MLB Rumors: Up Tick in Attendance Sign That Game Is in Good Place

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MLB rumors surrounding the 2011 attendance can finally be put to bed.

Remember back in April and May when it was raining seemingly everyday? Attendance was down across the league and baseball officials were beginning to sweat.

Well fear not because the latest numbers paint a much different picture.

Matt Snyder of CBS Sports talks about the shift in attendance that has occurred over the past three plus months:

Remember early in the season when many people in the media were making a huge deal about baseball's massive attendance decline? Well, things are shifting. After having trailed 2010's average attendance per game for pretty much the whole season, attendance for 2011 is up as of this past weekend. Per BizofBaseball.com, the average attendance per game this season is now 29,893. Last season at this point, it was 29,853.

So the difference in attendance isn't monumental, but it's an extremely positive sign for the rest of the season. With half of the league still alive and well in the postseason, only a few teams are playing out the string already.

It's safe to say that the bad taste steroids left in fans mouth has finally been washed away and fans are back to enjoying the game. For the first time in a decade pitching is dominating and the game is more than just chicks digging the long ball. Bunting and sac fly's are back and better than ever.

The future of the game still needs some seriously tinkering. Considering the attention span of America is declining by the day, a four hour Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees game is just not realistic anymore. The speed of the game needs to be increased dramatically and the league offices needs to embrace the Youtube era.

But considering the economy is still less than stellar, seeing an increase in anything is a positive sign. Seeing teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates finally record multiple sellouts, baseball has to be pleased.

As we beginning to debate realignment and a different postseason format, MLB needs to make sure they keep their fans in mind with every decision made because right now they're buying what MLB selling.

—Eric Ball

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