BASEBALL'S BACK: ATTENDANCE STORIES VARY FROM CITY TO CITY

     According to a USA TODAY analysis of actual Opening Day
attendance around the major leagues, no team enjoyed a 100%
showing.  In fact, four games yesterday drew 60% capacity or
less, compared to '94 when only one Opening Day game (Montreal at
Houston) drew less than 90% (USA TODAY, 4/27).


  
 
    
 
      

    
    
 
      
ATT.
    
    
 
      
CAPACITY
    
    
 
      
PCT.
    
  
  
 
    
CHI at 
      CIN
    
 
      
51,033
    
    
 
      
52,952
    
    
 
      
96%
    
  
  
 
    
SF at ATL
    
 
      
24,091
    
    
 
      
52,710
    
    
 
      
46%
    
  
  
 
    
LA at FL
    
 
      
18,587
    
    
 
      
47,226
    
    
 
      
39% 
        (2nd game)
    
  
  
 
    
MTL at 
      PIT
    
 
      
34,841
    
    
 
      
47,972
    
    
 
      
73%
    
  
  
 
    
NYM at 
      COL
    
 
      
47,228
    
    
 
      
50,400
    
    
 
      
94%
    
  
  
 
    
PHI 
      at STL
    
 
      
32,573
    
    
 
      
57,078
    
    
 
      
57%
    
  
  
 
    
HOU at 
      SD
    
 
      
41,961
    
    
 
      
46,510
    
    
 
      
90%
    
  
  
 
    
MIN at 
      BOS
    
 
      
32,980
    
    
 
      
33,871
    
    
 
      
97%
    
  
  
 
    
TEX at 
      NYY
    
 
      
50,245
    
    
 
      
57,545
    
    
 
      
87%
    
  
  
 
    
CHI at 
      MIL
    
 
      
31,426
    
    
 
      
53,192
    
    
 
      
59%
    
  
  
 
    
OAK at 
      TOR
    
 
      
50,426
    
    
 
      
50,516
    
    
 
      
99%
    
  
  
 
    
BAL at 
      KC
    
 
      
24,170
    
    
 
      
40,625
    
    
 
      
60%
    
  
  
 
    
DET at 
      CAL
    
 
      
51,033
    
    
 
      
64,593
    
    
 
      
79%
    
  


     OUTSIDE LOOKING IN:  After 8 1/2 hours of "protracted
statements, testimony and cross-examinations" before the Ontario
Labour Relations Board, the locked-out umpires and MLB
representatives "drew no closer to settling the issue of whether
the lockout of umpires is even subject to Ontario's anti-scab
law" (James Christie, Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 4/27).
     MORE OPENING DAY QUOTES:  Peter Gammons writes, "On a day
that didn't feel like Opening Day, there was a deep, honest sense
of beginning, that they now realize they need you" (BOSTON GLOBE,
4/27). Acting MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, in his dual role as
Brewers Owner, after visiting fans at pre-game tailgates:  "I got
a wonderful response.  It was exhilarating" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
SENTINEL, 4/27).... Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner, forced to
watch the game from Tampa because of health problems, after
seeing other scores:  "Look at those Brewers beating up on the
White Sox.  And they talk like they're small market" (N.Y. DAILY
NEWS, 4/27)....Reds Owner Marge Schott, asked if her team had any
"special" plans for fans:  "What do you mean?" (CINCINNATI
ENQUIRER, 4/27).   MLBPA's Don Fehr, on the prospect of playing a
full season:  "I would say probably without interruption, but
things change so rapidly" (CBS, 4/26).