Round Rock One Home Game Away From 5 Million Mark

Published on May 27, 2007 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release

ROUND ROCK - Just over eight years ago, the swath of land that now plays home to The Dell Diamond was little more than a sea of corn.

But on Monday, the area that transformed baseball in Central Texas will reach a monumental milestone when the Round Rock Express welcomes its 5 millionth fan through the turnstiles at The Dell Diamond.

Fans to Monday's 12:05 p.m. game, which will also be carried live on FSN Southwest, will be randomly chosen to receive giveaways such as autographed memorabilia throughout the game.

"When we first started this project, we wanted to bring baseball back to Central Texas and back to the fans," said Ryan Sanders Baseball president and CEO Reid Ryan. "Monday is just a testament to the loyalty of our fans and the quality of baseball that we're able to bring to the area through our affiliation with the Houston Astros."

Round Rock drew a Double-A Texas League record 660,110 fans to 71 home games in its inaugural season in 2000, and continually built on that record before leaping to Triple-A in 2005. In its first season as a Pacific Coast league affiliate, the Express played host to a franchise-record 700,277 fans. Over eight seasons, Round Rock is averaging more than 9,500 fans per game, the second-best attendance average over the stretch in all of minor league baseball.

This season, Round Rock has drawn 274,130 fans through 30 openings (9,033 fans attended the May 24 game against Iowa that was postponed; that attendance will be officially recognized in July when the two teams complete the game in Iowa). Needing just 7,399 turnstile twists to hit 5 million, preliminary ticket sales indicate that the Express will easily eclipse that number for Monday's game against Memphis.

"It's incredible when you step back and look at all that our fans have helped us to accomplish," Express president Jay Miller said. "Year after year, win or lose, our fans have never stopped supporting us."

Pacific Coast League Stories from May 27, 2007

• Defensive Woes Hurt Sidewinders In Loss - Tucson Sidewinders
• Albuquerque drops second straight - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Rivera Homers Twice, Gallardo Earns Seventh Victory - Nashville Sounds
• Catcher Hits Two Home Runs, Drives In Five Runs - Portland Beavers
• Colorado Springs Edges Sacramento, 5-4 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
• Victory For The Redbirds In Front Of 9,247 Fans At The Dell Diamond. - Round Rock Express
• Z's Lose In Omaha - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• Round Rock One Home Game Away From 5 Million Mark - Round Rock Express
• Jars Of Clay, NashVegas Night, Birthday Bash On Tap Over Eight Games - Nashville Sounds
• Oklahoma Redhawks game notes - Oklahoma City Comets
• Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
• Barzilla's Home Dominance Continues - Round Rock Express
• Sky Sox Win in Walk-Off Fashion, 5-4 Over Sacramento - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
• Nashville tops Albuquerque, 6-4 - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Six Run Seventh Gives Sidewinders Fifth Straight Win - Tucson Sidewinders

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.

Other Recent Round Rock Express Stories

• Round Rock Express to Host Blood Drive on Thursday, July 23
• Round Rock Takes Series Finale in Reno, 5-2
• Express Handed First Series Loss of the Second Half and Drop a Fourth Consecutive Game
• Express Drop Third Straight as Aces Earn 8-6 Win
• Round Rock Offense Held Quiet Through Final Seven Innings