The Miami Marlins posted abysmal attendance numbers last week, averaging 6,556 fans in a three-game series with the New York Mets.
It was their lowest reported totals since 2006.
However, reported attendance numbers by the Marlins have been suspect for years. Many games had a noticeably lower number of fans in the stands than the official attendance reported.
Having a more accurate count is something the new ownership group, led by CEO Derek Jeter, seeks.
"One of the qualities of running a first-class organization is honesty, and ... we're going to be transparent and we're going to be honest about it," Jeter said. "And reporting paid attendance as the number of tickets sold is the way we're going to report it. Our focus will continue to be increasing the turnstile numbers here at Marlins Park."
Jeter, who will not be return to Yankee Stadium this week when the Marlins face the New York Yankees, is not happy with the low attendance numbers.
"We're going to report tickets sold as our paid attendance," Jeter said. "I don't want to get into what was done in the past, but that's how we're going to do it here. We're not happy with it. We have to grow those numbers, but I think reporting it that way gives us an opportunity to show some growth over time."
The Marlins are last in the majors in attendance at 12,641 a game.
"Our No. 1 focus is how we can win more games in this park, and winning more games is a part of it," Jeter said. "We have to win some more games. I've heard people say, 'Miami is a tough sports town.' I think that's every sports town. If you put a winning product on the field, then people will come. We have some exciting young players."
Bird flew
Kelly Kraft got a birdie, just not the one he wanted at the RBC Heritage.
Kraft's ball hit a bird in flight on the par-3 14th hole, and the ball dropped into the water in front of the green. He made double bogey and finished at 1-over par on Harbour Town Golf Links, missing the cut by a stroke.
Kraft told PGATour.com the bad break cost him the cut. He said his tee shot felt perfect and was on a good line until fate took over.
Kraft's group asked for a ruling, figuring the player would simply re-tee without penalty. Instead, because the bird is not a man-made object, Kraft had to play it as a ball in the water.
Kraft said his ball glanced off a large black bird, which flew off after getting hit.
Social networking
From Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com:
"Last time the Timberwolves were in the NBA playoffs, fans couldn't even take to social media to celebrate. (Facebook just started Feb 2004, opened to non-students in 2006. Twitter started in 2006)."
Minnesota's previous trip to the playoffs came during the 2003-2004 season.
Sports quiz
What team eliminated the Minnesota Timberwolves from the 2003-2004 postseason.
Sports answer
The Los Angeles Lakers won the Western Conference Finals, 4-2.
Sports on 04/15/2018