Despite being in the thick of the playoff race with just one month remaining in the season, the Bowie Baysox have announced they will not be putting playoff ticket strips on sale. For each of the past three seasons, the Baysox began selling playoff strips in early August only to see the team stumble and fall just short of the playoffs. This year, the front office is determined not to jinx the team’s efforts to make the playoffs and win the franchise’s first Eastern League Championship.
“The month of August has not been kind to the Baysox over the past several years so we are trying a different strategy this year,” said General Manager Brian Shallcross. “We want that championship and we are willing to succumb to superstitious tactics to reverse the fortunes that have followed us during this 20 year championship void.”
Last season, the Baysox were in first place as late as August 12 and were in position for a playoff birth until the final series of the season when they were passed by Richmond after losing eight out of their final 12 games. On the final day of the season, Richmond hit a home run in the top of the eighth inning to take a 2-1 lead over Altoona before the tarp was pulled on the field. Typically because the eighth inning was incomplete the game reverts back to the seventh inning, but in this instance, Major League Baseball Rule 4.12(b)(4)(i) applied and awarded Richmond the victory. If not for the obscure rule granting Richmond the victory, the Baysox would have leapfrogged the Flying Squirrels and made the playoffs.
The Baysox last playoff appearance came in 2008 when the team fell to the Akron Aeros in four games in the First Round thanks in part to a pair of home runs hit by Major League rehabber Travis Hafner, who was playing with the Aeros. In the team’s 19-year history they have made the playoffs four times, but have never won a playoff series and advanced to the Eastern League Championship.
In the past, the Baysox pre-sold playoff tickets that were available as a strip of six box seat tickets, covering every potential playoff game, allowing fans to get an early jump on supporting the Baysox should they make the playoffs. But this season, the Baysox are going to turn their bad luck around and wait until the last minute.
Baysox Baseball – We’ll Knock Your ‘Sox Off. The Baysox 20th season is winding down. Don’t miss your chance to celebrate this milestone with the team. Parking is free at every Baysox home game and tickets are available at www.baysox.com, or by calling the Baysox box office at (301) 464-4865.
