Stogie Exclusive: Nats Rebuff Cigar Night Proposal

On June 8, Patrick and I sent a proposal to Carleen Martin, director of marketing and promotions for the Washington Nationals, outlining a plan to designate a number of seats in the upper level of RFK Stadium for an upcoming home game as “cigar friendly”. Specifically, we propositioned the Nats to sell premium-priced tickets for an established cigar section where patrons would be able to enjoy stogies while watching a live baseball game.

Ms. Martin informed us yesterday that while the proposal – which can be read in its entirety by clicking here – may be reconsidered next year, the Nationals are going to take a pass on a StogieGuys.com Cigar Night this season.

Rebuffing a sure-fire, win-win marketing strategy like our proposed cigar event provides some insight into why Ms. Martin’s department is having such a hard time getting butts in RFK seats since the franchise moved from Montreal. According to ESPN, this year the Nats rank a lowly 17th in home attendance, despite playing in one of the biggest facilities – and one of the largest markets – in the majors. And just take a look at all the empty seats in the picture above, which was snapped by yours truly at a Saturday night game this year (perfect weather, plus it was free hat night).

The fact is, our unique and creative marketing technique would undoubtedly (1) boost attendance in the sparsely-populated upper-level of RFK, (2) increase revenue for the team via higher-priced tickets that otherwise would not be purchased, and (3) improve Nationals fans’ experience at the ballpark.

As our proposal outlines, there is an indisputable demand for cigar friendly sections at major league ballparks. The expansion of the stogie lifestyle into mainstream facilities, despite the advance of smoking bans across the nation, is evident in the highly-popular cigar sections at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ PNC Park, the Tampa Bay Devil Ray’s Tropicana Field, and the Detroit Tigers’ Comerica Park.

Additionally, Patrick and I graciously offered to use our website and extensive DC cigar contacts to help promote the potential event. Specifically, John Sullivan – manager of the JR Cigar store at 17th and L Streets, NW – kindly agreed to provide patrons who purchase tickets to the section through the Nats box office with free cigars from his store, as well as a humidor and subscriptions of Cigar Magazine to raffle during the game. (Next time you pay JR a visit, be sure to thank John.)

And we even discussed in the proposal how, if the proper section were chosen, cigar smoke wouldn’t be a “bother” to other fans.

But, at least for now, the Nationals have declined to implement what would certainly be a successful marketing tool. Looks like team management would rather have no fans in their upper deck than a section of enthusiastic, courteous, and contented Stogie Guys.

Note to our readers: If you’re interested in making StogieGuys.com Cigar Night at RFK Memorial Stadium for a Nationals home game possible, please consider signing this online petition. Thanks in advance.

-Patrick A