Historic Tampa Bay Rays, Surprising Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds Helping Fuel Attendance Growth
Major League Baseball seems like a better product this year, and that's reflected in the latest attendance numbers from the league.
With an emphasis on balls in play, showcasing athleticism and decreasing game times, fans are coming out to the ballpark in great numbers - and some of the most surprising teams in baseball are fueling the increased attendance numbers.
Per @CodifyBaseball on Twitter:
Average home attendance this year vs. last year:
+39% PHI
+27% CLE
+24% TB
+22% BAL
+21% PIT CIN
+17% TEX
+13% HOU
+9% TOR
+9% ARI
+8% LAA SD
+6% MIA
+5% NYM
+4% MIN
+3% NYY
+3% CHC
+2% KC
+1% SEA LAD
0% ATL
-1% STL
-2% OAL BOS
-3% MIL SF
-6% DET
-10% COL
-14% WSH
-22% CWS
It's great to see that all but ten teams are up in attendance this year and it's great to see some lately dormant fanbases have woken up as their teams have gotten better.
The Reds are currently in first place in the National League Central and boast some of the best young players in baseball while the Orioles currently own the second-best record in the American League and have the top wild card spot.
The Rays, for all the bellyaching about their attendance numbers, are leading the way in terms of growth in the American League. That is likely attributed to the team's historically good first half of the season. Tampa right now has a 54-27 record and a 4.5 game lead in the division over Baltimore.
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