes it almost impossible to identify with a team. In Regina specifically, the… Read more »
Completely agree about the US womens soccer team.. theres nothing to like about them, a bunch of egotistical, classless, blowhards.. and the fact that they won the Best Team of the Year at this years ESPYs was a god damn joke..
I hear lots of discussions about Rider attendance but little analysis. Only almost suggesting folks ‘should’ attend. What percentage of season ticket holders travel 2-5 hours to games? What is average attendance at 2PM games vs 8PM. Or 5PM as the sun goes down in cold fall games. Or 7PM on a workday. Etc.
Regarding the ticket prices, I’ve heard the other thing the Eskimos are doing is lowering the concession prices, which I think is really smart. Here in Riderville you still have lots of people buying concessions, but I think the vendors would make more money overall if they lowered their prices, which I think would increase the volume of sales. There has been lots of comments on here about rider fans and their complaining about water and concession prices, many made by those sitting in the press box. In my view those guys shouldn’t get a vote. They sit in their… Read more »
Exactly, I bought tickets in 300 level today and if it’s the riders I spend my money on then I’ll bite the bullet on the prices for my and families enjoyment…Go Riders !!!!
You made the comment: Why were there so many empty seats at the Roughrider game? I have followed the Roughriders for many years. Yet I have probably gone to 2 or 3 games in my lifetime. I remember talking to someone about about going to a game. They said, “People yell obscenities and dump beer on you” And when I went once, that was about how it was. The atmosphere is just not very good for those who are family people. And you pay a lot of money to hear obscenities and try to avoid beer being dumped everywhere. Attendance… Read more »
Hi John,
Mosaic Stadium has plenty of family friendly sections. Mrs. McCockiner, myself and the kids have never had an issue.
Going to 2 or 3 games in your lifetime and claiming you have to avoid beer being dumped on you is asinine. Sounds to me like you’re coming up with excuses for not wanting to shell out a few bucks and support the team. It’s not fair to paint the fan base as obscenity screaming drunks. You sound like an old man complaining from his soap box.
BM
I have been a season ticket for years and have not had any problems with obscenities or being dumped on with beer. I have sat in a number of sections. Many by me bring their kids and find it a family environment to be sure, free bus service helps a lot too, as you’re dropped off right at the door, much less walking for little ones. Your experience is not at all my experience.