RiverDogs Set New Single-Season Attendance Mark

CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Charleston RiverDogs welcomed 4,485 fans to Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park Tuesday night and established a new single-season franchise record for attendance. 

The new attendance mark has been raised to 287,647 with one more opening remaining in the season. The previous record of 284,718 fans, set back in the 2007 season, was surpassed just minutes after gates opened prior to Tuesday's game.

"We have always had the best fans in Minor League Baseball," noted General Manager Dave Echols. "This year, more than ever, that has been on display. We're so thrilled and thankful to our fan base for another tremendous year at The Joe. We're looking forward to surpassing 300,000 fans in 2016."

Tuesday's festivities included a used car giveaway. The car was a 1998 Honda Civic that, of course, had over 285,000 miles on it. The vehicle went to Kyle Busbee of Spartanburg, South Carolina. It was fitting that Busbee won the car because Tuesday night was Citadel Cadet Night at The Joe and he is a cadet in the Sierra Company at The Citadel. 

"I actually wrecked my car this past summer," said Busbee during an on-air interview with RiverDogs radio broadcaster Dan Acheson. "I had put my name into a bunch of car raffles and finally won one! It's just what I needed to go visit my family and friends with in Spartanburg, I couldn't be more excited." 

Wednesday's home-season finale gives Charleston and its fan base a great opportunity to set the bar high for 2016. Another strong opening would put the RiverDogs over 290,000 fans on the season, giving them a high-water mark of 300,000 fans to aim for in 2016.

Charleston has saved the best for last, as the final home game of the season on Wednesday includes a special "Thirsty Wednesday" with $1 beers in the Ashley View Pub presented by Budweiser. The RiverDogs will also be honoring the best fans in the South Atlantic League throughout the game on Fan Appreciation Night, and parking will be FREE for everyone. This huge celebration is sure to be a BLAST with our last postgame fireworks show over the scenic Ashley River.

The RiverDogs' home jerseys will also be auctioned off during the game, with proceeds benefiting Chris Singleton's foundation. In addition to Fan Appreciation Night, it will also be Employee Appreciation Night as two lucky gameday employees will be selected to win a $500 grand prize for their excellent work throughout the season. As we take the game's final home contest to appreciate our fans, we will also appreciate our hearts as MUSC Health presents Heart Appreciation Night. Get free blood pressure screenings on the concourse and learn about what you can do to treat your heart correctly as we head into the offseason. 

It also marks the final HealthSouth Senior Wednesday of the season, presented by MeTV. Seniors who enter the park before 6:30 p.m. receive a food voucher for a complimentary hot dog, 16-ounce fountain drink and bag of chips. It is also Hump Day presented by Magic 107.3. 

Full-season attendance totals since Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park opened in 1997:

2014 - 280,075

2013 - 283,274

2012 - 254,002

2011 - 265,465

2010 - 269,023

2009 - 268,985

2008 - 279,606

2007 - 284,718 (PREVIOUS RECORD)

2006 - 267,908

2005 - 249,374

2004 - 255,790

2003 - 259,007

2002 - 242,143

2001 - 236,175

2000 - 240,069

1999 - 238,184

1998 - 234,840

1997 - 231,006

18-Season Total: 4,639,644

Tickets still remain for Wednesday's home season finale - get them before we sell out and come be a part of history! For more information on tickets for each and every one of the 70 home games during the 2016 season, visit www.riverdogs.com or call 843/577-DOGS (3647). 

-RIVERDOGS-