16°c Light rain
12°c Rain
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
MLB's playoff push putting people in stands
THE extra playoff spot in Major League Baseball this season has thickened the races, with several teams well within October's reach despite taking mediocre records into the stretch run.
That's having an impact in the seats -- as has some good weather, signs of life in the economy and other factors. MLB-wide attendance is up again, about four per cent from 2011.
"There are more teams that have a shot, so it's given teams a lot of hope," said Lou DePaoli, chief marketing officer for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
MLB's eight best season attendance totals have all come in the last eight years, and this one is on pace to keep that run going.
The major league average of 31,516 through Monday was up 4.3 per cent from 2011's final average of 30,229, according to STATS LLC, but remains below the pre-recession highs of 32,785 in 2007 and 32,528 the following year. The average usually declines in September, after schools are back in session.
The defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals have been selling an average of 3,383 more tickets per game from last year, even after losing megastar Albert Pujols. They're on track to hit the three million mark for the 14th time in the last 15 seasons. Though the Royals are sputtering, having the All-Star game in Kansas City sparked sales a bit. They're up 3,204 per game.
-- The Associated Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 15, 2012 C6
More Baseball
- Back to Top
- Return to Baseball
More Baseball
(1 of 17 articles for today)
Locke allows 3 hits in 7 innings, Alvarez homers as Pirates beat Astros 1-0
3:28 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular Baseball
- Fish thrust into eye of storm for opener
- Goldeyes general glowing
- Goldeyes sign rookie pitcher, release Osuna
- Blue Jays' Brandon Morrow sharp - except for 2 homers by Robinson Cano in 7-2 loss to Yankees
- Blue Jays claim right-hander Thad Weber off waivers from San Diego Padres
- Goldeyes send pair of players packing
- Darvish's arm getting a workout
- Fish prepping for opener in Texas
- Blue Jays-Yankees finale scrubbed by rain, no makeup announced
- National League Capsules
- Goldeyes general glowing
- Goldeyes release pair of pitchers
- Fish thrust into eye of storm for opener
- Fish prepping for opener in Texas
- Blue Jays bust out in Boston
- Goldeyes send pair of players packing
- Goldeyes sign rookie pitcher, release Osuna
- Elbow surgery for Blue Jays pitcher
- Goldeyes hit road for 16-day swing
- Manitoba at the bat
- Goldeyes' hurler living the dream, even in nightmare of first pro outing
- Goldeyes general glowing
- Goldeyes release pair of pitchers
- Rift repaired, Little League and family of founder Carl Stotz collaborate on museum exhibit
- Trial where ex-wife wants Dodger divorce settlement thrown out ends; ruling expected in summer
- Back at ballpark after being hit by line drive, pitcher JA Happ says 'I feel really fortunate'
- Fish thrust into eye of storm for opener
- Fish release Kendall to catch on elsewhere
- Marlins-Twins game postponed by a day due to bad weather; Minnesota has 4th washout in 9 days
- Fish prepping for opener in Texas
- Rockies INF D.J. LeMahieu works his way back to the big leagues, LHP Francis goes on 15-day DL
- Goldeyes release pair of pitchers
- Rockies INF D.J. LeMahieu works his way back to the big leagues, LHP Francis goes on 15-day DL
- Jays finally punch back
- 2013 Goldeyes schedule
- Marlins-Twins game postponed by a day due to bad weather; Minnesota has 4th washout in 9 days
- Happy campers
- Goldeyes' hurler living the dream, even in nightmare of first pro outing
- MLB suspends, fines umpires after acknowledging 2nd mistake in 2 days
- Goldeyes release pair of pitchers
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.