International League To Set Attendance Record Tonight
Published on August 29, 2008 under International League (IL1) News Release
Tonight the International League will establish a new single-season attendance record. The League enters play this evening with a total attendance on the year of 6,805,260 - roughly 10,000 shy of the circuit's all-time standard of 6,815,633 set in 2002. The 2002 season was highlighted by the Toledo Mud Hens move into fan-friendly Fifth Third Field.
The IL is averaging over 7,220 fans per opening in this the 125th season of operation; an increase of over 3.5% from 2007. The League, which in 1998 became the first Minor League to exceed an attendance of 5 million and then 6 million in a single season (with a four-team expansion), will likely finish the 2008 campaign with an attendance of over 7 million fans for the first time ever.
Combined with the IL's counterpart, the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A Baseball may also be primed for a record attendance in 2008. To this point the two Leagues have combined for a total attendance of 13,776,962, leaving the classification just 487,182 short of last year's all-time high of 14,264,144.
One of the most significant factors in the International League's success at the gate this season has been the addition of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in Allentown, PA. Playing in the brand new Coca-Cola Park, the IronPigs have emerged as one of the League's strongest draws, welcoming nearly 600,000 fans in their first season in the IL.
Next season the League will debut two more new facilities. Huntington Park opens in Columbus, Ohio replacing 77-year-old Cooper Stadium as the home of the Columbus Clippers and Gwinnett County, Georgia will welcome the relocated affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. All indications are the attendance record established in 2008 will be short lived as 2009 may very well be another record-breaking season for the International League.
International League Stories from August 29, 2008
- McCutchen and Delaney Have Three Hits Each In Second Straight Win - Indianapolis Indians
- Red Wings Demolish Scranton - Rochester Red Wings
- Tides upended by Braves - Norfolk Tides
- Bulls fall to Knights - Durham Bulls
- Mud Hens welcome 4,000,000th fan on Friday night - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bisons Activate Bronze-Medal Olympian, RHP Jeff Stevens - Buffalo Bisons
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo Bisons
- International League to Set Attendance Record - IL1
- International League To Set Attendance Record Tonight - IL1
- 2008 Playoff Matchups All Set - IL1
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
