Baseball Is Dying

[philo98]

Originally Posted by scotgreb

My 2022 perspective on the overall health of baseball . . .

The LLWS was awesome (as usual) -- regionally expanded bracket -- great viewership and attendance.

I attended several high school playoff games. Attendance was impressive. Full venues everywhere I went.

Attended my first CWS regional. Expanded seating at the venue essentially sold out every day. Tickets were bringing premiums.

Attendance weak at my local AA affiliate (only attended one game this year) but late season.

Saw my beloved Bucs a few times at PNC. Experience was as great as ever and attendance was surprisingly strong given their late season standing.

Im a season ticket holder for the Pirates and what Ive found this 2nd half of the year is attendance is strong on Firework or Bobblehead night, but the other games, paid attendance is around 8K to 13K or so, take away the Yankee and Philly series. The actual people that show up compared to paid attendance is anywhere from 50-80%. Some games, there may have only been 1-2K in the stands and the number of foul balls I have got is well over 15 which rarely ever happens. Im not a Pirate fan per se, I just live in Pittsburgh for the time being and I prefer a poor team to get ticket prices cheap and attendance down, but what Im seeing is a fan base that is sick and tired of how the team has been managed. In 2032, it wouldnt surprise me if the Pirates left the city, unless things change soon.