Join Sabrina Ponte at Fenway for Massachusetts Night Tonight!

Baseball teams have been trying a lot of different ideas for drawing fans to the ballpark. Naturally, some are good and some are bad.

Some are short term fixes, and some are long term solutions.

One of the more popular short term ideas is giveaways. If you come to the game, you’ll get something free. Or, if you come to the game early, you get something free (like a Benintendi bobblehead, perhaps).While those certainly get people to that specific game it’s never clear whether you’re drawing fans to increase your fan base, or drawing people who collect garden gnomes with no intention of ever buying another ticket.

The other popular idea is to increase in-game entertainment. The minor leagues are pro’s at this, with a different activity happening between almost every inning. Whether it’s mascot races, or trivia contests, there’s always something to do. The major leagues have adopted some of these, like pierogi races in Pittsburgh, or even Sweet Caroline in Fenway. While I doubt anyone is buying a ticket just to come to the park to sing a song in the eighth inning, it adds to the overall enjoyment of the experience. Without even really putting their finger on it, fans leave the game in a better mood, and will be more likely to remember that when they consider buying another ticket. I generally like these types of activities, as long as they don’t take away the focus from the game. (I hate “kid areas” where you’re encouraged to stop watching the game and go someplace else with your kids.)

One idea that Fenway has embraced is theme nights. Sometimes they’re a big sponsored event, like Star Wars Night. Sometimes these are barely announced, like the nights celebrating New England states. In those cases, they might play specific music, or show specific graphics on the scoreboard. Not enough to alter the game, but enough to make you feel a little better, even if the specifics don’t jump out at you.

To that end, tonight the Red Sox are hosting Massachusetts Night! I would expect there to be mascots from different Massachusetts teams there to hang around with Wally and Tessie. Maybe the song selections will have a Massachusetts slants. Of course, the biggest draw is always the appearance of Massachusetts local Miss America titleholders. 

Tonight you’ll have the chance to be in the same building as former visitor Sabrina Ponte as she proudly wears the Miss Cranberry Country crown and sash. It will be sure to make an already fantastic night even better. Be sure to get in your seats early so you can see her introduced on the field.

And, should you bump into her, tell her how much you enjoyed her interview with Section 36.

You should also politely ask if you can take a picture with her…with Section 36 in the background, of course!