All I ever hear from baseball apologists is that popularity is at an all time high and baseball is breaking attendance records every year. I am not denying the validity of these statements, but what does "breaking the attendance record" mean? If it is based upon viewership and how many come to games, it baffles me how this is the case?

 

- During the Yankees game last night, I cannot imagine them having over 50% of their stadium full. And we are not talking about a mid-Tuesday afternoon game in the summer, this was a national broadcast on the third day of the season for one of, if not the top franchise in sports.

 

- The Marlins average about 18 fans a game.

 

- Boston is the only park that seems to be full every night.

All I ever hear from baseball apologists is that popularity is at an all time high and baseball is breaking attendance records every year. I am not denying the validity of these statements, but what does "breaking the attendance record" mean? If it is based upon viewership and how many come to games, it baffles me how this is the case?

 

- During the Yankees game last night, I cannot imagine them having over 50% of their stadium full. And we are not talking about a mid-Tuesday afternoon game in the summer, this was a national broadcast on the third day of the season for one of, if not the top franchise in sports.

 

- The Marlins average about 18 fans a game.

 

- Boston is the only park that seems to be full every night.

 

Wrigley is always full as well...

 

 

But a lot of these stadiums are from years gone by and were built to hold a lot more fans than they can provide. This is why some teams with there new stadiums are going to less seating, IE the Reds and I believe the new Busch has less seating as well.

 

Baseball is very popular right now IMO, only behind the NFL.

I was watching the Reds game last night and there were quite a few seats that were empty. It is early in the season (3-4 days in) and some games are being played where it is still cold. I do think that the steroid issue is beginning to show it's effect. By mid season we'll see.

I was very disappointed by the crowd at Great American Ballpark last night. A lot of empty seats; however, it was a little chilly and the weather hasn't been too great lately.

 

I thought the atmosphere looked awesome at Yankee Stadium, but I only caught the end of the game and didn't get a great look at how full the stadium was.

Wrigley is always full as well...

 

 

But a lot of these stadiums are from years gone by and were built to hold a lot more fans than they can provide. This is why some teams with there new stadiums are going to less seating, IE the Reds and I believe the new Busch has less seating as well.

 

Baseball is very popular right now IMO, only behind the NFL.

Add in Wrigley and a couple other places as well, but I still contend the "attendance record" number is inflated someway, either that or baseball attendance has always been down. Is attendnace based upon how many people go through the gates, or how many regular season tickets are sold? I am not sure if it is corporate sponsors that have seats but simply do not go to games or what? It just puzzles me when you hear baseball is at an all-time high but nobody is at games when you watch :confused:

I was very disappointed by the crowd at Great American Ballpark last night. A lot of empty seats; however, it was a little chilly and the weather hasn't been too great lately.

 

I thought the atmosphere looked awesome at Yankee Stadium, but I only caught the end of the game and didn't get a great look at how full the stadium was.

I watched from the 6 inning on and there was not that big of a crowd.

And I also realize the dynamic of the 162 game season and not everyone can go every night. It was just a little troubling seeing in the first week, so many empty seats at Yankee Stadium.

It's not really baseball weather everywhere yet too...

All I ever hear from baseball apologists is that popularity is at an all time high and baseball is breaking attendance records every year. I am not denying the validity of these statements, but what does "breaking the attendance record" mean? If it is based upon viewership and how many come to games, it baffles me how this is the case?

 

- During the Yankees game last night, I cannot imagine them having over 50% of their stadium full. And we are not talking about a mid-Tuesday afternoon game in the summer, this was a national broadcast on the third day of the season for one of, if not the top franchise in sports.

 

- The Marlins average about 18 fans a game.

 

- Boston is the only park that seems to be full every night.

 

Fix this by building an indoor, air conditioned ballpark

Add in Wrigley and a couple other places as well, but I still contend the "attendance record" number is inflated someway, either that or baseball attendance has always been down. Is attendnace based upon how many people go through the gates, or how many regular season tickets are sold? I am not sure if it is corporate sponsors that have seats but simply do not go to games or what? It just puzzles me when you hear baseball is at an all-time high but nobody is at games when you watch :confused:

 

The attendance is based on overall ticket sales.

That's funny what you said about 19 people at Florida. I always think the same thing. Has anybody been to a game there? We are going to Florida next month and I've thought about swinging over for the Tues night game. I'm tempted to buy the cheapest tickets and sit behind home plate.

Fix this by building an indoor, air conditioned ballpark

That is not the reason they are not going.

The attendance is based on overall ticket sales.

So theoretically every team could pre-sell every ticket and have not one person show up and they could break the attendance mark?

So theoretically every team could pre-sell every ticket and have not one person show up and they could break the attendance mark?

 

I don't think thats right at all, its called attendence because they are "attending"...

I heard that attendance at Camden Yards in Game 2 of this season was the lowest ever at that venue.