International League Establishes New Mark For Attendance At Home Openers
Published on April 22, 2009 under International League (IL1) News Release
With the International League's final home opener for the 2009 season occurring last night in Norfolk, the League has enjoyed its best round of home openers in modern history. Both the total (138,467) and the average (9,891) attendance figures represent all-time highs for the IL dating back as far as single game attendance records have been kept.
Five teams experienced extra-special Opening Day success. Pawtucket's McCoy Stadium welcomed 14,182 fans for a franchise Opening Day record. Toledo set a Fifth Third Field single game attendance high with 13,100 on hand. A capacity crowd of 11,950 turned out for the first game at Huntington Park in Columbus. The Gwinnett Braves also opened a new stadium with 10,427 in attendance. A full house of 10,000 in Lehigh Valley exceeded last April's opening game at Coca-Cola Park.
The highly successful round of openers comes on the heels of a record season for the International League in 2008. The IL drew an all-time best 7,132,296 fans a year ago, part of an overall Minor League Baseball record of over 43.2 million.
While economic challenges have become part of everyday life for most Americans since the end of the 2008 baseball season, International League clubs have been hard at work preparing to provide an affordable entertainment outlet within their communities. Based on Opening Day numbers, it appears IL fans were quite anxious to get back to the ballpark, and there has been plenty for them to talk about so far in 2009.
Many of baseball's most highly touted prospects have opened the season in the International League, including RHP Homer Bailey (Louisville), RHP Tommy Hanson (Gwinnett), OF Austin Jackson (Scranton/WB), OF Matt LaPorta (Columbus), OF Fernando Martinez (Buffalo), OF Andrew McCutchen (Indianapolis), LHP David Price (Durham), C Matt Wieters (Norfolk), and RHP Jordan Zimmermann (Syracuse). The defending Governors' Cup Champion Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees jumped out to the best start the League has seen in over three decades, winning a franchise-record eleven games to begin the season.
Top prospects, a historic winning streak, two new ballparks, and pleasant April weather have all contributed to a great start to 2009 for the International League. Follow the League all season long at www.ILBaseball.com.
International League Stories from April 22, 2009
- Tribe Collects Season High 18 Hits To Sweep Short Series Against Toledo - Indianapolis Indians
- Richard Powers Bulls Past Braves, 6-2 - Durham Bulls
- Norfolk wins 7th straight - Norfolk Tides
- Columbus Clips Louisville - Louisville Bats
- Indians Encourage Fans to Make the Perfect Pitch - Indianapolis Indians
- Buffalo at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre - Buffalo Bisons
- Bisons Activate Freddy Garcia - Buffalo Bisons
- Twins legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew to sign autographs at Frontier Field - Rochester Red Wings
- Former ND football star Autry Denson to Throw out first pitch April 27 - Rochester Red Wings
- Gwinnett Braves Change May 7th Game Time - Gwinnett Stripers
- International League Establishes New Mark For Attendance At Home Openers - IL1
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