The Marlins are "closing the upper deck to spectators at Sun Life Stadium" for the rest of the season, according to Clark Spencer of the MIAMI HERALD. Marlins Senior VP/Communications & Broadcasting P.J. Loyello said that team execs decided it “made little sense to staff the upper deck with ushers and security personnel for a section that attracted so few fans.” The Marlins “rank last in attendance among the 30 major-league teams, averaging just over 18,000 per game in paid attendance.” Loyello said that season-ticket holders with upper-deck seats “will be ‘upgraded’ at no additional cost to infield box seats.” He noted that the team may “make an exception for the season finale -- the final game ever for the Marlins at Sun Life Stadium -- when they face the Washington Nationals on Sept. 28.” Loyello indicated that the decision “had nothing to do with safety concerns stemming from the recent tragedy in Texas.” He said that moving fans out of the upper deck to seats below “will create a better visual effect” (MIAMI HERALD, 7/12).
