CAPS CALLING TO CONVINCE CUSTOMERS TO COME ON OUT: Players from the Washington Captials are sending their message directly to the people - Please come watch us:

The WASHINGTON TIMES skates in with news that forwards and defensemen alike are phoning up folks, trying to get them to purchase or renew their season tickets.

The one-on-one strategy is part of the team’s wider effort to boost attendance - which ranked 4th-worst in the league last season.

So far, the dial-ups have been a success. A spokesman says that more than a dozen season-ticket holders have re-upped after chatting with the Caps. A dozen! That’s almost 20!

In another bold marketing move, the Caps are offering special six-game packages against “the most popular teams in the NHL” - whoever they are. This is apparently an attempt to “avoid having Verizon Center filled with opponents’ fans.”

With the way his team and the league are going, owner Ted Leonsis should be happy to have any fannies in the seats.