The A's 2011 Attendance Numbers Were Actually Up Versus 2010 (Photo Credit: Swingin' A's)

Despite losing more games in 2011, the Oakland Athletics posted better attendance numbers this year versus the 2010 season. Oakland did, however, rank last in the majors with an attendance of 1,476,792 for the 2011 season. That number is up, though, from 2010′s 1,418,391 home attendance total.

The A’s have been treading water for the past few seasons, with the organization falling deeper and deeper into irrelevancy. Fans of the green-and-gold haven’t had much to smile about these past few years and the low attendance numbers are a reflection of the growing frustration within the A’s fan-base.

General manager Billy Beane and the rest of his brain trust have been handcuffed recently by the team’s pressing stadium situation. The Athletics currently play in an outdated stadium that is far from appealing to big name free agents.

The A’s averaged 18,232 fans per home game this year, but most nights the crowds seemed much smaller. My high school attracted more fans in the bleachers than Oakland did on most nights.

Sometimes if the A’s were down or if the game was moving particularly slow, I would sit and count each and every person in the Coliseum. The attendance, in my mind, was that bad. Then again, why would anyone want to pay to see a team that struggles to remain relevant? … [visit site to read more]

A’s 2011 Attendance Numbers At A Glance - Swingin' A's - Swingin' A's - An Oakland Athletics Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

The A's are in serious need of a new stadium. (Photo Credit: www.probaseballforsanjose.com)

Nearly three years after Bud Selig appointed a special committee to oversee all of Oakland’s stadium options, the A’s still remain in limbo. The A’s remain prisoners in the confining cavern that is O.co Coliseum, and MLB isn’t doing much to help free the A’s.

General manager Billy Beane and the rest of the A’s front office are being held as captives of this on-going stadium issue, and as a result, cannot layout any long-term plans. Not being able to plan accordingly could do some serious damage to the A’s. For a team that missed the playoffs for a fifth-consecutive season this year, the A’s would like to turn things around sooner rather than later.

It is quite sad that, as a major league team, the A’s play in one of the most outdated stadiums in baseball. Heck, the A’s minor league affiliates, like the Sacramento River Cats, play on better fields than the A’s. Owner Lew Wolff has repeatedly state before in the past that the team is likely, if granted permission, to move out of Oakland. … [visit site to read more]

A’s Stadium Update: Not Much Has Changed - Swingin' A's - Swingin' A's - An Oakland Athletics Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Your Guess Is As Good As Mine: Bud Selig has yet to provide a clear answer to Oakland's stadium issues (Photo Credit: UPI/Kevin Dietsch)

With the season coming a close, the Oakland Athletics are still waiting around for Major League Baseball and Bud Selig’s evaluations regarding the team’s stadium options. Back in 2009, Selig appointed a “special” committee to evaluate the A’s stadium options, including options within the Athletics’ territory.

Even after two years of research, Selig’s committee hasn’t yet provided any answers for Oakland’s stadium problem.

Oakland’s owner, Lew Wolff, contends that all options in Oakland have been exhausted and wishes to relocate the club in San Jose. Wolff’s wishes, however, may not come to fruition, as the San Francisco Giants have the territorial rights to San Jose.

Nevertheless, the A’s ownership and front office remain cautiously optimistic, and even GM/VP Billy Beane remains confident that a decision regarding the A’s possible move to San Jose will be made sooner or later.

Until a decision is made, however, the A’s are likely going to be very conservative about their spending this offseason. The A’s can’t survive for much longer, however, if they continue to operate season to season without a clear future. Beane has noted before in the past that Oakland has not been able to do much long-term planning as a result of the unclear stadium situation.  … [visit site to read more]

Bud Selig Continues To Play Guessing Game With A’s - Swingin' A's - Swingin' A's - An Oakland Athletics Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More