April Minor League Attendance Numbers In, Up From 2009

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-Minor League Baseball fans attended games in near record numbers through April, as 5,971,139 patrons accounted for the second highest total through the first month of domestic league play in history. The total through last month is second only to the 6,665,662 fans through April 2008, when Minor League Baseball set its attendance record of over 43.2 million.

The 136 full-season clubs, which includes the 16-team Mexican League that began play in March, averaged 3,818 fans a game in 1,564 openings through last month. The average crowd is up 1.5%, or 57 fans, over last year's gatherings through April.

"We're very encouraged by the April attendance numbers," said Minor League Baseball President Pat O'Conner. "I think these numbers indicate our fans are eager to enjoy Minor League Baseball in 2010. It also indicates favorable weather, especially in the Northeast corridor, which has been burdened in years past with bad weather to start the season."

Six of the 11 leagues experienced larger average crowds than they did through April 2009, led by the Carolina League at 21.5% per opening. The Texas (12.5), Eastern (8.1), Mexican (5.1), Midwest (5.1) and Southern (3.5) circuits also showed improvement over last year.