(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
MLB officials understood that the game, in order to grow financially and in popularity, needed to reach younger audiences.
They then acted in consequence: with the implementation of a pitch clock, baseball games have been significantly quicker on average and that has attracted younger fans.
In addition to that, the larger bases have dramatically increased action on the basepaths and resulted in more steals, one of the most exciting plays in the game of baseball.
Restricting the shift has also resulted in more balls in play finding gaps for hits and more action on the bases.
These changes have all been well-received.
The league’s communications office reported some numbers on how the game has grown this season.
“Entering the second half of the season, MLB attendance has generated significant gains with the implementation of new rules and a balanced schedule,” they tweeted, with an interesting graphic:
Entering the second half of the season, MLB attendance has generated significant gains with the implementation of new rules and a balanced schedule. pic.twitter.com/mNImSvu0Hu
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) July 12, 2023
Old school fans are more associated with the thought that baseball shouldn’t be a fast sport and everybody should take their time; while modern, younger supporters like quicker paces.
This, of course, has resulted in the median age of ticket buyers to decrease considerably.
Fans, overall, have been more and more interested in the game and that’s huge.
More than three-quarter of the teams (77 percent to be exact) have reported an increase in fan attendance this year compared to 2022.
Additionally, the average attendance to stadiums is up more than eight percent compared to last year’s numbers.
The rise of new stars such as Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuna Jr., Adley Rutschman, Julio Rodriguez and many more has also played a role in this.
Baseball is currently enjoying its best time in years.
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