Photo Credits: WTAE.com
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Headed South
On my way down south to watch some baseball. I'll Tweet photos from time to time and continue blogging when I get back home. Take care and stay warm...
Photo Credits: WTAE.com
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League
Photo Credits: WTAE.com
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League
Auburn Doubledays - NY-Penn League Road Trips
2017 Home Schedule: June 20 - Batavia; June 24, 25, 26 - Williamsport; July 1, 2, 3 - Mahoning Valley; July 5 - Batavia; July 11, 12, 13 - Aberdeen; July 17, 18, 19 - West Virginia; July 20, 21, 22 - Mahoning Valley; July 27, 28, 29 - West Virginia; August 2, 3, 4 - Mahoning Valley; August 8, 9, 10 - Connecticut; August 16, 17, 18 - Williamsport; August 19, 20, 21 - State College; August 25, 27 - Batavia; August 31, September 1, 2 - West Virginia; September 7 - Batavia
Ticket Information: AuburnDoubledays.com
Promotions: Pending
Lodging and Dining: See the Visit Cayuga in the Finger Lakes website.
Team website: AuburnDoubledays.com
Follow on Twitter: @Doubledays
Photo Credits: MiLB.com, auburnny.gov, FingerLakes.com, Ballpark Guide, Finger Lakes Daily News
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League
Monday, February 20, 2017
SpikesFest Coming to State College on March 5
The following article is posted on the State College Spikes website. It gives a description of everything you need to know about Spikesfest.
What is SpikesFest?
Now in its 11th year as the State College area's premier winter family activity, SpikesFest is a giant indoor baseball carnival designed to simulate the experience of fun ballpark activities during the cold weather months. This free event features inflatable games, kids activities, video games, mascot appearances, performances by local entertainment groups, unique experiences, door prizes, ticket specials, and much more!
SpikesFest 2017 will be held on Sunday, March 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Penn State Indoor Multi-Sport Facility, located adjacent to the Bryce Jordan Center. Admission is FREE. This year's event is presented by Mount Nittany Health and media partner WTAJ, Your News Leader.
SpikesFest Parking & Bag Policy Advisory
Admission is FREE for this year's SpikesFest event on Sunday, March 5. Complimentary parking is available in Lot 44, which is located between Bryce Jordan Center, the Indoor Multi-Sport Facility, Beaver Stadium and Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Penn State Athletics Bag Policy will be in effect for SpikesFest, as the event is held inside a Penn State athletic facility. There are no restrictions on bags that may be brought into the Multi-Sport Facility, but all bags are subject to search. Please click here to view more info on Penn State's athletic bag policy.
SpikesFest 2017 Activity List
Check back often prior to SpikesFest for updates on our activity list!
- Free rides on Spikes Inflatables (Bounce House, Obstacle Course and more!)
- Take swings in the indoor batting cages
- Practice pitching skills
- Arts and crafts presented by Center for Arts and Crafts at Penn State
- Interactive games and activities from Discovery Space of Central PA
- Kids activities from Mid-State Literacy Council
- Football activities from Centre Bulldogs Youth Football & Cheerleading
- Pinewood Derby track and cars courtesy of the Juniata Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America
- Soccer activities from the Centre Soccer Association
- Baseball games and activities from the Penn State All-Sports Museum
- Football activities from State College Lion Youth Football
- Info and games from Soccer Shots
- Family fun from the State College Community Land Trust
- Penn State Baseball information table for details on the Nittany Lions' 2017 season
- March of Dimes information and giveaways
- Plenty of open space for kids to run around and have fun!
- More to come!
SpikesFest 2017 Entertainment & Appearances
- Mascot Meet and Greet with Ike the Spike, the BB&T Nookie Monster, LuCKy the Lion, Bob the Baseball Dog
- Special appearance by "Linky the Ambulance" from Centre LifeLink EMS
- Visit mascots from CenClear Child Services
- Performances by the Nittany Dreamers Baton & Silk Corps
- Aerial hammock display from Mind, Body, Art School of Dance
- Check back here frequently for updates!
Silent Charity Auction to Benefit The Mount Nittany Health Foundation
SpikesFest will feature a silent auction of sports memorabilia and entertainment experiences with all proceeds to benefit The Mount Nittany Health Foundation. While the silent auction will feature a number of affordable items from local sponsors and attractions, the charity auction at SpikesFest will also include several high profile items. A complete list will be available as soon as it is finalized.
The Spikes also welcome any community group, sports league, or non-profit organization that would be interested in the free opportunity to distribute information and conduct sign-ups as part of SpikesFest 2017. Interested groups should contact Ben Love with the Spikes at (814) 272-0312 or email blove@statecollegespikes.com. For more information on SpikesFest 2017 please check back with us at this page often, or visit the Spikes Facebook Page and @SCSpikes on Twitter.
Photo Credit: MiLB.com
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League
Hudson Valley Renegades VP Rick Zolzer talks about Renegades Pitch for Kids
Hudson Valley News Network interview with Rick Zolzer, Vice President of the Hudson Valley Renegades about Renegades Pitch for Kids.
Video credits: Hudson Valley News Network, YouTube
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League
Video credits: Hudson Valley News Network, YouTube
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League
New York-Penn League Road Trips! Next up: West Virginia Black Bears
This is the second post in a series about road trips for New York-Penn League fans. The West Virginia Black Bears (2015 NYPL Champions), affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates play their home games in Granville, West Virginia. Granville is a small town next to Morgantown (home of West Virginia University) and approximately 80 miles south of Pittsburgh.
Stadium: Monongalia County Ballpark; Capacity: 3,500 (2,500 seats; 1,000 standing room). Construction was completed in 2015 at a cost of $21 million. Also the home field of the West Virginia University Mountaineers. Beautiful, family friendly environment. Considered by some to be the best entertainment value in north central West Virginia (every game includes Cooper the Black Bear and Pepperoni Roll Races). Take Exit 153 off of Interstate I-79 directly to the ballpark.
2017 Home Schedule: June 19, 29 - Mahoning Valley; June 28, 29, 30 - Mahoning Valley; July 1, 2, 3 - Williamsport; July 7, 8, 9 - Batavia; July 14, 15, 16 - Staten Island; July 20, 21, 22, - State College; July 23, 24, 25 - Batavia; August 2, 3, 4 - State College; August 8, 9, 10 - Brooklyn; August 16, 17, 18 - State College; August 19, 20, 21 - Mahoning Valley; August 28, 29, 30 - State College; September 3, 4, 5 - Williamsport
Ticket Information: WestVirginiaBlackBears.com
Promotion Schedule: Pending.
Lodging and Dining: GreaterMorgantownWV There are two new motels within walking distance of Monongalia County Ballpark (Courtyard by Marriott and a Hampton Inn is under construction).
Team website: WestVirginiaBlackBears.com
Follow on Twitter: @WVBlackBears
Photo Credits: City-Data.com, MiLB.com, WV Public Broadcasting, WVUsports.com
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League
Saturday, February 18, 2017
New York-Penn League Road Trips! First up: Connecticut Tigers
First up is the Connecticut Tigers, affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.
Location: Norwich, Connecticut is known as 'The Rose of New England’.
Game Times: Mon-Sat 7:05pm, Sun 4:05pm
2017 Home Schedule: June 19, 20 - Tri-City; June 21, 22, 23 - Aberdeen; June 28, 29, 30 - Tri-City; July 4, 5, 6 - Vermont; July 11, 12, 13 - Williamsport; July 20, 21, 22 - Brooklyn; July 27, 28, 29 - Vermont; July 30, 31, August 1 - Lowell; August 5, 6, 7 - Staten Island; August 11, 12, 13 - Batavia; August 22, 23, 24 - Tri-City; August 25, 26, 27 - Hudson Valley; September 3, 4, 5 - Brooklyn
Promotions: To be announced. Fireworks every Friday home game, plus June 19 and July 4.
Ticket Information: http://www.milb.com/tickets/tickets.jsp?sid=t571
Lodging and Dining: http://www.ctvisit.com/listings/norwich-tourism
Things to Do: http://www.norwichct.org/index.aspx?NID=9
Team website: cttigers.com
Follow on Twitter: @thecttigers
Broadcast Information: WICH AM 1310; online streaming at cttigers.com
Photo Credits: City-Data.com, MiLB.com, CBS Connecticut
Following the New York-Penn League Made Easy
Follow The Stedler Report on Twitter @1blackbear53. I post on Twitter each time there is something new to read at the blog.
Why the name, The Stedler Report? It is named in honor of Robert C. Stedler, who was the sports editor of the Buffalo Evening News. Through his efforts, the PONY League (later known as the New York-Penn League) was organized with teams located in Pennsylvania, Ontario, and New York. He served as league president from 1939-47.
Friday, February 17, 2017
2017 Draft Order of Parent Teams of NYPL Affiliates
With the start of Spring Training, it is time for New York-Penn League (NYPL) fans to study up for the amateur draft. The 2017 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft will be held on June 12-14 and the NYPL opens play five days later with many draftees reporting directly to their assignment in the NYPL. In addition to the draft, NYPL rosters are filled with players moving up from rookie leagues and holdovers from last season. Rosters in the NYPL are limited to 35 active players, with no more than four players 23 years or older. No more than three players on the active list may have four or more years of prior service in organized baseball.
Fans can watch the MLB draft on MLB network or at MLB.com. Here’s a look at the draft order of parent teams of NYPL affiliates.
First Round Picks
#4 Tampa Bay Rays (Hudson Valley Renegades)
#6 Oakland A’s (Vermont Lake Monsters)
#8 Philadelphia Phillies (Williamsport Crosscutters)
#12 Pittsburgh Pirates (West Virginia Black Bears)
#13 Miami Marlins (Batavia Muckdogs)
#15 Houston Astros (Tri-City ValleyCats)
#16 New York Yankees (Staten Island Yankees)
#18 Detroit Tigers (Connecticut Tigers)
#20 New York Mets (Brooklyn Cyclones)
#21 Baltimore Orioles (Aberdeen Orioles)
#24 Boston Red Sox (Lowell Spinners)
#25 Washington Nationals (Auburn Doubledays)
Cleveland (Mahoning Valley) and St. Louis (Williamsport) forfeited their first round picks because of free agent signings.
Competitive Balance Round A (All teams that have either one of the 10 smallest markets or 10 smallest revenue pools receive an additional pick at the end of the first or second round. Six picks were assigned between the first and second rounds based on a formula that considers winning percentage and revenue. The remaining eligible teams receive a supplemental selection between the second and third rounds. Lottery picks may be traded.)
1st Round
#31 Tampa Bay Rays (Hudson Valley Renegades)
#33 Oakland A’s (Vermont Lake Monsters)
#36 Miami Marlins (Batavia Muckdogs)
2nd Round
#40 Tampa Bay Rays (Hudson Valley Renegades)
#42 Pittsburgh Pirates (West Virginia Black Bears) Compensation for not signing 2016 No. 41 overall pick Nick Lodolo
#43 Oakland A’s (Vermont Lake Monsters)
#45 Philadelphia Phillies (Williamsport Crosscutters)
#50 Pittsburgh Pirates (West Virginia Black Bears)
#51 Miami Marlins (Batavia Muckdogs)
#53 Houston Astros (Tri-City ValleyCats)
#54 New York Yankees (Staten Island Yankees)
#56 Houston Astros (Tri-City ValleyCats) Pick forfeited by Cardinals, awarded to Astros for breach of Houston's database.
#57 Detroit Tigers (Connecticut Tigers)
#59 New York Mets (Brooklyn Cyclones)
#60 Baltimore Orioles (Aberdeen Orioles)
#63 Boston Red Sox (Lowell Spinners)
#64 Cleveland Indians (Mahoning Valley Scrappers)
#65 Washington Nationals (Auburn Doubledays)
Competitive Balance Round B
#71 Cleveland Indians (Mahoning Valley Scrappers)
#72 Pittsburgh Pirates (West Virginia Black Bears)
#74 Baltimore Orioles (Aberdeen IronBirds)
#75 Houston Astros (Tri-City ValleyCats) Pick forfeited by Cardinals, awarded to Astros for breach of Houston's database.
3rd Round
#79 Tampa Bay Rays (Hudson Valley Renegades)
#81 Oakland A’s (Vermont Lake Monsters)
#83 Philadephia Phillies (Williamsport Crosscutters)
#88 Pittsburgh Pirates (West Virginia Black Bears)
#89 Miami Marlins (Batavia Muckdogs)
#91 Houston Astros (Tri-City ValleyCats)
#92 New York Yankees (Staten Island Yankees)
#94 St. Louis Cardinals (State College Spikes)
#95 Detroit Tigers (Connecticut Tigers)
#97 New York Mets (Brooklyn Cyclones)
#98 Baltimore Orioles (Aberdeen Orioles)
#101 Boston Red Sox (Lowell Spinners)
#102 Cleveland Indians (Mahoning Scrappers)
#103 Washington Nationals (Auburn Doubldays)
Rounds 4-40
Tampa Bay Rays (Hudson Valley Renegades)
Oakland A’s (Vermont Lake Monsters)
Philadephia Phillies (Williamsport Crosscutters)
Pittsburgh Pirates (West Virginia Black Bears)
Miami Marlins (Miami Marlins)
Houston Astros (Tri-Valley ValleyCats)
New York Yankees (Staten Islands Yankees)
St. Louis Cardinals (Philadelphia Phillies)
Detroit Tigers (Connecticut Tigers)
New York Mets (Brooklyn Cyclones)
Baltimore Orioles (Aberdeen IronBirds)
Boston Red Sox (Lowell Spinners)
Cleveland Indians (Mahoning Valley Scrappers)
Washington Nationals (Auburn Doubledays)
Photo Credits: Baseball America
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New-York-Penn League
Monday, February 13, 2017
A Look at the NYPL 2016 Attendance Numbers
Back in September, I posted the final attendance numbers for the 2016 New York-Penn League season. Last night, I was surfing the Internet and found a "2016 Minor League Baseball Attendance Analysis" by David Kronheim at numbertamer.com. The entire document is 154 pages in PDF and provides everything you would ever like to know about attendance at minor league baseball games. Kronheim grants permission for anyone to copy, distribute, publish and use any of the information, but asks that credit be given to numbertamer.com. Included in this post are the attendance numbers from the September post, followed by Kronheim's analysis of NYPL attendance for 2016. Enjoy.
2016 Attendance by the numbers (source: NYPL website)
Total attendance fell 107,891 (6.8%) to 1,482,859, the lowest total since 2000. Average per date was down 200 to 2,919, finishing under 3,000 for the first time since 2000.
There were 2 fewer dates played in 2016 than in 2015, with 24 rainouts. 3 teams had gains in total attendance, led by Connecticut. 3 teams, led by Vermont, had increases in average per date. Staten Island had the largest declines in both total attendance and average per date.
Average per date in the New York-Penn League had topped 3,000 for 15 straight years until 2016, after never reaching this level before. Total attendance first reached one million in 1995, and has been above that every year since then.
The league reached a significant attendance milestone in 2013 as attendance since the start of the league in 1939 surpassed the 50 million mark. This league, whose original name was the P.O.N.Y. (Pennsylvania, Ontario, New York) League, has now drawn 55,610,287. 2015 was the 15th straight year that the league drew at least 1,500,000, but that mark was missed in 2016. In 1939, the 6 teams in the league drew a total of 267,212.
Average attendance per team first topped 100,000 in 2001, and has been above that figure every year since then. The league had a 75,284 average per team in 1949, when it played a longer schedule. That figure was not surpassed until 1995. The average per team was below 50,000 each season from 1952 through 1988. The lowest average per team was 19,196 in 1967, the first year this league played a short-season. That year Auburn led the league in attendance, drawing 26,991. Erie finished last at the gate, with a total of 9,988.
The lowest team attendance since the short-season schedule began was 9,474 in 1980 by Auburn. In 1990, Pittsfield became this league’s first team in the short-season era to draw 100,000. As late as 1993, none of the 14 teams in the New York-Penn League reached 100,000. 6 of 14 teams did it in 2016.
For the first time in their 16-year history, the Brooklyn Cyclones did not lead all short-season teams in both total attendance and average per date. Vancouver of the Northwest League drew better. Total attendance fell 22,956 to a team-low 207,702, and average per date was also a team-low 5,614 down 620. The Cyclones have new competition for sports dollars from the Barclays Center, an arena that is home to the NBA Brooklyn Nets, and starting in the 2015-16 season, the NHL New York Islanders. Brooklyn has drawn 4,268,362 in their 16 years, reaching 4 million faster than any short-season team. Spokane held this record previously, and it took that team 28 years to top 4 million. Eugene, OR of the Northwest League hit 4 million in its 39th short season.
In 2002, the Cyclones set the short-season record of 317,124, averaged 8,345 per date, and sold out every game. Attendance also topped 300,000 in 2003, and was above 250,000 each year from 2001 through 2010. In 2001, the Cyclones drew 289,382, breaking the New York-Penn League mark set by Mahoning Valley (206,287) in 2000, and the short-season record of 249,995 set by Portland of the Northwest League in 1996.
In 37 home dates in 2016, the Cyclones drew a higher total than 38 of 60 full-season Class A teams, 6 of 30 Class AA teams, and 9 of 16 Mexican League teams, all of whom played many more home dates than the Cyclones.
Despite the 2016 decline, Brooklyn’s average of 5,614 per date still topped 56 of the 60 full-season Class A teams, 26 of the 30 teams in Class AA, 12 Mexican League teams, and even 10 teams in Class AAA. In their 16 years, the Cyclones have played 589 dates, averaging 7,247 per date. Attendance has been above 7,000 at 375 of these dates. Their season average per date reached 7,000 from 2001 through 2011.
The Aberdeen IronBirds, who are owned by Cal Ripken Jr., had the lowest attendance in their 15-year history. Total attendance fell by 10,688 to 141,070, and average per date was down 185 to 4,031. There were 3 lost dates. In 2014, total attendance fell 39,579, the largest decline of any short-season team, and average per date fell 1,099, the 5th worst NAPBL decline. In 2013, the IronBirds had the worst decrease of any U.S. NAPBL team. (Saltillo and Reynosa of the Mexican League had larger declines that year). Total attendance has fallen by 103,904 (42.4%) since 2012, from 244,974. Average per date is down 2,416 (37.5%) since 2012. Prior to 2013, the IronBirds had topped 225,000 in total attendance, and 6,000 in average per date in all 11 seasons they played.
Connecticut set a total attendance record-high (as a short-season market), for the 4th straight year. Total attendance was up 3,900 to 82,488. Average per date was down 20 from the record-high set in 2015, to 2,291. The Tigers shared Thomas Dodd Stadium with the homeless Hartford Yard Goats, who played 12 of their ‘home’ dates there. The full-season team record in Norwich is 281,473, set by a Class AA Eastern League team in 1995, and the best average per date for that team was 4,201, also in 1995.
In 2014, Tri-City (Troy, NY) set a team record in total attendance for 11th time in 12 seasons. The ValleyCats drew a team record-high 161,171. Total attendance fell 3,845 in 2016 to 149,847, ending a run of 6 straight years above 150,000. Attendance has been above 100,000 in all 15 seasons, has topped 140,000 in each of the past 9 years, and is 44.1% since 2003. The average per date has been above 4,000 in each of the last 9 seasons, and was 4,281, up 12, in 2016.
Staten Island had its lowest total ever, as total attendance fell 33,682 to 85,513, their first year below 100,000. The decline in total attendance was the worst of any short-season team in 2016. Average per date was 2,250, down 971. That was the sharpest decline by any U.S. NAPBL team. Only Carmen and Oaxaca of the Mexican League had bigger per date losses. This was the first time the Yankees averaged less than 3,000. Total attendance is down 123,505 (59.1%) since 2009, and average per date is down 3,654 from the 5,904 average in 2009. The Yankees drew over 200,000 in 2009 and 2010. A plan to re-name the team was put off for one year, so it will be the Staten Island Yankees again in 2017.
Hudson Valley topped 4,000 in average per date for the 22nd consecutive year. (They missed by 54 in their first season.) The Renegades have drawn at least 138,000 every year since starting play in 1994, and have been above 160,000 in 10 of these seasons. Total attendance for those 23 years is 3,613,285 in 835 dates, an average of 4,327 in a park that seats 4,494. Highest game attendance there is 5,601, set in 2015. In 2016, total attendance fell 11,439 to 152,328, and average per date was down 195 to 4,231.
Lowell had tiny declines in total attendance and average per date to their lowest figures since 1997. The Spinners drew 139,943, averaging 3,782 per date. The total was down 525, and the average per date fell by 14. August 31, 2010 was the last game of a 413 date sellout streak that began on August 3, 1999. Lowell surpassed 150,000 for 17 straight years until 2015, and average per date was at least 5,000 for 11 straight years from 2000 through 2010. In 2008, the Spinners were part of a Minor League double-header that drew 36,234 at Fenway Park in Boston.
The Auburn Doubledays had 2,141 gain in 2016, drawing 52,811. It was the 5th time Auburn has reached 50,000 in the last 8 years. In their 58 previous seasons, they reached 50,000 only 6 times, with a low of 9,474 in 1980. Average per date has topped 1,000 for 22 straight seasons, and is up 23% since 2013. Their ballpark is small, with a capacity of 2,800. Average per date rose 19 in 2016, to 1,427.
Batavia has not reached 45,000 since 1973, and has been below 40,000 in each of the last 8 seasons. The only years since 1950 with attendance above 50,000 were in 1970, 1971, and 1973. A full-season team in Batavia drew 67,680 in 1946. The Muckdogs drew 30,007, down 2,214, in 2016, their lowest total since 1987. Average per date fell by 110 to 811, the lowest since at least 1991.
Mahoning Valley (Niles, OH) drew 92,117, down 18,962, with 3 lost dates. Average per date fell 370 to 2,632. 2016 was the first season that total attendance was under 100,000, and that average per date didn’t reach 3,000. The Scrappers topped 200,000 in 1999 and 2000, their first 2 seasons, but haven’t done it since. They have not reached 130,000 since 2005. Average per date was 5,641 in 1999, the Scrappers’ first season, and also topped 5,000 in 2000 and 2001. It was above 4,000 in the club’s first 7 years, but not since.
State College has topped 125,000 in all 11 of their seasons. But the Spikes had their lowest total (125,875, down 1,900) ever in 2016. Average per date dipped 50 to a team-low 3,313. The average was over 4,000 in 2007 and 2008. The Spikes, who play on the campus of Penn State University, drew 6,111 for a game in 2016, the biggest crowd ever for pro baseball in State College. Next door, at Beaver Stadium, home of Penn State Football, the largest crowd was 110,753 vs. Nebraska in 2002. Top 2016 attendance was 107,280 vs. Ohio State.
Vermont had an increase of 953 to 83,955, but still finished below 100,000 for the 10th straight year. The Lake Monsters had reached 100,000 in 12 of the 13 seasons (1994-2006) before that. Average per date rose 89 to 2,332. The average has not reached 3,000 since 2002. Centennial Field in Burlington has a grandstand built in 1922, and has been undergoing a series of renovations. It seats 4,415.
Williamsport drew 60,429, down 3,652. This was the 9th straight year below 70,000 for the Crosscutters, and the lowest total since 1999. Average per date dipped 53 to 1,727, with 3 lost dates. This market has drawn 100,000 only in 1948, 1960, and 1988, when it had full-season teams. The New York-Penn League Crosscutters began play in 1994, and averaged at least 2,000 per date only from 2002 through 2005.
The West Virginia Black Bears replaced the Jamestown Jammers for the 2015 season. They play in Granville, which is right next to the campus of West Virginia University in Morgantown, and share their ballpark with the WVU baseball team. They drew 78,774 in 2016, down 5,022. Average per date was fell 77 to 2,188.
Jamestown played its final season in 2014, and drew just 24,246, the lowest total attendance of any NAPBL team. The Jammers had 6 lost dates. Their average per date of 758 was 2nd lowest (Princeton of the Appalachian League averaged 753) among NAPBL teams. The short-season record-high in Jamestown was 63,069 in 2001. The city’s full-season record-high was 143,016 in 1942. They also topped 100,000 in 1946 and 1949. But the team had not reached 50,000 since 2004.
Team relocations and new parks have resulted in a significant increase in New York-Penn League attendance in the past 24 years. In 1992, the league’s 14 teams drew a total attendance of 684,064, an average of 48,862 per team, and an average of 1,422 per date. The 2016 attendance total of 1,482,859 is a gain of 116.8% from 1992. 2016 average attendance per team was 105,919, and the average per date was 2,919. In 2016, 12 of the 14 teams in his league played in a ballpark that opened between 1994 and 2015. The only teams with an older park in this league are Vermont and Williamsport, whose ballparks opened in the 1920’s.
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New-York-Penn League
2016 Attendance by the numbers (source: NYPL website)
| Team | Total | Openings | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Cyclones | 207,702 | 37 | 5,614 |
| Tri-City ValleyCats | 149,847 | 35 | 4,281 |
| Hudson Valley Renegades | 152,328 | 36 | 4,231 |
| Aberdeen IronBirds | 141,070 | 35 | 4,031 |
| Lowell Spinners | 139,943 | 37 | 3,782 |
| State College Spikes | 125,875 | 38 | 3,313 |
| Mahoning Valley Scrappers | 92,117 | 35 | 2,632 |
| Vermont Lake Monsters | 83,955 | 36 | 2,332 |
| Connecticut Tigers | 82,488 | 36 | 2,291 |
| Staten Island Yankees | 85,513 | 38 | 2,250 |
| West Virginia Black Bears | 78,774 | 36 | 2,188 |
| Williamsport Crosscutters | 60,429 | 35 | 1,727 |
| Auburn Doubledays | 52,811 | 37 | 1,427 |
| Batavia Muckdogs | 30,007 | 37 | 811 |
Total attendance fell 107,891 (6.8%) to 1,482,859, the lowest total since 2000. Average per date was down 200 to 2,919, finishing under 3,000 for the first time since 2000.
There were 2 fewer dates played in 2016 than in 2015, with 24 rainouts. 3 teams had gains in total attendance, led by Connecticut. 3 teams, led by Vermont, had increases in average per date. Staten Island had the largest declines in both total attendance and average per date.
Average per date in the New York-Penn League had topped 3,000 for 15 straight years until 2016, after never reaching this level before. Total attendance first reached one million in 1995, and has been above that every year since then.
The league reached a significant attendance milestone in 2013 as attendance since the start of the league in 1939 surpassed the 50 million mark. This league, whose original name was the P.O.N.Y. (Pennsylvania, Ontario, New York) League, has now drawn 55,610,287. 2015 was the 15th straight year that the league drew at least 1,500,000, but that mark was missed in 2016. In 1939, the 6 teams in the league drew a total of 267,212.
Average attendance per team first topped 100,000 in 2001, and has been above that figure every year since then. The league had a 75,284 average per team in 1949, when it played a longer schedule. That figure was not surpassed until 1995. The average per team was below 50,000 each season from 1952 through 1988. The lowest average per team was 19,196 in 1967, the first year this league played a short-season. That year Auburn led the league in attendance, drawing 26,991. Erie finished last at the gate, with a total of 9,988.
The lowest team attendance since the short-season schedule began was 9,474 in 1980 by Auburn. In 1990, Pittsfield became this league’s first team in the short-season era to draw 100,000. As late as 1993, none of the 14 teams in the New York-Penn League reached 100,000. 6 of 14 teams did it in 2016.
For the first time in their 16-year history, the Brooklyn Cyclones did not lead all short-season teams in both total attendance and average per date. Vancouver of the Northwest League drew better. Total attendance fell 22,956 to a team-low 207,702, and average per date was also a team-low 5,614 down 620. The Cyclones have new competition for sports dollars from the Barclays Center, an arena that is home to the NBA Brooklyn Nets, and starting in the 2015-16 season, the NHL New York Islanders. Brooklyn has drawn 4,268,362 in their 16 years, reaching 4 million faster than any short-season team. Spokane held this record previously, and it took that team 28 years to top 4 million. Eugene, OR of the Northwest League hit 4 million in its 39th short season.
In 2002, the Cyclones set the short-season record of 317,124, averaged 8,345 per date, and sold out every game. Attendance also topped 300,000 in 2003, and was above 250,000 each year from 2001 through 2010. In 2001, the Cyclones drew 289,382, breaking the New York-Penn League mark set by Mahoning Valley (206,287) in 2000, and the short-season record of 249,995 set by Portland of the Northwest League in 1996.
In 37 home dates in 2016, the Cyclones drew a higher total than 38 of 60 full-season Class A teams, 6 of 30 Class AA teams, and 9 of 16 Mexican League teams, all of whom played many more home dates than the Cyclones.
Despite the 2016 decline, Brooklyn’s average of 5,614 per date still topped 56 of the 60 full-season Class A teams, 26 of the 30 teams in Class AA, 12 Mexican League teams, and even 10 teams in Class AAA. In their 16 years, the Cyclones have played 589 dates, averaging 7,247 per date. Attendance has been above 7,000 at 375 of these dates. Their season average per date reached 7,000 from 2001 through 2011.
The Aberdeen IronBirds, who are owned by Cal Ripken Jr., had the lowest attendance in their 15-year history. Total attendance fell by 10,688 to 141,070, and average per date was down 185 to 4,031. There were 3 lost dates. In 2014, total attendance fell 39,579, the largest decline of any short-season team, and average per date fell 1,099, the 5th worst NAPBL decline. In 2013, the IronBirds had the worst decrease of any U.S. NAPBL team. (Saltillo and Reynosa of the Mexican League had larger declines that year). Total attendance has fallen by 103,904 (42.4%) since 2012, from 244,974. Average per date is down 2,416 (37.5%) since 2012. Prior to 2013, the IronBirds had topped 225,000 in total attendance, and 6,000 in average per date in all 11 seasons they played.
Connecticut set a total attendance record-high (as a short-season market), for the 4th straight year. Total attendance was up 3,900 to 82,488. Average per date was down 20 from the record-high set in 2015, to 2,291. The Tigers shared Thomas Dodd Stadium with the homeless Hartford Yard Goats, who played 12 of their ‘home’ dates there. The full-season team record in Norwich is 281,473, set by a Class AA Eastern League team in 1995, and the best average per date for that team was 4,201, also in 1995.
In 2014, Tri-City (Troy, NY) set a team record in total attendance for 11th time in 12 seasons. The ValleyCats drew a team record-high 161,171. Total attendance fell 3,845 in 2016 to 149,847, ending a run of 6 straight years above 150,000. Attendance has been above 100,000 in all 15 seasons, has topped 140,000 in each of the past 9 years, and is 44.1% since 2003. The average per date has been above 4,000 in each of the last 9 seasons, and was 4,281, up 12, in 2016.
Staten Island had its lowest total ever, as total attendance fell 33,682 to 85,513, their first year below 100,000. The decline in total attendance was the worst of any short-season team in 2016. Average per date was 2,250, down 971. That was the sharpest decline by any U.S. NAPBL team. Only Carmen and Oaxaca of the Mexican League had bigger per date losses. This was the first time the Yankees averaged less than 3,000. Total attendance is down 123,505 (59.1%) since 2009, and average per date is down 3,654 from the 5,904 average in 2009. The Yankees drew over 200,000 in 2009 and 2010. A plan to re-name the team was put off for one year, so it will be the Staten Island Yankees again in 2017.
Hudson Valley topped 4,000 in average per date for the 22nd consecutive year. (They missed by 54 in their first season.) The Renegades have drawn at least 138,000 every year since starting play in 1994, and have been above 160,000 in 10 of these seasons. Total attendance for those 23 years is 3,613,285 in 835 dates, an average of 4,327 in a park that seats 4,494. Highest game attendance there is 5,601, set in 2015. In 2016, total attendance fell 11,439 to 152,328, and average per date was down 195 to 4,231.
Lowell had tiny declines in total attendance and average per date to their lowest figures since 1997. The Spinners drew 139,943, averaging 3,782 per date. The total was down 525, and the average per date fell by 14. August 31, 2010 was the last game of a 413 date sellout streak that began on August 3, 1999. Lowell surpassed 150,000 for 17 straight years until 2015, and average per date was at least 5,000 for 11 straight years from 2000 through 2010. In 2008, the Spinners were part of a Minor League double-header that drew 36,234 at Fenway Park in Boston.
The Auburn Doubledays had 2,141 gain in 2016, drawing 52,811. It was the 5th time Auburn has reached 50,000 in the last 8 years. In their 58 previous seasons, they reached 50,000 only 6 times, with a low of 9,474 in 1980. Average per date has topped 1,000 for 22 straight seasons, and is up 23% since 2013. Their ballpark is small, with a capacity of 2,800. Average per date rose 19 in 2016, to 1,427.
Batavia has not reached 45,000 since 1973, and has been below 40,000 in each of the last 8 seasons. The only years since 1950 with attendance above 50,000 were in 1970, 1971, and 1973. A full-season team in Batavia drew 67,680 in 1946. The Muckdogs drew 30,007, down 2,214, in 2016, their lowest total since 1987. Average per date fell by 110 to 811, the lowest since at least 1991.
Mahoning Valley (Niles, OH) drew 92,117, down 18,962, with 3 lost dates. Average per date fell 370 to 2,632. 2016 was the first season that total attendance was under 100,000, and that average per date didn’t reach 3,000. The Scrappers topped 200,000 in 1999 and 2000, their first 2 seasons, but haven’t done it since. They have not reached 130,000 since 2005. Average per date was 5,641 in 1999, the Scrappers’ first season, and also topped 5,000 in 2000 and 2001. It was above 4,000 in the club’s first 7 years, but not since.
State College has topped 125,000 in all 11 of their seasons. But the Spikes had their lowest total (125,875, down 1,900) ever in 2016. Average per date dipped 50 to a team-low 3,313. The average was over 4,000 in 2007 and 2008. The Spikes, who play on the campus of Penn State University, drew 6,111 for a game in 2016, the biggest crowd ever for pro baseball in State College. Next door, at Beaver Stadium, home of Penn State Football, the largest crowd was 110,753 vs. Nebraska in 2002. Top 2016 attendance was 107,280 vs. Ohio State.
Vermont had an increase of 953 to 83,955, but still finished below 100,000 for the 10th straight year. The Lake Monsters had reached 100,000 in 12 of the 13 seasons (1994-2006) before that. Average per date rose 89 to 2,332. The average has not reached 3,000 since 2002. Centennial Field in Burlington has a grandstand built in 1922, and has been undergoing a series of renovations. It seats 4,415.
Williamsport drew 60,429, down 3,652. This was the 9th straight year below 70,000 for the Crosscutters, and the lowest total since 1999. Average per date dipped 53 to 1,727, with 3 lost dates. This market has drawn 100,000 only in 1948, 1960, and 1988, when it had full-season teams. The New York-Penn League Crosscutters began play in 1994, and averaged at least 2,000 per date only from 2002 through 2005.
The West Virginia Black Bears replaced the Jamestown Jammers for the 2015 season. They play in Granville, which is right next to the campus of West Virginia University in Morgantown, and share their ballpark with the WVU baseball team. They drew 78,774 in 2016, down 5,022. Average per date was fell 77 to 2,188.
Jamestown played its final season in 2014, and drew just 24,246, the lowest total attendance of any NAPBL team. The Jammers had 6 lost dates. Their average per date of 758 was 2nd lowest (Princeton of the Appalachian League averaged 753) among NAPBL teams. The short-season record-high in Jamestown was 63,069 in 2001. The city’s full-season record-high was 143,016 in 1942. They also topped 100,000 in 1946 and 1949. But the team had not reached 50,000 since 2004.
Team relocations and new parks have resulted in a significant increase in New York-Penn League attendance in the past 24 years. In 1992, the league’s 14 teams drew a total attendance of 684,064, an average of 48,862 per team, and an average of 1,422 per date. The 2016 attendance total of 1,482,859 is a gain of 116.8% from 1992. 2016 average attendance per team was 105,919, and the average per date was 2,919. In 2016, 12 of the 14 teams in his league played in a ballpark that opened between 1994 and 2015. The only teams with an older park in this league are Vermont and Williamsport, whose ballparks opened in the 1920’s.
Credits: New York-Penn League Logo from MiLB.com
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New-York-Penn League
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Will a NewYork-Penn League team be relocating in 2019?
Will a New York-Penn League (NYPL) team be relocating in 2019? I hope not, but news out of Malden, Massachusetts may cause some speculation.
Boston area developer Alexander Bok plans to break ground on a new baseball stadium in Malden later this year. Plans for the ballpark have been in the works for several years.
BaseballparkDigest reported on February 8, 2017, that Bok is hoping to bring a minor league team to Malden. Previously, Bok had talked about using the facility for a team in the independent Atlantic League.
The new plan would require the approval of the Boston Red Sox and Minor League Baseball. Bok was quoted in local Malden news reports that there are several owners in the New England region interested in selling a club to him. Malden is located 9 miles from Fenway Park and 28 miles from LeLacheur Park, home of the Lowell Spinners of the NYPL. I would think that both the Red Sox and Spinners would have concerns about another professional baseball team located so close.
Could there be interest in relocating one of NYPL franchises currently for sale to Malden?
There are currently three NYPL teams for sale: Batavia, Auburn, and Aberdeen. Batavia seems the most likely to be sold and relocated. Here’s some background on each team’s situation.
Aberdeen Ironbirds: Back on September 16, 2016, the Baltimore Sun reported that the Ripken brothers were interested in selling a majority interest in the Ironbirds, to focus on their youth baseball initiatives. Since the Ripken’s would remain minority owners, it is unlikely that the Ironbirds would leave Aberdeen.
Auburn Doubledays: The city of Auburn owns the Doubledays. Back in October, 2016, they hired an advisor to help find a buyer who is committed to keeping the franchise in Auburn. The team is reportedly valued at $6 million. Founded in 1957, the team has been a member of the NYPL since 1958. The city took over the team and assumed its debt in 1982 (it was managed by the non-profit Auburn Community Baseball until the recent reorganization). The city advanced an $80,000 line of credit to the team in 2016. In January, 2017, a limited liability corporation was formed to be the manager and operator of the team on behalf of the city. Also in January, the Auburn City Council authorized a $150,000 interest-free loan to the Doubledays. Auburn attendance has increased by 23% over the past three years, averaging 1,427 fans during their 37 home dates in 2016. Their player development contract with the Washington Nationals runs through 2018.
Batavia Muckdogs: Except for 1960, there has been a minor league baseball franchise in Batavia every year since 1939. The Muckdogs were almost sold and relocated last year to a group in Waldorf, Maryland. The sale fell through when they were not granted permission to relocate from the leagues and teams (AA Eastern League, A Carolina League, Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles) that have territorial rights in Waldorf. The Rochester Red Wings (of the AAA International League) operate the Muckdogs. Batavia's attendance has been at or near the bottom of the NYPL over the last several years and averaged only 811 fans during their 37 home dates in 2016. The Muckdogs player development contract with the Miami Marlins expires in 2018.
There have been many relocations in the NYPL since the league was formed in 1939. Only two teams from the 1990 season are still in place - Auburn and Batavia. Every other team from that season has since relocated. The most recent team to relocate was the Jamestown (NY) Jammers (in 2015), who are now the West Virginia Black Bears. The Black Bears play in a beautiful new ballpark and have strong fan support.
I wish Mr. Bok the best of luck with his ballpark project, but I hope that the NYPL teams in Auburn and Batavia stay put. Both cities have rich baseball histories. Minor league baseball belongs in both cities. But Auburn and Batavia are on my road trip list for 2017, just in case it doesn't work out.
Photo credits: greaterbostonballpark.com, Malden Field of Dreams
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New-York-Penn League
Boston area developer Alexander Bok plans to break ground on a new baseball stadium in Malden later this year. Plans for the ballpark have been in the works for several years.
BaseballparkDigest reported on February 8, 2017, that Bok is hoping to bring a minor league team to Malden. Previously, Bok had talked about using the facility for a team in the independent Atlantic League.
The new plan would require the approval of the Boston Red Sox and Minor League Baseball. Bok was quoted in local Malden news reports that there are several owners in the New England region interested in selling a club to him. Malden is located 9 miles from Fenway Park and 28 miles from LeLacheur Park, home of the Lowell Spinners of the NYPL. I would think that both the Red Sox and Spinners would have concerns about another professional baseball team located so close.
Could there be interest in relocating one of NYPL franchises currently for sale to Malden?
There are currently three NYPL teams for sale: Batavia, Auburn, and Aberdeen. Batavia seems the most likely to be sold and relocated. Here’s some background on each team’s situation.
Aberdeen Ironbirds: Back on September 16, 2016, the Baltimore Sun reported that the Ripken brothers were interested in selling a majority interest in the Ironbirds, to focus on their youth baseball initiatives. Since the Ripken’s would remain minority owners, it is unlikely that the Ironbirds would leave Aberdeen.
Auburn Doubledays: The city of Auburn owns the Doubledays. Back in October, 2016, they hired an advisor to help find a buyer who is committed to keeping the franchise in Auburn. The team is reportedly valued at $6 million. Founded in 1957, the team has been a member of the NYPL since 1958. The city took over the team and assumed its debt in 1982 (it was managed by the non-profit Auburn Community Baseball until the recent reorganization). The city advanced an $80,000 line of credit to the team in 2016. In January, 2017, a limited liability corporation was formed to be the manager and operator of the team on behalf of the city. Also in January, the Auburn City Council authorized a $150,000 interest-free loan to the Doubledays. Auburn attendance has increased by 23% over the past three years, averaging 1,427 fans during their 37 home dates in 2016. Their player development contract with the Washington Nationals runs through 2018.
Batavia Muckdogs: Except for 1960, there has been a minor league baseball franchise in Batavia every year since 1939. The Muckdogs were almost sold and relocated last year to a group in Waldorf, Maryland. The sale fell through when they were not granted permission to relocate from the leagues and teams (AA Eastern League, A Carolina League, Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles) that have territorial rights in Waldorf. The Rochester Red Wings (of the AAA International League) operate the Muckdogs. Batavia's attendance has been at or near the bottom of the NYPL over the last several years and averaged only 811 fans during their 37 home dates in 2016. The Muckdogs player development contract with the Miami Marlins expires in 2018.
There have been many relocations in the NYPL since the league was formed in 1939. Only two teams from the 1990 season are still in place - Auburn and Batavia. Every other team from that season has since relocated. The most recent team to relocate was the Jamestown (NY) Jammers (in 2015), who are now the West Virginia Black Bears. The Black Bears play in a beautiful new ballpark and have strong fan support.
I wish Mr. Bok the best of luck with his ballpark project, but I hope that the NYPL teams in Auburn and Batavia stay put. Both cities have rich baseball histories. Minor league baseball belongs in both cities. But Auburn and Batavia are on my road trip list for 2017, just in case it doesn't work out.
Photo credits: greaterbostonballpark.com, Malden Field of Dreams
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New-York-Penn League
Monday, February 6, 2017
Bryan Corey Named Lake Monsters Pitching Coach
Corey has been an advance scout for the past two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 12th round of the 1993 amateur draft and played parts of five seasons with the Diamondback, Dodgers, Rangers, Red Sox and Padres. He played in the New York-Penn League from 1994-95 with the Jamestown Jammers when they were a Detroit Tigers affiliate.
Read the entire press release at the Vermont Lake Monsters website.
Photo credits: The Trading Card Database
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New-York-Penn League
Saturday, February 4, 2017
New Logos for 2017 - Black Bears and Spinners
The West Virginia Black Bears and the Lowell Spinners will have new logos for the 2017 season.
Hats and t-shirts with the new logo are available at the team store at Mon County Ballpark or at the online store.
New Spinners apparel can be purchased at the team store at LeLacheur Park or at the online store.
Photo Credits: MiLB.com
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New-York-Penn League
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
New Logo for Lowell Spinners
The Lowell Spinners unveiled a new logo earlier this morning. More details later. Here it is. I like it!
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New-York-Penn League
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New-York-Penn League
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