The Indians this season rank last in MLB home attendance "with a norm of 15,928 per game," but the gate statistics "are a significant improvement" over last season, according to Kevin Kleps of CRAIN'S CLEVELAND BUSINESS. The Indians in April '14 "averaged 14,176 fans for 12 dates." This year, the April norm "was 15,626 for nine games -- a 10.2% jump." The Indians "drew a total of 214,924 for their first 15 dates" in '14, an average of 14,328 per contest. This year’s 15-game total of 238,931 "is an 11.2% year-over-year improvement." Kleps: "By no means are the Indians’ attendance numbers good, especially considering 16 of the 30 clubs have a norm above 30,000, but they are better, despite a mostly poor on-field product." Indians President Mark Shapiro "is most encouraged by what he sees when he walks the renovated spaces." The Corner, the new bar in the Right Field District, "is an attraction for Millennials." Shapiro said, "The demographic we were hoping to get in The Corner bar is exactly who’s there. They’re interacting in that space as we had hoped." He added, "The Family Deck again, all good feedback. It has not been as crowded, but the real tale will be told in June, July and August." Kleps noted the only renovation space that "seems to have received any significant criticism are the upper-deck boxes in right field, because the exterior of the spaces resembles large shipping containers from a distance." But the views from the party decks -- both of the field and the city -- "are terrific" (CRAINSCLEVELAND.com, 5/12).
THE HEATER FROM VAN METER: In Cleveland, Zack Meisel notes the Indians yesterday "unveiled in the terrace club at Progressive Field" a new exhibit featuring late Baseball HOFer Bob Feller. The area "includes the glove Feller used during his Opening Day no-hitter in 1940, the bat Babe Ruth leaned against in his farewell to fans at Yankee Stadium in 1948 and display cases full of artifacts and memorabilia from Feller's career." One display "details Feller's four years spent" in the U.S. Naval Academy," while another "has a collection of equipment and gear from his playing days." The keepsakes "were hauled to Cleveland from the Bob Feller Museum in Van Meter, Iowa." That building "is now the town's city hall building," as the museum "was no longer financially viable" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 5/14).
