Minor League Baseball Attendance Is on the Rise

The year 2008 was the benchmark for attendance at minor league baseball games, as more than 43 million fans went through the turnstiles.

Through the end of April this year, more than 6.4 million fans have made their way to the park, an increase of more than 11 percent from 2011. 

Pat O'Conner, the president of minor league baseball, was quoted on MiLB.com as to why he thought the fans are showing up in record numbers; 

"Our clubs have kept their prices at a level where our industry is, once again, one of the more affordable family-entertainment options," O'Conner said. "The average cost for a family of four to attend a minor league game this season is $61.23. The cost includes two adult tickets, two child tickets, four hot dogs, two sodas, two beers, a program or scorecard and parking.” 

Isn’t that what makes a successful business these days: Affordability? 

Whether its electronics, retail, finance, etc…if the service is affordable and comparable to its competitors, you can usually maintain your core customers while attracting new ones. In saying this, customer service is a staple of any business, and without it, those new customers would revert back to their old ways. 

O’Connor is are aware of this, as is everyone else involved in promoting minor league baseball. How else can you explain why attendance is on the rise when the majority of the cities where these teams play in are surrounded by their major league counterparts? 

Sports is entertainment, but it needs to be affordable to the average family. 

Where else can you take a family of four for $60? That’s nearly unheard of. Just going to the movies costs you, on average, $10 a ticket. And with food and drinks, you’re pushing toward $70 to $80. 

Baseball, family and affordable fun; is there any wonder attendance is creeping toward record highs? 

Find below the teams leading the way in average attendance courtesy of MiLB.com. 

Pacific Coast, Round Rock (7,583)

Mexican, Monterrey (11,878)

Eastern, Richmond (6,000)

Southern, Pensacola (4,823)

Texas, Frisco (6,745)

California, Lake Elsinore (3,923)

Carolina, Winston- Salem (4,417)

Florida State, Daytona (2,732)

Midwest, Dayton (8,513)

South Atlantic, Greensboro (5,279)

Devon is the founder and executive director of The GM's Perspective. He is a former professional baseball player with the River City Rascals & Gateway Grizzlies. Currently, Devon is a manager at a financial institution in Northern Ontario, Canada, and can be reached at [e-mail]. You can follow The GM's Perspective on Twitter and Facebook. His full bio can be seen here.