JACOBS FIELD Indians cut ticket prices after drop in attendance

Opening day tickets go on sale Nov. 28.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- There's no telling how much better the Cleveland Indians will be next season, but they will be a better bargain.
To help offset a drop in attendance, the club has cut ticket prices an average of 5 percent for the 2004 season.
The Indians went just 68-94 last season and drew just 1.73 million fans to Jacobs Field, a decline of nearly 900,000 from the previous year. It was the fewest fans to see the Indians at home since the ballpark opened in 1994.
The decrease
Next year, the average ticket price will be reduced from $23.07 to $21.91.
In addition, the Indians will reward their most loyal fans by offering season-ticket holders who renew a $2 discount per ticket for all 81 games. Also, first-time season-ticket buyers will get a $1 reduction for each ticket.
Corner lower box seats, which cost $25 last season are now $20 and a mezzanine ticket has been dropped from $20 to $15.
The Indians will open the '04 season in Minnesota on April 5, and one week later, they'll play their home opener against the two-time defending AL Central champion Twins.
Opening day tickets go on sale Nov. 28.
Among the other highlights of this year's schedule:
UThe Florida Marlins will make their first visit to Cleveland since the 1997 World Series on June 8-10.
UThe Indians will open the season on the road with three game in Minnesota followed by a four-game set in Kansas City.
U Cleveland's April 12 home opener kicks off a 10-game homestand, the Indians' longest: three games against the Twins, four against Detroit and three with Kansas City.
UAlong with the Marlins, the Montreal Expos and Colorado Rockies will make visits during interleague play.
U The Indians will play interleague road games against the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds.
UBaseball's unbalanced schedule will result in 38 home games against Central Division foes. The Indians open the season with 22 straight games inside the division and end it with 19 in a row.
U The Indians' regular-season finale is scheduled for Oct. 3 in Minnesota.
U The New York Yankees (Aug. 23-25) and Boston Red Sox (May 3-6) will make just one visit each.