ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-Minor League Baseball has set its all-time regular season attendance record for the fifth consecutive year. The industry's 15 leagues and 176 clubs attracted 43,263,740 fans, enabling Minor League Baseball to surpass the 43-million mark for the first time in its 107-year history. This season's total represents an increase of 450,928 fans, or 1.1%, over 2007. "Given the obstacles we faced this year with the economy, devastating floods and late season hurricanes, the 2008 attendance number achieved by our teams is further proof of baseball's renaissance and place in the fabric and fiber that is America," said Minor League Baseball President Pat O'Conner. "Each of our host communities and teams should be proud of the job we do to provide this great game to the greatest sports fans in the world." Four leagues set records of their own. The International League and Texas League eclipsed the 7-million and 3-million fan marks, respectively, for the first time ever. The Midwest and Pioneer circuits set new league records for the second year in a row. Other leagues that topped their 2007 total were the Mexican, Carolina and Appalachian. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs. |
