MLB attendance is up again

New York (AP) — The extra playoff spot in Major League Baseball this season has thickened the races, with several teams well within October’s reach despite taking mediocre records into the stretch run.

That’s having an impact in the seats — as has some good weather, signs of life in the economy and other factors. MLB-wide attendance is up again, about 4 per cent from 2011.

“There are more teams that have a shot, so it’s given teams a lot of hope,” said Lou DePaoli, chief marketing officer for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

MLB’s eight best season attendance totals have all come in the last eight years, and this one is on pace to keep that run going.

The major league average of 31,516 through Monday was up 4.3 per cent from 2011’s final average of 30,229, according to STATS LLC, but remains below the pre-recession highs of 32,785 in 2007 and 32,528 the following year. The average usually declines in September, after schools are back in session.

The defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals have been selling an average of 3,383 more tickets per game from last year, even after losing megastar Albert Pujols. They’re on track to hit the 3 million mark for the 14th time in the last 15 seasons. Though the Royals are sputtering, having the All-Star game in Kansas City sparked sales a bit. They’re up 3,204 per game.