This Year's Team: I know, everyone is bummed that the Chiefs of this year aren't the team of last year. News Flash: Welcome to Minor League Sports! Last year, the Chiefs were fortunate to have a great group of prospects that propelled the team to the top of the International League. This year, they have great players, they just haven't been able to get on a roll and crank out a ton of wins. This happens in the minor leagues all the time. It's what the minors are for. The Chiefs are a team that prepares players for their entrance into the MLB. Just like the Crunch get players ready for the NHL. This situation is just like the Crunch from a couple years ago. We saw a great group of guys take the team to the finals and then experienced a drop off the season after. Do I think Washington should be a little more concerned about the group of prospects in the wings not getting wins? Sure, but as long as they are winning in the MLB, they are okay with the minor league affiliates struggling. At the end of the day, they just want players that are ready to be called up at any moment. That's exactly what the Chiefs are doing. It is also worth noting that none of the Nat's affiliates (exception the of Doubledays who just started playing) have winnign records either, so it's not just the Chiefs.
The Stadium: Why is it no one complained when MacArthur towered over the North Side? If I'm not mistaken, NBT Bank Stadium is right where Old Mac once stood. Today, everyone complains it's not in Downtown with the Dome and the War Memorial. Excuses of distance and parking prices run wild. But has anyone thought about what it would be like if the stadium was downtown? I have, and it's not pretty. Yes, the northside isn't the prettiest area, but at least there is room to park and a place to have a ballpark. Someone answer me where exactly would you build a ballpark downtown? How many buildings would have to be torn down or lots demolished to make the room? Even then, how would parking work? Right now, you pay ridiculous prices to park for the Dome and you pay a hefty fee to park for the Crunch games. And don't say there's tons of free parking in the streets. Any Syracuse resident knows you cannot park in the city on a slow day. You pay $5 now to park and it goes to the team, it's the same or even less you'd pay to a random parking lot owner with no affiliation of with team or the city. Plus, who would end up paying for a new stadium? Maybe part would come from the team, but the rest would have to come from the county and the city aka you the taxpayers. What would you rather have as a tax payer: a new ballpark or freshly paved streets without car eating potholes and breaking water mains? That should not be a hard question to answer.
Prices: Okay, let's think back to a couple years ago to when the Simones still had control of the Chiefs. Prices were terrible for everything and the games all around suffered. Now, flash forward to the Smorol era. Even though he has only been in charge for just under two years, Smorol has done wonders for this franchise. Going to see the Chiefs is dead cheap in Syracuse standards. Just think how much it costs to see the Orange football and basketball teams play. Even the Crunch cost quite a pretty penny to just see a game. The only other afford team to see in Syracuse is the Silver Knights (who are no strangers to the Chiefs organization I might add.) For around $10, you can watch the MLB stars of tomorrow in person live at the ballpark. I also might note Smorol raised ticket prices slightly in order to better improve the ballpark, which is a smart move that will pay off. Food is expensive because costs of meats and produce have risen along with wages to pay workers at the stadium. Remember, fast food workers are demanding a pay raise to $15. How much do you think it costs to pay the guys cooking your food and popping open those cold refreshments you enjoy? Exactly. Overall, I see no problems with the prices the Chiefs charge. Like I questioned earlier, why do the people who eagerly complain about Chiefs prices all of a sudden have nothing to say about the higher prices found on the hill?
Overall, I find the complaints about this year's Chiefs petty and exaggerated. So their record is terrible, get over it. It's not like we haven't seen it before. Or would everyone like to go back to the Simone era from 1997-2013? I am thankful to have a Triple A baseball team to root for in my hometown every summer. For all the complainers, I think you should feel the same. Don't think Albany or Utica wouldn't cherish the opportunity to have the Chiefs for themselves. I personally think Comets fans would love to have a team to root for in the summer. Seeing the success of the Comets, Utica would probably fill every seat in their ballpark no problem. If you want change in the team and want to do some good, then I suggest you get yourself down to the ballpark and root on the Chiefs.
Thanks/Credits:
http://www.syracuse.com/poliquin/index.ssf/2015/06/syracuse_chiefs_are_at_the_bottom_of_the_heap_in_both_wins_in_the_standings_and.html#incart_river
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/12/onondaga_county_legislature_oks_chiefs_1_million_plan_to_fix_up_nbt_bank_stadium.html
syracusechiefs.com