When Stephanie Horney nearly suffered a tragic loss several years ago, the Baltimore Blast?s players treated her like family.
“My grandson went into cardiac arrest after nearly drowning in a pool,” the 62-year-old Parkville resident said. “[Blast defender] P.J. [Wakefield] was one of the first there to come in and visit my grandson. They are all super guys.”
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That?s why her family has stayed loyal to the team. James Becker, Horney?s grandson who survivedthe accident, is a 17-year-old season-ticket holder, and two of her daughters are on the board of the directors for the team?s fan club with her.
But the need for such a group in the near future is in doubt.
The Major Indoor Soccer League folded until the team?s owners create a more efficient business model ? if it is feasible. The league struggled with several issues last season, including a poor national TV deal with Fox Soccer Channel that failed to broadcast parts of the championship game. The league?s title game was played at a neutral site in Milwaukee, which was too far for many fans in Baltimore or Monterrey, Mexico ? the game?s participants ? to attend.
“It makes me sad, but I understand there are problems and you know people aren?t making money. It?s not fair to the teams,” said Vickie Dulko, the Blast fan club?s president. “The fan base is down everywhere but Baltimore. I?ve been to New Jersey and Philadelphia and especially in the last year, their fan base is way down.”
The Blast, who claimed last season?s title with an 14-11 win over the LaRaza, has been the league?s most successful franchise and the winningest professional team in Baltimore recently, earning four championships in the past six years.
And the attendance numbers back up its success.
Baltimore led the league by averaging 7,229 fans for its 15 home games, compared to just 6,118 for Philadelphia, which finished second.
One of the most troubling aspects for the fans, however, is the fact once the league officially dissolves, all players will become free agents, allowing them to sign with any team ? in any league. The relationship with the fans, such as Horney?s with Wakefield, is part of what endears the team to the fans in Charm City.
“Some of these guys I have gotten very close to, them and their families,” Dulko said. “If they have to go elsewhere for soccer or other jobs, it?s going to be sad.”
