Carolina League sets attendance record
More than 1.9 million fans in '13 came out to Carolina ballparks
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- For the first time in its 69-year history, paid attendance at Carolina League ballparks surpassed 1.9 million in 2013. The final regular season total of 1,934,740 broke the all-time record set just last year.
Six of the eight clubs showed an increase over 2012, led by the Potomac Nationals, who were up a whopping 23.3 percent and set a franchise record at 236,772. The Frederick Keys at 324,311 led the league in total attendance for the second consecutive year, showing an increase of four percent.
The 2013 season was not without its weather challenges, as the clubs had four fewer openings than last year. Average attendance increased by three percent to 3,657.
Carolina League attendance in 2013
| Team | Total | Openings | Average | 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frederick Keys | 324,311 | 66 | 4,914 | 311,805 |
| Winston-Salem Dash | 301,366 | 67 | 4,498 | 305,515 |
| Wilmington Blue Rocks | 292,319 | 66 | 4,429 | 287,992 |
| Potomac Nationals | 236,772 | 67 | 3,534 | 191,928 |
| Carolina Mudcats | 224,736 | 67 | 3,354 | 225,577 |
| Myrtle Beach Pelicans | 222,406 | 66 | 3,370 | 220,273 |
| Salem Red Sox | 172,293 | 63 | 2,735 | 178,730 |
| Lynchburg Hillcats | 160,537 | 67 | 2,396 | 155,261 |
| Totals | 1,934,740 | 529 | 3,657 | 1,877,081 |