Story and photos by Nicole Jones
SYRACUSE, NY -- Despite the Syracuse Chiefs baseball team's current record,
Chiefs general manager Jason Smorol has high spirits and is full of energy.
After being called to take the job three years ago, Smorol says he decided he was going
to make the games about the fan experience rather than the actual game itself.“I’m not here to sell tickets, I’m here to sell an experience,” said Smorol.
Customer Service
Yes, baseball is America’s "national pastime" but baseball
isn't the only enjoyment during the games, especially now with the
rise of social media. The event-planning schedule that Smorol and his team created for the Chiefs baseball season is something that will distract anyone from his or her phone and if not it will be something that people post and share.
“It’s about entertainment and the excitement on customer service,” Smorol said at NBT Bank Stadium where the Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bisons 6-1, Wednesday night, bringing their record to 50-61. “If someone wants to move a seat then let them move a seat.”
Smorol’s laid-back style as a GM yet strategic thinking seem to be the perfect ingredients for success for Chiefs baseball. Most promotional days have nothing to do with the game of baseball itself. Sometimes people become numb to things they do on a daily basis but the way an experience may make a person feel is unforgettable.
“It’s about entertainment and the excitement on customer service,” Smorol said at NBT Bank Stadium where the Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bisons 6-1, Wednesday night, bringing their record to 50-61. “If someone wants to move a seat then let them move a seat.”
Smorol’s laid-back style as a GM yet strategic thinking seem to be the perfect ingredients for success for Chiefs baseball. Most promotional days have nothing to do with the game of baseball itself. Sometimes people become numb to things they do on a daily basis but the way an experience may make a person feel is unforgettable.
Event Planning
The list of weekly event goes on and on but to name a few
the Chiefs have Dollar Thursdays, Star Wars Night, Family Night, Bark in the Park
including frequent giveaways and fireworks.
On Dollar Thursdays hot dogs and cokes are sold for $1, Country Night and Star Wars Night allows people to dress accordingly without being judged. Things like lightsabers are part of the giveaway package. Family Night allows kids to run the bases for only $2 and fans pay $5 for Bark in the Park which allows your family dog to do the same.
These are all unrelated to baseball but why would Smorol invite a bunch of dogs to a baseball game to potentially ruin the field? Since the Chiefs play almost every day, Smorol says it’s their way of either giving back to the community or contributing proceeds to local charities. Or in this case, dog shelters and rescue centers.
On Dollar Thursdays hot dogs and cokes are sold for $1, Country Night and Star Wars Night allows people to dress accordingly without being judged. Things like lightsabers are part of the giveaway package. Family Night allows kids to run the bases for only $2 and fans pay $5 for Bark in the Park which allows your family dog to do the same.
These are all unrelated to baseball but why would Smorol invite a bunch of dogs to a baseball game to potentially ruin the field? Since the Chiefs play almost every day, Smorol says it’s their way of either giving back to the community or contributing proceeds to local charities. Or in this case, dog shelters and rescue centers.
Value of Games
Although there has been a lot of talk about relocating the Chiefs to another city, Smorol appears to not have a care in the world.
“It’s about the experience, controlling what you can control,” Smorol said.
The Chiefs used to give away 30,000 free tickets every year, the games had no value but Smorol set out a goal to change that.
“Having fun and making this more affordable is the goal,” Smorol said. This season's games are being sold at a low price of $12 for the premium field box seats. This is cheaper than most Triple-A teams. No matter the price, the Chiefs should be in town for at least another ten years after being granted a lease extension until 2026 in a new deal with Onondaga County this past week.
“It’s about the experience, controlling what you can control,” Smorol said.
The Chiefs used to give away 30,000 free tickets every year, the games had no value but Smorol set out a goal to change that.
“Having fun and making this more affordable is the goal,” Smorol said. This season's games are being sold at a low price of $12 for the premium field box seats. This is cheaper than most Triple-A teams. No matter the price, the Chiefs should be in town for at least another ten years after being granted a lease extension until 2026 in a new deal with Onondaga County this past week.
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