Baseball Attendance Down For Second Straight Season

Darn you, economy. You’re taking people out of the ballpark. Why must you be so cruel?

↵↵Attendance has dropped 6.9 percent across the majors to its lowest level since 2003, an average of 30,276. That follows a 0.8 percent slide last year from the record average of 32,785 set in 2007.

↵Given the recession and the decrease in capacity in two new ballparks that opened in New York this year, baseball officials are pleased.

↵“Obviously, I’ve stated how well we’ve done,” commissioner Bud Selig said this week. “I’ll have plenty to say after I’ve seen the final numbers.”

↵↵Baseball officials are “pleased” attendance is down for a second straight year considering two new ballparks and the recession? Do those ballparks really make much of a difference? According to the Yankees website, the difference between the old and new Yankee Stadium is roughly 4,500 seats. Well, maybe if the seats were cheaper, that 6.9 number wouldn’t be so high.

↵However, new Yankee Stadium does have “cup holders in all seating in the general seating bowl.“ Hooray!