Drillers Set Attendance Record, Announce Front Office Changes

The first season of Tulsa Drillers baseball at ONEOK Field proved to be a success at the turnstiles. Paid attendance for Drillers games during the first season at the new downtown ballpark totaled 408,183, setting the all-time season attendance mark for professional baseball in the city of Tulsa which dates back to 1905.

The attendance total also compared favorably to other minor league markets across the country. Tulsa's total was the 4th highest among all 30 Double A teams.

The team's average attendance of 6,185 per opening was the 25th highest average among all 176 teams in Minor League Baseball.

Overall, Minor League Baseball remained an attractive form of affordable family entertainment this summer. Attendance for all 176 clubs totaled 41,432,456.

"Once again, Minor League Baseball is showing its resiliency in the current economic conditions," Minor League Baseball President Pat O'Conner said. "While the economy sputters in many areas of the country, our fans continue to respond to our product."

The Drillers are scheduled to open the 2011 regular season at ONEOK Field on Thursday, April 7. Season tickets for the second season are currently on sale through the team's offices at the stadium.

CLUB ANNOUNCES FRONT OFFICE CHANGES

The Drillers have also announced several changes to their front office staff. The changes are:

Mark Hilliard has been named Director of Operations
Brandon Shiers has been named Director of Ticket Operations
Rob Gardenhire has been named Director of Marketing and Business Development
David Ruckman has been named Manager of Video Production
Geoff Beaty has been named Manager of Group Sales
Matt Larson has been named Assistant Manager of Group Sales
Kevin Butcher has been named Assistant Manager of Business Development
Justin Gorski has been named Assistant Manager of Promotions
Tom Jones has been named Director of Merchandising
Jenna Higgins has been named Assistant Bookkeeper