Minor League Baseball Attendence Up; Not Yet New Britain

Minor League Baseball™ has announced that its clubs drew 13,939,583 fans through May, a 6.3 percent increase over 2011. The 136 clubs in 11 full-season leagues attracted 824,448 more fans than they did through May last year. "I am encouraged by our clubs' attendance figures, not only in terms of raw numbers, but also in regards to their average crowds," Minor League Baseball president Pat O'Conner said. "Millions of fans continue to visit our ballparks to take advantage of the affordable entertainment and family-friendly events that encompass our Minor League Baseball games.

Eight of the 11 leagues didn't lose as many games to weather through May compared to last year, led by the Midwest League, which had 36 fewer postponements. In all, 62 fewer games were lost due to weather than in 2011.  Five leagues are experiencing bigger crowds on average than in 2011, with three others within one percent of their average 2011 crowds through May.

These Cats Rock

Of local interest, the New Britain Rock Cats of the Eastern League are drawing an average of 4,838 fans per game through their first 39 home games (through June), ranking sixth in the league.   A year ago, they ranked third in attendance in the Eastern League, drawing an average of 5,876 fans per game.  Attendance tends to increase during the summer months, when children are out of school and family vacations provide more opportunities to attend games.

In Norwich, in their first four home games the Connecticut Tigers of the N.Y.-Penn. League drew an average of 2,205 fans.  A year ago, over their full season of 35 games, the team averaged 1,780 fans.