Entering the team's 14th season in Dayton, the Dragons baseball franchise has been nothing but a major success; the team has the longest sellout streak in professional sports, as of today 955 and counting.
Dayton Dragons Shine in Gem City
Entering the team's 14th season in Dayton, the Dragons baseball franchise has been nothing but a major success; the team has the longest sellout streak in professional sports, as of today 955 and counting.
That doesn't begin to tell the story of what Dayton, and most certainly the fans mean to minor league baseball as a whole.
Yes, Dayton is important to minor league baseball. Ask Joey Votto, the Reds first baseman and 2010 NL MVP who played for the Dragons in 2009, and played for the team last season briefly on a rehab assignment. Votto said:
"Fifth Third Field in Dayton, Ohio is one of the most special places for baseball in all the minor leagues, and maybe even all of professional baseball. I enjoyed it here back in 2009. I come back here today and I've received nothing but support and appreciation. Dayton has a fantastic fan base."
The Dragon's added a new display with Votto's comments this year along with a plaque commemorating the results of a 2012 Minor League Baseball poll. The poll asked minor league players across the country, "What's your favorite city to visit on a road trip?" Dayton was the number one response. More minor league players want to visit Dayton, Ohio over any other minor league city, that's including many with beaches and larger skylines.
The players really enjoy their time in Dayton, but what do the Dragons and their efforts in the city really mean to baseball? I asked Minor League Baseball President Pat O'Conner.
"Minor League Baseball clubs strive to be integral members of their community and the Dayton Dragons are a great example of what can occur when a club and its city work together to increase the quality of life of its residents. Thanks to their philosophies, business models and attention to customer service, the Dragons are among the best drawing clubs in our game and they have annually led all Class A clubs in attendance since their beginning. Their consecutive sellout streak and winning of the John H. Johnson President's Award, Minor League Baseball's top honor, last year, further validates their standing as one of our model franchises."
The city of Dayton and the Dragons fans are important to the game of baseball; Minor League Baseball players and and the league's office agree. The Dayton Dragons are also important to the future and revitalization of downtown. The Downtown Dayton Partnership has expressed how critical connecting Fifth Third Field (and nearby Riverscape) to the Oregon District is for the progress of downtown. The ballpark is an integral facet of downtown and will continue to be as housing becomes more available and downtown continues to grow.
Now that summer is here, you may be looking to get out of the house for some quality family entertainment; don't forget about the Dayton Dragons and a baseball experience that very few ballparks can even compare to.
