Curve Provides Major League Morel At Minor League Level
By Steve Sampsell

As the Pirates open PNC Park and work to manage their small-market status with atmosphere and marketing this season, they might be able to find a model for their efforts within their minor-league system.

After all, the Altoona Curve -- a franchise located in the second-smallest market in all of double-A baseball -- regularly ranks among the leaders in minor-league attendance.

"We've always envisioned ourselves as a regional franchise," said Rob Egan, the Curve's director of broadcasting and communications. "We know we've got a home in Altoona, but we also know our base has to extend beyond that to make things work. It works because we're the closest professional team for a lot of communities in the region and also because the affiliation with the Pirates gives a lot of people in this area who are Pirates fans a chance to build their loyalties with the franchise."

Last season, the Curve attracted an average of 5,060 fans to each game at Blair County Ballpark.

With that turnout, the team ranked seventh among the nation's 30 double-A teams and 35th among all minor-league baseball teams. In fact, Altoona's attendance was better than that of teams located in cities such as Charlotte, N.C., Las Vegas, San Antonio and Toledo, Ohio.

Clearly, the bond of fans from a smaller region with a team sometimes grows tighter than that of their counterparts in more metropolitan areas. Larger areas offer more variety in activities and entertainment, and in a smaller city such as Altoona the minor league team provides a more personal experience for fans and players.

For fans, the combination of affordability and atmosphere -- a family of four can get tickets for $22 to the cozy, three-year-old ballpark that features great sight lines and an amusement park with a roller coaster as a backdrop just beyond the right field fence -- makes games an event worthy of repeat visits.

For players, the approach of the franchise and the response of fans make Altoona a more-than-bearable stop along the way during a journey they hope ends in Pittsburgh.

"It's a good place to play," said outfielder Derrick Lankford. "People come and you get a feeling that they're there and they care. You can tell a difference between our crowds and some in other places in the Eastern League. Plus, the team goes about things in a first-class manner."

Lankford was limited by a knee injury to 96 games last season. He underwent off-season surgery and expects to start with the Curve this season. He might not be the most hyped or notable member of the team this season, but Lankford should play a key role.

After moving up from short-season single-A to double-A on a fairly regular schedule during the first few years of his career, he knows the importance of this season. He's not listed among the Pirates top prospects by most baseball publications, but he has decent power and plays good defense. Also, should the injury hamper his mobility, he could play either third base or first base.

"At double-A everybody just wants to make the most of their chances," Lankford said. "When you're this close, you feel you can play. You see other people getting shots, and you want to get that chance, too."

Prospects who could join Lankford with the Curve this season include catcher J.R. House, who turned down a football scholarship from West Virginia to play professional baseball, outfielder J.J. Davis and pitcher Bobby Bradley. Like Lankford, they will experience the challenges and responsibilities of double-A baseball. Just like the majors, the schedule includes abundant travel -- although by bus, not plane -- and responsibilities in the community in terms of appearances and charitable events.

Those are more ties the closely bind the Curve's players to their dream of major league baseball.

Derrick Lankford

Year, Team--Avg.--HR--RBI

2000, Altoona--.293.--10--40

1999, Lynchburg--.292--20--88

1998, Augusta--.278--22--89

1997, Erie--.308--10-55

Steve Sampsell is a freelance writer who lives in State College.