Introduction to Minor League Baseball
Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is a professional baseball organization that operates in the United States, Canada, and the Dominican Republic. It is composed of teams that are affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. MiLB teams are organized into various leagues and classifications, including Triple-A, Double-A, High-A, Low-A, Rookie, and Short-Season/Rookie.
MiLB teams provide a development system for players interested in advancing to the major leagues. Players are sent to MiLB teams to gain experience and hone their skills, and are then promoted to the majors when ready. The MiLB season runs from the beginning of April to the end of September, with teams playing an average of 140 games.
MiLB Attendance Overview
Attendance numbers for MiLB teams vary greatly depending on the team and its location. In 2019, MiLB reported a total attendance of 42,515,173 fans, with an average attendance of 4,502 per game. This figure is down from the previous year, which saw an average attendance of 4,744 per game.
The largest attendance for any MiLB game in 2019 was 11,220, which was for the Triple-A All-Star Game. The lowest attendance for any MiLB game in 2019 was 127, which was for a Low-A game.
Average Attendance of Triple-A MiLB Games
Triple-A is the highest level of MiLB and the closest to the major leagues. The average attendance for Triple-A MiLB games in 2019 was 5,785, with a range of 8,635 (highest) to 1,722 (lowest).
The Pacific Coast League (PCL) had the highest average attendance in 2019, with 6,171 fans per game. The International League (IL) had the second-highest average attendance, with 5,722 fans per game.
Average Attendance of Double-A MiLB Games
Double-A is the second-highest level of MiLB. The average attendance for Double-A MiLB games in 2019 was 3,819, with a range of 6,776 (highest) to 880 (lowest).
The Eastern League (EL) had the highest average attendance in 2019, with 4,510 fans per game. The Southern League (SL) had the second-highest average attendance, with 4,289 fans per game.
Average Attendance of High-A MiLB Games
High-A is the third-highest level of MiLB. The average attendance for High-A MiLB games in 2019 was 1,711, with a range of 4,267 (highest) to 231 (lowest).
The California League (CL) had the highest average attendance in 2019, with 2,753 fans per game. The Carolina League (CAR) had the second-highest average attendance, with 2,631 fans per game.
Average Attendance of Low-A MiLB Games
Low-A is the fourth-highest level of MiLB. The average attendance for Low-A MiLB games in 2019 was 1,149, with a range of 4,096 (highest) to 127 (lowest).
The Midwest League (MWL) had the highest average attendance in 2019, with 2,214 fans per game. The South Atlantic League (SAL) had the second-highest average attendance, with 1,571 fans per game.
Average Attendance of Rookie MiLB Games
Rookie is the lowest level of MiLB. The average attendance for Rookie MiLB games in 2019 was 648, with a range of 2,074 (highest) to 87 (lowest).
The Appalachian League (APP) had the highest average attendance in 2019, with 1,104 fans per game. The Pioneer League (PL) had the second-highest average attendance, with 924 fans per game.
Average Attendance of Short-Season/Rookie MiLB Games
Short-Season/Rookie is the second-lowest level of MiLB. The average attendance for Short-Season/Rookie MiLB games in 2019 was 555, with a range of 2,114 (highest) to 137 (lowest).
The New York-Penn League (NYP) had the highest average attendance in 2019, with 998 fans per game. The Northwest League (NWL) had the second-highest average attendance, with 826 fans per game.
Conclusion
In conclusion, MiLB attendance numbers can vary greatly depending on the team and its location. The average attendance for all MiLB games in 2019 was 4,502, with the Triple-A level having the highest average attendance at 5,785. The lowest average attendance was for Rookie-level games, at 648.
Impact of COVID-19 on MiLB Attendance
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on MiLB attendance. In 2020, MiLB reported a total attendance of 4,569,422 fans, with an average attendance of 2,387 per game. This is a significant drop from the previous year, due to the various health and safety protocols that have been put in place in order to protect fans and players alike.
MiLB Attendance Future Outlook
It is difficult to predict what the future of MiLB attendance will look like. It is likely that attendance will remain lower than pre-pandemic levels until a vaccine is widely available. However, as more people become vaccinated, it is possible that MiLB teams will see an increase in attendance as fans become more comfortable returning to the stadiums.
MiLB Attendance Resources
For more information on MiLB attendance, check out the following resources:
- MiLB Official Website: This is the official website of Minor League Baseball, with information on teams, stats, and more.
- Ballpark Digest: This is an online magazine dedicated to covering the business of minor league baseball.
- MiLB Attendance Database: This is an online database of MiLB attendance figures, with data for each team, league, and season.
Key Takeaways
What is the average attendance of a Minor League Baseball game?
In 2019, the average attendance for all MiLB games was 4,502, with the Triple-A level having the highest average attendance at 5,785. The lowest average attendance was for Rookie-level games, at 648. In 2020, the average attendance for all MiLB games dropped to 2,387 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.