Minor Leagues Drawing Major Fan Numbers
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowFort Wayne TinCaps President Mike Nutter says low price points and vast entertainment options brought more than 42 million fans to Minor League Baseball ballparks throughout the country this season. The TinCaps, South Bend Silver Hawks and Indianapolis Indians all set regular season attendance records this year. Nutter says, since minor league rosters tend to change constantly, organizations must market around the game experience, rather than specific players or team performance. He says large attendance numbers can pack a major economic punch because of increased spending in the cities' hotels, restaurants and stores.
September 10, 2014
News Release
Fort Wayne, Ind. — The TinCaps set records for single-game, regular season, and overall attendance at Parkview Field in 2014. And they weren't alone in enjoying success at the gates.
A total of 42,411,194 Minor League Baseball fans came through the turnstiles this season, marking the 10th consecutive year that the organization has drawn an excess of 41 million fans across its 176 teams and 15 leagues. The number represents increases in both total number of fans (857,413) and percentage of fans (2.1 percent) from 2013. The 2014 attendance figures follow third only to 2008's all-time record-setting attendance of 43.3 million and 42.8 million in 2007. All of Minor League Baseball’s top 10 regular season attendance years have been in the last decade, signaling in part the growth and stability of the organization.
“The fact that Minor League Baseball has recorded its top 10 attendance totals in the past decade demonstrates the cumulative power of the brand and validates our place among recognizable sports properties,” said Minor League Baseball President & CEO Pat O'Conner. “MiLB continues to prove year after year that it is a quality product, not just in terms of entertainment on the field, but also as a sound partner in its communities and with both local and national marketing sponsors. The tremendous support of our fans has afforded us the opportunity to accomplish these milestones.”
The TinCaps welcomed a single-game record 9,182 fans for their game on the Fourth of July this year. Over the course of 70 regular season games, a new high of 406,715 came to Parkview Field. Two playoff games surged the TinCaps' overall 2014 attendance number to a record-setting 411,028.
Including Parkview Field, which opened in 2009, Minor League Baseball has built an impressive 58 new ballparks since 2000.
To request additional attendance information, contact the Minor League Baseball communications department at Communications@MiLB.com.
About Minor League Baseball
Minor League Baseball, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, is the governing body for all professional baseball teams in the United States, Canada, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic that are affiliated with Major League Baseball clubs through their farm systems. Fans are coming out in unprecedented numbers to this one-of-a-kind experience that can only be found at Minor League Baseball ballparks. In 2014, Minor League Baseball attracted 42.4 million fans to its ballparks to see the future stars of the sport hone their skills. From the electricity in the stands to the excitement on the field, Minor League Baseball has provided affordable family-friendly entertainment to people of all ages since its founding in 1901. For more information about Minor League Baseball, visit www.MiLB.com.
Source: Fort Wayne TinCaps
September 2, 2014
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — With a standing room only crowd of 15,250 at its home finale on Aug. 30 – the largest crowd since Sept. 5, 2009 – the Indianapolis Indians established a new Victory Field record for single-season attendance. A total of 660,289 fans enjoyed Indianapolis Indians baseball in 2014.The previous record was 659,237 set in 1998.
After leading all of Minor League Baseball in attendance last season (637,579), and drawing the fifth-most fans in 2012 (595,043), the Tribe has welcomed nearly two million fans to Victory Field over the last three seasons, the most of any US-based Minor League Baseball team (1,892,911).
New franchise records within the overall attendance figure included an average attendance of 10,125 over the team’s last 53-of-72 games in the 14,230-seat ballpark, eight sellouts, and three games with more than 15,000 fans.
Corporate outings and other groups came to Victory Field in record numbers this season including one game that featured an outing of more than 5,000 guests.
In a year of attendance highlights, on Aug. 3 18-year-old Victory Field also welcomed its 11 millionth fan.
About the Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are the professional Triple-A baseball club affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and has been in continuous operation since 1902. The Indians play their home games at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis, a 14,230-seat ballpark that has received numerous local and national accolades as one of the best minor league stadiums in the United States. In 2014 the Indians' front office was named one of the “Best Places to Work in Indiana” by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. The two-time International League West Division champions led all of Minor League Baseball in 2013 in overall attendance and the Tribe was also presented with Baseball America's Triple-A Bob Freitas Award for the best overall operations at the Triple-A level. The mission of the Indianapolis Indians' is to provide Indians baseball at Victory Field as affordable and memorable family fun.
Source: Indianapolis Indians
September 2, 2014
News Release
Fort Wayne, Ind. — With a crowd of 7,805 at Parkview Field on Friday night, the TinCaps set a new record for regular season attendance. The TinCaps’ 2014 attendance of 406,715 fans surpassed the previous high of 404,932 fans in 2010.
“To go achieve our all-time record attendance in year six is amazing,” TinCaps President Mike Nutter said. “It's incredible considering the very cold, wet, and snowy April. We share this success with all of our fans from this region. We don’t take their support for granted. We certainly appreciate the way folks in this region have embraced Parkview Field.”
Entering Friday, the TinCaps had the third highest 2014 attendance of all Class A teams, while also outdrawing 26 of 30 Double-A teams and 12 of 30 Triple-A clubs.
“I'm blessed to get to lead an amazing staff with incredible support from our owner, the City of Fort Wayne, corporate sponsors, and the media,” Nutter said. “There is no way we could do this without everyone on the same team.”
Friday night was the 25th sell-out crowd of the season at Parkview Field.
“The Padres have supplied us with another fun, talented, and exciting group of future major league players and staff and they deserve credit as well.”
The TinCaps lost Friday to first-place West Michigan, 12-9. Fort Wayne finishes its season at Bowling Green with three games Saturday-Monday. The TinCaps are a 0.5-game behind the Great Lakes Loons for the Midwest League Eastern Division wild card.
“To go over 406,000 for the first time ever in year six is a special accomplishment. The momentum and excitement in Fort Wayne is awesome to be a part of. The future is bright and I honestly believe with the support of this region we will continue to grow attendance and provide great family-friendly affordable entertainment for MANY years to come.”
TinCaps Regular Season Final Attendance Numbers
2014: 406,715
2010: 404,932
2013: 403,596
2012: 396,531
2011: 379,524
2009: 378,629
Source: Fort Wayne TinCaps
August 29, 2014
News Release
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Your South Bend Silver Hawks drew 5,012 guests to Four Winds Field tonight breaking the single season attendance record that was set in 1994. The final 2014 season attendance is 258,836, exceeding the previous