SACRAMENTO (AP) " Sacramento's successful minor league baseball team hasn't had any trouble filling its stands in recent years " but that was before the recession took hold.
The Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland A's, is averaging 8,462 people a game. That's down 12 percent from the team's average during the first 24 games in 2008.
River Cats executives are trying to lure fans to Raley Field with theme nights, such as those for dog lovers. Corner seats in the stands go for $7, the same price as lawn seating in the outfield.
Ripper Hatch, the team's vice president of ticket sales, says times are tough, but team officials hope the marketing techniques work.
The team currently has 55 employees, after leaving two positions unfilled and cutting others in the past year.