Attendance Trivia 2009
An American Baseball Persepective analysis
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Planetary Extreme Baseball Alliance general managers are most often focused on the statistics summarizing what happens on the ball field, but no less important – and maybe more significant – are statistics regarding the front office. I present to you, attendance trivia, regarding the first three seasons of the PEBA:
176,857,516 fans have watched PEBA baseball games.- 58,035,950 seats were filled in 2007.
- 59,096,020 turned out to cheer in 2008, which was a 1.83% increase from 2007.
- 59,725,546 times did the turnstiles click in 2009, up 1.065% from 2008.
The league attendance is gradually growing. I think this is a good thing for us all.
Maybe more near and dear to the fans are the season stats for their individual teams. The average attendances for years 2007, 2008 and 2009 were 2,418,165, 2,462,334 and 2,488,564, respectively.
In 2007, the smallest attendance was 971,473 for the Tempe Knights, which was the smallest seasonal attendance ever. The largest 2007 attendance was 3,001,111 for the New Jersey Hitmen.
In 2008, the smallest attendance was 1,321,735 for the London Underground, while the largest was 3,478,465 for the New Orleans Trendsetters.
In 2009, the smallest attendance was 1,422,838 for the Tempe Knights. The largest 2009 attendance was 3,579,332 for the New Orleans Trendsetters, which also happens to be the all-time largest drawing.
The New Orleans Trendsetters have the highest cumulative attendance over the 3-year period with 9,892,630. The Tempe Knights have the smallest cumulative attendance over the 3-year period with 4,085,767. A ranking of team cumulative attendance appears at the end of this article.
Of course we need to keep in mind that attendance is only part of the picture. Many factors go into attendance, including fan interest, ticket cost, market size and fan loyalty, to name a few. It’s much tougher for a small market team to draw the big attendance numbers. Maybe wins or revenue are more important indicators of success. However, attendance is still a good indicator of team health, if only measured year by year for a given team.
The Bakersfield Bears win the award for most consistent attendance figures, with a fluctuation of no more than 115,278 fans over the three years (2,877,958, 2,844,875, and 2,762,680).
The largest fluctuation over the three year period goes to Yuma drawing 1,043,275 less in 2009 than they did in 2007 (2,543,540, 1,811,117 and 1,500,265). The largest positive fluctuation occurred for the New Orleans Trendsetters with 744,499 more attending in 2009 than 2007 (2,834,833, 3,478,465 and 3,579,332).
If measured as a percentage ratio, then the Bakersfield Bears still have the most consistent attendance figures with their 2009 attendance 95.99% of the 2007 figure (2,877,958, 2,844,875, and 2,762,680). Measured as a percentage ratio, the Tempe Knights have the largest fluctuation with their 2008 attendance being a 174.11% gain over their 2007 number (971,473, 1,691,456 and 1,422,838).
Attendance per payroll is a statistic that might show the ability of a club to draw fans without overspending. The smaller market teams seem to have an edge in this knack. The 2008 Kentucky Thoroughbreds snagged 6.0550 fans per $100 of payroll. The 2008 Tempe Knights are not far behind with 5.6391, just slightly edging out the London Underground (5.5993) and the Manchester Maulers (5.1469). A complete listing follows later in this article.
Attendance per win is a statistic that might indicate how well a team needs to perform in order to draw a good crowd. I would imagine that market size, fan loyalty, fan interest and ticket price would greatly affect these values. San Antonio was able to draw 40,444.1 fans per win in their poor 58 win 2009 season. I would think this means they have a lot of dedicated fans who show up win or lose. Meanwhile the Aurora Borealis was only able to draw 25,392.9 fans per win in their tremendous 125 win 2009 season. One might speculate that the Aurora fans got bored with winning. Then again, I’m not really certain that this statistic shows anything significant. But if you’re interested, you can see the results at the end of this article.
I hope you’ve enjoyed these tidbits of trivia. The supporting tables follow.
The following is a team by team ranking of attendance for the 3 year period 2007-2009 along with current market size and fan loyalty ratings:
|
Rank |
Attendance |
Market Size |
Fan Loyalty |
Team |
|
1 |
9,892,630 |
Rather Big |
EXTREME |
|
|
2 |
9,734,682 |
Rather Big |
Great |
|
|
3 |
9,579,535 |
Very Big |
EXTREME |
|
|
4 |
9,560,441 |
Rather Big |
Good |
|
|
5 |
8,929,861 |
Very Big |
Very Good |
|
|
6 |
8,812,043 |
Above Average |
Very Good |
|
|
7 |
8,485,513 |
HUGE |
EXTREME |
|
|
8 |
8,441,096 |
Rather Big |
EXTREME |
|
|
9 |
8,244,805 |
Rather Big |
Good |
|
|
10 |
7,853,429 |
Rather Big |
Great |
|
|
11 |
7,825,663 |
Big |
Very Good |
|
|
12 |
7,804,372 |
Above Average |
Great |
|
|
13 |
6,987,507 |
Average |
Above Average |
|
|
14 |
6,912,839 |
Below Average |
Good |
|
|
15 |
6,795,888 |
Very Big |
EXTREME |
|
|
16 |
6,544,499 |
Big |
Very Good |
|
|
17 |
6,353,461 |
Average |
Average |
|
|
18 |
6,204,664 |
Average |
Great |
|
|
19 |
6,056,616 |
Rather Big |
Great |
|
|
20 |
6,024,100 |
Above Average |
Great |
|
|
21 |
5,854,922 |
Rather Big |
Good |
|
|
22 |
5,202,827 |
Small |
Pathetic |
|
|
23 |
4,670,356 |
Small |
Average |
|
|
24 |
4,085,767 |
Very Small |
Average |
The following table shows attendance per $100 payroll:
|
Attendance per $100 payroll |
Attendance |
Payroll |
Year |
Team |
|
6.0550 |
2,108,695 |
34,825,526 |
2008 |
Kentucky Thoroughbreds |
|
5.6391 |
1,691,456 |
29,995,281 |
2008 |
Tempe Knights |
|
5.5993 |
1,913,287 |
34,170,170 |
2009 |
London Underground |
|
5.1469 |
2,135,715 |
41,495,152 |
2008 |
Manchester Maulers |
|
4.7225 |
1,497,932 |
31,718,720 |
2009 |
Kentucky Thoroughbreds |
|
4.4175 |
2,333,554 |
52,824,777 |
2007 |
Omaha Cyclones |
|
4.4033 |
2,805,367 |
63,709,984 |
2008 |
Gloucester Fishermen |
|
4.3731 |
1,435,334 |
32,822,245 |
2007 |
London Underground |
|
4.2186 |
2,434,171 |
57,700,512 |
2008 |
Florida Featherheads |
|
4.1561 |
2,778,794 |
66,860,548 |
2009 |
Manchester Maulers |
|
4.0493 |
2,433,268 |
60,091,496 |
2009 |
Florida Featherheads |
|
4.0165 |
2,310,401 |
57,523,250 |
2009 |
Omaha Cyclones |
|
3.9960 |
2,216,246 |
55,461,767 |
2009 |
Connecticut Nutmeggers |
|
3.8729 |
3,001,111 |
77,489,499 |
2007 |
New Jersey Hitmen |
|
3.7494 |
2,338,778 |
62,376,579 |
2009 |
Fargo Dinosaurs |
|
3.7218 |
1,596,200 |
42,887,524 |
2007 |
Kentucky Thoroughbreds |
|
3.7144 |
2,905,671 |
78,226,832 |
2007 |
Crystal Lake Sandgnats |
|
3.6494 |
2,819,273 |
77,253,452 |
2008 |
Charleston Statesmen |
|
3.5740 |
3,041,223 |
85,093,365 |
2009 |
Charleston Statesmen |
|
3.5562 |
1,811,117 |
50,928,750 |
2008 |
Yuma Bulldozers |
|
3.4682 |
1,321,735 |
38,109,912 |
2008 |
London Underground |
|
3.4362 |
3,478,465 |
101,229,839 |
2008 |
New Orleans Trendsetters |
|
3.3970 |
2,834,833 |
83,451,471 |
2007 |
New Orleans Trendsetters |
|
3.3609 |
1,422,838 |
42,335,551 |
2009 |
Tempe Knights |
|
3.3112 |
2,951,547 |
89,138,132 |
2007 |
Charleston Statesmen |
|
3.2744 |
2,875,978 |
87,832,012 |
2008 |
Arlington Bureaucrats |
|
3.2674 |
3,406,872 |
104,268,318 |
2008 |
Crystal Lake Sandgnats |
|
3.2534 |
3,111,485 |
95,638,190 |
2008 |
Aurora Borealis |
|
3.2517 |
2,045,400 |
62,901,773 |
2007 |
Florida Featherheads |
|
3.2140 |
2,759,926 |
85,872,654 |
2007 |
West Virginia Coal Sox |
|
3.2089 |
2,738,549 |
85,342,600 |
2007 |
Arlington Bureaucrats |
|
3.2067 |
2,003,923 |
62,490,832 |
2008 |
Connecticut Nutmeggers |
|
3.1623 |
3,028,387 |
95,764,684 |
2008 |
West Virginia Coal Sox |
|
3.1535 |
2,543,540 |
80,658,037 |
2007 |
Yuma Bulldozers |
|
3.1168 |
2,812,477 |
90,237,490 |
2007 |
Kalamazoo Badgers |
|
3.1105 |
2,811,871 |
90,397,982 |
2009 |
Gloucester Fishermen |
|
3.0561 |
2,977,507 |
97,428,772 |
2007 |
Palm Springs Codgers |
|
3.0558 |
1,709,506 |
55,942,370 |
2008 |
Omaha Cyclones |
|
3.0224 |
2,644,265 |
87,488,425 |
2007 |
Aurora Borealis |
|
3.0096 |
3,405,829 |
113,163,650 |
2008 |
New Jersey Hitmen |
|
2.9850 |
2,345,755 |
78,585,954 |
2009 |
San Antonio Calzones |
|
2.9504 |
2,610,603 |
88,483,963 |
2007 |
Duluth Warriors |
|
2.9416 |
3,174,111 |
107,906,047 |
2009 |
Aurora Borealis |
|
2.9130 |
1,500,265 |
51,502,048 |
2009 |
Yuma Bulldozers |
|
2.8656 |
1,864,643 |
65,069,216 |
2008 |
Canton Longshoremen |
|
2.8547 |
2,805,684 |
98,283,712 |
2007 |
San Antonio Calzones |
|
2.8361 |
2,630,278 |
92,742,650 |
2009 |
Arlington Bureaucrats |
|
2.8086 |
2,254,785 |
80,282,582 |
2007 |
Canton Longshoremen |
|
2.8037 |
1,978,157 |
70,555,630 |
2007 |
Fargo Dinosaurs |
|
2.8003 |
2,187,134 |
78,103,054 |
2007 |
Gloucester Fishermen |
|
2.7829 |
3,579,332 |
128,620,618 |
2009 |
New Orleans Trendsetters |
|
2.7825 |
2,712,749 |
97,493,294 |
2007 |
Reno Tenpinners |
|
2.7661 |
2,844,875 |
102,847,010 |
2008 |
Bakersfield Bears |
|
2.7509 |
1,937,188 |
70,419,154 |
2009 |
Canton Longshoremen |
|
2.7445 |
3,450,726 |
125,734,090 |
2009 |
Palm Springs Codgers |
|
2.7419 |
3,151,302 |
114,930,004 |
2008 |
Palm Springs Codgers |
|
2.7272 |
2,701,990 |
99,077,380 |
2008 |
San Antonio Calzones |
|
2.7061 |
1,900,452 |
70,227,738 |
2009 |
Duluth Warriors |
|
2.5829 |
2,072,998 |
80,259,896 |
2007 |
Manchester Maulers |
|
2.5790 |
1,707,165 |
66,195,588 |
2008 |
Fargo Dinosaurs |
|
2.5537 |
3,247,898 |
127,182,134 |
2009 |
Crystal Lake Sandgnats |
|
2.5331 |
2,687,782 |
106,107,690 |
2009 |
Kalamazoo Badgers |
|
2.4817 |
971,473 |
39,145,313 |
2007 |
Tempe Knights |
|
2.4654 |
2,762,680 |
112,056,749 |
2009 |
Bakersfield Bears |
|
2.4428 |
2,033,444 |
83,242,349 |
2008 |
Duluth Warriors |
|
2.4229 |
2,652,783 |
109,485,760 |
2009 |
West Virginia Coal Sox |
|
2.3914 |
3,327,742 |
139,154,664 |
2009 |
New Jersey Hitmen |
|
2.3725 |
2,319,223 |
97,755,035 |
2008 |
Reno Tenpinners |
|
2.3708 |
1,984,495 |
83,704,474 |
2007 |
Connecticut Nutmeggers |
|
2.2979 |
2,325,404 |
101,197,111 |
2008 |
Kalamazoo Badgers |
|
2.2047 |
2,877,958 |
130,539,232 |
2007 |
Bakersfield Bears |
|
1.9313 |
1,763,916 |
91,331,472 |
2009 |
Reno Tenpinners |
The following table shows attendance per win:
|
Attendance per win |
Wins |
Attendance |
Year |
Team |
|
40,444.1 |
58 |
2.345.755 |
2009 |
San Antonio Calzones |
|
37,963.3 |
67 |
2.543.540 |
2007 |
Yuma Bulldozers |
|
37,815.3 |
88 |
3.327.742 |
2009 |
New Jersey Hitmen |
|
37,563.5 |
59 |
2.216.246 |
2009 |
Connecticut Nutmeggers |
|
36,632.5 |
54 |
1.978.157 |
2007 |
Fargo Dinosaurs |
|
36,367.5 |
62 |
2.254.785 |
2007 |
Canton Longshoremen |
|
36,234.0 |
96 |
3.478.465 |
2008 |
New Orleans Trendsetters |
|
36,031.2 |
73 |
2.630.278 |
2009 |
Arlington Bureaucrats |
|
35,544.6 |
65 |
2.310.401 |
2009 |
Omaha Cyclones |
|
35,111.6 |
97 |
3.405.829 |
2008 |
New Jersey Hitmen |
|
34,905.0 |
76 |
2.652.783 |
2009 |
West Virginia Coal Sox |
|
34,550.4 |
58 |
2.003.923 |
2008 |
Connecticut Nutmeggers |
|
33,936.6 |
56 |
1.900.452 |
2009 |
Duluth Warriors |
|
33,885.0 |
93 |
3.151.302 |
2008 |
Palm Springs Codgers |
|
33,774.9 |
80 |
2.701.990 |
2008 |
San Antonio Calzones |
|
33,767.3 |
106 |
3.579.332 |
2009 |
New Orleans Trendsetters |
|
33,657.6 |
82 |
2.759.926 |
2007 |
West Virginia Coal Sox |
|
33,648.7 |
90 |
3.028.387 |
2008 |
West Virginia Coal Sox |
|
33,539.2 |
54 |
1.811.117 |
2008 |
Yuma Bulldozers |
|
33,474.7 |
84 |
2.811.871 |
2009 |
Gloucester Fishermen |
|
33,469.3 |
78 |
2.610.603 |
2007 |
Duluth Warriors |
|
32,904.7 |
63 |
2.072.998 |
2007 |
Manchester Maulers |
|
32,554.0 |
106 |
3.450.726 |
2009 |
Palm Springs Codgers |
|
32,441.5 |
65 |
2.108.695 |
2008 |
Kentucky Thoroughbreds |
|
32,405.4 |
87 |
2.819.273 |
2008 |
Charleston Statesmen |
|
32,038.1 |
73 |
2.338.778 |
2009 |
Fargo Dinosaurs |
|
31,843.6 |
86 |
2.738.549 |
2007 |
Arlington Bureaucrats |
|
31,772.6 |
64 |
2.033.444 |
2008 |
Duluth Warriors |
|
31,007.7 |
64 |
1.984.495 |
2007 |
Connecticut Nutmeggers |
|
30,828.2 |
91 |
2.805.367 |
2008 |
Gloucester Fishermen |
|
30,749.0 |
63 |
1.937.188 |
2009 |
Canton Longshoremen |
|
30,745.3 |
96 |
2.951.547 |
2007 |
Charleston Statesmen |
|
30,695.9 |
97 |
2.977.507 |
2007 |
Palm Springs Codgers |
|
30,595.5 |
94 |
2.875.978 |
2008 |
Arlington Bureaucrats |
|
30,427.1 |
80 |
2.434.171 |
2008 |
Florida Featherheads |
|
30,393.9 |
87 |
2.644.265 |
2007 |
Aurora Borealis |
|
30,204.3 |
92 |
2.778.794 |
2009 |
Manchester Maulers |
|
30,199.8 |
89 |
2.687.782 |
2009 |
Kalamazoo Badgers |
|
30,119.8 |
77 |
2.319.223 |
2008 |
Reno Tenpinners |
|
30,079.4 |
68 |
2.045.400 |
2007 |
Florida Featherheads |
|
30,040.3 |
81 |
2.433.268 |
2009 |
Florida Featherheads |
|
29,960.7 |
73 |
2.187.134 |
2007 |
Gloucester Fishermen |
|
29,662.7 |
72 |
2.135.715 |
2008 |
Manchester Maulers |
|
29,533.5 |
95 |
2.805.684 |
2007 |
San Antonio Calzones |
|
29,080.8 |
95 |
2.762.680 |
2009 |
Bakersfield Bears |
|
28,999.1 |
112 |
3.247.898 |
2009 |
Crystal Lake Sandgnats |
|
28,871.8 |
118 |
3.406.872 |
2008 |
Crystal Lake Sandgnats |
|
28,851.3 |
52 |
1.500.265 |
2009 |
Yuma Bulldozers |
|
28,487.0 |
102 |
2.905.671 |
2007 |
Crystal Lake Sandgnats |
|
28,448.8 |
100 |
2.844.875 |
2008 |
Bakersfield Bears |
|
28,124.8 |
100 |
2.812.477 |
2007 |
Kalamazoo Badgers |
|
28,024.7 |
61 |
1.709.506 |
2008 |
Omaha Cyclones |
|
27,788.1 |
108 |
3.001.111 |
2007 |
New Jersey Hitmen |
|
27,781.1 |
112 |
3.111.485 |
2008 |
Aurora Borealis |
|
27,681.1 |
98 |
2.712.749 |
2007 |
Reno Tenpinners |
|
27,522.7 |
103 |
2.834.833 |
2007 |
New Orleans Trendsetters |
|
27,453.6 |
85 |
2.333.554 |
2007 |
Omaha Cyclones |
|
27,398.4 |
111 |
3.041.223 |
2009 |
Charleston Statesmen |
|
26,674.5 |
64 |
1.707.165 |
2008 |
Fargo Dinosaurs |
|
26,647.8 |
108 |
2.877.958 |
2007 |
Bakersfield Bears |
|
26,603.3 |
60 |
1.596.200 |
2007 |
Kentucky Thoroughbreds |
|
26,022.4 |
65 |
1.691.456 |
2008 |
Tempe Knights |
|
25,897.8 |
72 |
1.864.643 |
2008 |
Canton Longshoremen |
|
25,392.9 |
125 |
3.174.111 |
2009 |
Aurora Borealis |
|
25,276.1 |
92 |
2.325.404 |
2008 |
Kalamazoo Badgers |
|
25,198.8 |
70 |
1.763.916 |
2009 |
Reno Tenpinners |
|
24,556.3 |
61 |
1.497.932 |
2009 |
Kentucky Thoroughbreds |
|
23,051.7 |
83 |
1.913.287 |
2009 |
London Underground |
|
21,588.3 |
45 |
971.473 |
2007 |
Tempe Knights |
|
21,558.2 |
66 |
1.422.838 |
2009 |
Tempe Knights |
|
21,318.3 |
62 |
1.321.735 |
2008 |
London Underground |
|
19,396.4 |
74 |
1.435.334 |
2007 |
London Underground |