MLB average attendance drops 6.7 percent this year

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball’s average attendance dropped 6.7 percent this year with the United States in the midst of a global recession.

The 30 teams combined to average 30,350, the commissioner’s office said Wednesday, down from 32,528 last year and a record 32,785 in 2007. Part of the drop was due to smaller capacities at two new ballparks in New York.

Total attendance of 73.4 million was baseball’s fifth-highest.

“Given these challenging economic times, I am exceedingly proud of the manner in which our clubs have responded,” commissioner Bud Selig said. “The 2009 attendance being among the five-highest figures of all-time reflects the vibrancy and resiliency of our game.”

Philadelphia (3.6 million) and Boston (3.06 million) set franchise records. The Phillies sold out 73 home games, including their final 42, after winning last year’s World Series. The Red Sox have sold out 550 consecutive home games since May 2003.