MLB Rangers Expect Big Home Crowd, Institute New Parking Policy

A crowd of about 50,000 is expected at Rangers Ballpark today for the MLB team's home opener against the Angels at 1:05pm CT. Motorists without tickets "won't be let in" to the parking lot, a "new club rule designed to ensure that those who intend to go to the game have a place to park." For the '12 home opener, "thousands of ticket holders had to park a half-mile or more away because 10,000 to 20,000 people without tickets showed up just to tailgate" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 4/5).

Meanwhile, attendance for the Blue Jays' second home game of the season dropped of by nearly 50% from Tuesday's sold-out season opener. The announced crowd of 24,619 at Wednesday's game against the Indians was "even down from last season's second home game, which drew 26,351" (TORONTO STAR, 4/5).