HOUSTON Ticket brokers outside Minute Maid Park were not happy Friday with sales from the Astros home opener.
It s a tough business and I know everyone is feeling the crunch, said Brian Buscemi of Pinnacle Tickets. They re very, very weak with the team not doing so well.
With only one win heading into the home opener, casual fans were a rare sight at Minute Maid Park for the game against the Florida Marlins.
The diehards, though, were still there.
I don t care if they don t win another this season, said Jonathan Gilbreath. I will be here to support my Astros. They re my team!
Nina Simmons brought her 4-year-old, daughter, Katherine to her first home opener.
I m really excited about the new players and they re gonna have to find their groove, said Simmons. They ll do well this year.
For fan Marc Campos, Friday marked his 21st consecutive home opener. He can t ignore the scarcity of fans, though.
It s funny you know, six years ago we were in the World Series, he said.
In an effort to fill the park, the Astros offered fans a free ticket to another game for buying one to the home opener. The team also has a deal of 10 tickets for $20 dollars at other select games.
Season ticket holder Kent Tedin isn t concerned about the freebies, but he s heard others complaining.
A lot people think I could have gone for nothing or half price but again, Tedin said. Do you want to spend the time or do you want to plan?
Meanwhile, Pinnacle Tickets will keep its spot across from Minute Maid Park. Buscemi just hopes the season gets better.
If all of a sudden we were to go to the playoffs or World Series, it would go the other way, he said.
