While 13 of the 16 MLB teams still in wild card contention
are enjoying strong second half attendance, eight of those teams
are showing an appreciable downward trend as the season -- and
the races -- move toward conclusion. Average attendance for
those 13 teams for home games played since August 15 is lower
than that for games between the All-Star break and that date.
That would seem to contradict the aim of the new divisional
system, which was designed primarily to maintain fan interest
through September.
While the races may not be drawing fans at the rate hoped
for by MLB officials, the new system is preventing the severe
drop-off which has plagued teams out of playoff contention. For
example, the Twins' average attendance since August 15 is 25%
lower than their pre-break average.
AL SEASON AVG. 2ND HALF AVG. ATTENDANCE 2ND HALF
TEAM 1ST HALF NOW AS OF 8/15 POST-8/15 OVERALL +/-
SEA 17,846 19,762 19,263 25,535 21,951 +23%
NYY 20,959 23,927 27,569 23,569 26,636 +25%
KC 17,771 18,049 19,516 16,590 18,367 + 3%
TEX 27,563 27,873 32,371 23,217 28,343 + 3%
MIL 13,395 15,724 19,100 16,664 18,207 +36%
OAK 16,869 17,046 17,388 17,230 17,306 + 3%
CHI 23,616 23,079 23,229 21,369 22,402 - 5%
BAL 41,437 42,781 44,431 44,099 44,309 + 7%
NL SEASON AVG. 2ND HALF AVG. ATTENDANCE 2ND HALF
TEAM 1ST HALF NOW AS OF 8/15 POST-8/15 OVERALL +/-
COL 46,121 46,936 48,070 48,059 48,064 + 4%
LA 36,510 37,218 38,452 37,055 38,052 + 4%
CHI 26,775 27,828 27,967 28,071 28,006 + 5%
HOU 18,624 19,472 22,073 18,623 20,779 +10%
MON 19,772 18,972 19,098 16,819 18,269 - 8%
PHI 30,998 29,783 29,563 26,858 28,307 - 9%
SD 13,337 14,141 16,854 11,452 15,118 +13%
SF 15,710 17,128 20,175 14,214 18,422 +17%
