by David Chapman
Staff Writer
September marked the last time the Jacksonville Suns players hit the field in 2008, but with the Southern League season come and gone, it’s time for team staff to begin preparations for next year in an offseason full of work and changes.
“It’s a year of change, that’s for sure” said Peter Bragan Jr., Suns owner and general manager.
The most noticeable change next year will be the players on the field and their uniforms as the Suns have changed affiliates. Gone are the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Suns’ affiliate from 2001–08, replaced by the Florida Marlins, formerly the developmental team of the Carolina Mudcats.
“I have a ton of respect for the Dodgers organization,” said Bragan. “They moved their operations out west and we’re extremely happy to have the Florida Marlins on board for next year.”
In order to focus on success next year, though, Bragan and his staff first look to last year to find out where they did succeed.
Attendance figures were slightly down over the team’s past record-breaking seasons, but last season’s number, eclipsing 300,000 again, was still good enough to lead the Southern League.
“In terms of attendance we’re real close to what we had in 2007,” said Bragan. “We held our own.”
One of the problems he attributes to the slightly lower numbers is the weather.
“We had rain affect more game times this year than any year I can remember,” he said. “It’s just one of the things we have no real control over.”
The team increased ticket sales to individuals but group and company tickets as well as sponsorships dipped slightly – something Bragan and staff will try to increase heading into next season.
He believes the dip in group and company sales and sponsorships was the result of the overall weak economy that affected spending by area businesses.
Even with the business aspect of the team slightly down for the 2008 season, he doesn’t expect to compensate by increasing admission prices for 2009.
“We’re probably not going to raise ticket prices,” he said. “They’re cheap, affordable and still a great deal for Suns fans.”
For staff, December is considered one of the slower months. It’s a time to recharge and tie up loose ends while reflecting on what went right and what went wrong during the past season as well begin formulating ideas for next year.
This month, Bragan Jr. will be taking the front office staff to Vilano Beach as part of a team building, idea exchanging getaway.
“It’s a way to thank the staff for doing a great job during the year,” said Bragan. “While we’re there we huddle up and talk about things for next year. It’s like an idea-fest.”
The idea-fest looks at potential promotional nights, souvenir giveaways – “bobbleheads and the photo balls are always popular,” said Bragan – and other forms of entertainment in addition to baseball to bring the fans through the gates.
November means selling the Suns brand further, as group sales and sponsorships are available for the new team that will be hitting the field in less than six months.
After holiday breaks, January means the “offseason” is heading into crunch time, as pitchers and catchers report to the big leagues in the following month.
Regardless of who the players are on the field, which bobbleheads are given away at the gates, the post-game concert and fireworks lineup or the planned mascot shenanigans, Bragan said he hopes to see more fans coming through the turnstiles and more members of the corporate community jumping on board the team’s bandwagon.
In the meantime, it’s back to work.
“Seventy games next year, we’ll be here,” said Bragan. “But we’ve got a little work to do before then.”
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