Editor's note: This is the first in a five-part series on summer sporting events and activities across the state.
The concession lines almost snake back to the lines at the entrance gates. Even the most generous of estimates puts the number of people in line for a hotdog ahead of those in Cooper Stadium's seats.
This is not an average night at the ballpark.
One of three special promotions nights, the Columbus Clippers' "Dime-a-dog" nights are just some of the many summertime attractions in central Ohio. Along with minor-league baseball, Columbus has the country's only soccer-exclusive facility in Crew Stadium. The city is also home to an international sports festival and a LPGA event. But the Clippers and "Dime-a-dog night" are Columbus' tried-and-true sporting event.
Introduced in the mid 1980s, "Dime-a-dog" night has been the Clippers' most widely known promotion. On average, "Dime-a-dog" nights draw 7,000-10,000 fans to Clippers games, director of promotions Jason Kidik said.
The Clippers, AAA affiliate for the New York Yankees, was named the "Minor League Organization of the Past 25 Years" by Baseball America in 2001. Even with the arrival of the Blue Jackets, the burgeoning popularity of the Columbus Crew, and Columbus' strong golf background, the Clippers do not see these other sporting events as direct competition, Kidik said.
"It is competitive, but it doesn't relate directly to the Crew, the Jackets or the Muirfield Village golf tournaments," he said. "It really depends on what else is going on that part day at that part time. Our competition could be a movie or a concert that night."
Despite lacking the Clippers' storied history, the Columbus Crew continues to capitalize on the growing popularity of soccer in the United States. Located just off Interstate 71, Crew Stadium is the country's lone soccer-specific facility. Since 1996, the Crew's inaugural season, the team has posted an 88-87-11 record. Despite its nearly even record, the team draws an average of 16,000 people per game, Director of Public Relations Jeff Wuerth said.
"There's a lot of things to do in Columbus that are fighting for people's entertainment dollars," Wuerth said. "I think we've done a good job of reaching those people. We're really entrenched here in the community."
That solid support led the Crew to submit a bid to host 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup games beginning in late September. The tournament was moved to the U.S. May 26 because of the outbreak of SARS in China, its original site. The nationwide tournament will be held as close to the original dates - Sept. 23 to Oct. 11 - as possible.
Bringing an even more international sports flavor to Columbus is the Wendy's International Sports Festival. Held from July 24-27, the city-wide bicycling event is considered one of the best stops in the country. Last year's field included representatives from 15 countries. Races are held throughout the suburbs of Powell, Worthington and Grand View Heights.
Long known as a golf city, Columbus plays host to the return of the Wendy's Championship for Children Aug. 4-10 at Tartan Fields. The annual LPGA event has brought veterans like Juli Inkster, Betsy King and Rosie Jones along with up-and-coming golfer Michelle Wie. At 13 years old, Wie qualified for last year's tournament and missed the cut by two strokes. This year's purse tops out at $1.1 million, its highest in recent years.
Summertime Sports
The Columbus Clippers
"Dime-a-dog" nights: June 2, August 25
Tickets: $5-$9 for adults
For information call: 614-462-5250
The Columbus Crew
Tickets: $11-$31 for adults
For information call: 614-447-2739
2003 FIFA Women's World Cup
Tickets: TBA
Wendy's International Sports Festival
Admission: Free
For information call: 614-529-4268
Wendy's Championship for Children at Tartan Fields
Tickets: $20 single-day; $35 weekly admission; $7 parking;
For information call: 614-764-4653
17 Archives
Joe Arnold
