Previous entry: 
Next entry:
Florida Marlins attendance up 12.5 percent in 2009
Bolstered by announced crowds of more than 31,000 for each of the last four home games of the 2009 season, the Florida Marlins saw their attendance rise 12.5 percent from 2008.
The Marlins drew 1,465,109 fans for 78 home dates or an average of 18,783 fans a game. That’s up from 1,335,075 or 16,688 fans a game for 80 dates in 2008. This season three games were postponed due to rain and doubleheaders were scheduled in which attendance was counted just once. The team wrapped up its home schedule at Land Shark Stadium Sunday getting shut out 4-0 by the New York Mets.
That’s still last in the National League, but up one spot from the basement, where the team dwelled (in attendance) for the past three seasons. The Oakland A’s, who are in 30th place right now, play three more games at home this week, but it’s unlikely their home attendance will surpass the Marlins'.
The past four Marlins games had announced crowds of 31,042; 39,031; 35,666; and 31,167. Remember, Major League Baseball teams announce the number of tickets sold, regardless of whether the tickets are vastly discounted, included as part of sponsors’ deals, or stamped with a $1 figure and donated to charity.
Comments
This low attendance is actually very sad. The Marlins played competitive baseball this year. They have some good players and most likely the NL Rookie of the Year. I think many fans have been so screwed over the years by investing in the team - both financially and emotionally - only to see our favorite players shipped off year after year. This has had a big toll on the attendance and in trying to build a fan base.
Maybe the Marlins were sick of having the lowest attendance in the league year after year so the sought to be second-to-last by giving away these free seats (or for $1) in an effort for these to count towards the official attendance figures. We all know this is a farce.
Let's not forget that the Yankees series brought in probably 125,000 tickets so that may have skewed the overall figures. And those people were there to see the Yanks, not the Marlins.
But even if we give them the benefit of the doubt and count every ticket "sold", having an average of less than 19,000 a game is terrible. Just imagine what the real numbers are.
Posted by: BJ | September 29, 2009 10:01 AM
I'd like to know how the Marlins get the attendance figures.Almost every game seems to have a lot fewer people in the stands, than the announced attendance. I find it hard to believe, that so many thousands of people, buy tickets and then do not show up for the game.
Posted by: What | September 28, 2009 8:39 AM