The Orioles have a critical and final homestand starting Sept. 15, and I am fearful that the community and the front office is not doing their part to support the team. I get it — attending professional sporting events is expensive and time consuming, but these last 11 home games will likely determine if the Orioles make the playoffs this year ("Orioles upcoming 11-game homestand holds key to reaching postseason," Sept. 14).
On Tuesday, the Red Sox drew 38,041 at Fenway Park for their game against the Orioles, but as of Wednesday morning the O's still had 24,130 seats to sell for next Tuesday's game at Camden Yards between the same two teams. Next week's four-game series against Boston is going to be huge and will probably represent Baltimore's best chance at winning a 10th division title and only the team's third in the last 33 seasons.
I realize the fans shoulder some of the blame, but what are the Orioles doing about it? Where is the marketing push? Where are the 2-for-1 ticket offers? Why are we not seeing the Oriole Bird and an O's marketing employee on every local morning news show begging fans to come out to support the team? Why are they not planning a rally at the Inner Harbor to kick off the big home stand which, of course, the media would cover for free? It just seems like the front office is content to see a half-full stadium next week and essentially lose home field advantage.
Let's go, Orioles organization. Get your act together, roll up your sleeves and get to work selling tickets.
Ken Rohrer, Catonsville