Courtesy Hamilton Spectator:

Maybe there’s a noise bylaw in Tigertown.

Or maybe three consecutive seasons of sub five wins has left the Tiger-Cat Nation a bit shell-shocked.

Whatever the reason, the Tiger-Cats’ second annual State of the Franchise event last night seemed a bit muted notwithstanding stadium announcer Jason Farr’s best efforts to entice a little enthusiasm from the 1,000 invitation- only throng.

Farr kicked the Hamilton Convention Centre event off with a little takeoff rendition of Frank Sinatra’s My Kind of Town (Chicago Is). Farr altered the lyrics to sing about My Tigertown. The latter is the Cats’ marketing theme for this season.

Still, the whole kickoff didn’t have everyone humming on their way out.

Longtime Tabbie fan Rob Martini was taking in the event for the first time. But Martini was headed to the exits in less than two hours.

“I wouldn’t come back. Very boring, very long, very drawn out,” he said. Martini did predict the Cats will be better this season. His prediction? Four wins.

“They will be a little bit better this year than they were last year,” he said.

But Martini’s sentiments appeared in the minority.

Jim and Joanne Gamble enjoyed the festivities.

“I’m looking forward to the season. I think they’ve done a good job in the off-season,” he said.

Joanne said she was encouraged to hear that Jesse Lumsden was “110 per cent” for the coming season.

She added the event was worthwhile.

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