MLB pace-of-play rules affected attendance

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

MLB pace-of-play rules significantly affected first-half attendance

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/12/23

Not everyone was thrilled by the rule changes implemented by MLB for 2023, but so far, they're yielding speeder games and fuller ballparks leaguewide.

Following the All-Star break, MLB announced that attendance is up eight percent from last season, with an average of 28,382 fans occupying seats across the league. Furthermore, 23 of 30 MLB clubs are reporting attendance increases.

In another promising sign for baseball, the game is attracting younger eyes. According to MLB, the median age of a ticket buyer this season is 43 years old, down from 49 in 2019.

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

The positive numbers have to excite MLB, especially after seeing more than half the league take a hit in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, 10 percent of the league averaged fewer than 20,000 fans per game. This season, only five teams rank below that mark, with the Detroit Tigers (19,888) and Pittsburgh Pirates (19,324) on the cusp of topping it. Meanwhile, four clubs, the Los Angeles Dodgers (48,200), St. Louis Cardinals (41,439), New York Yankees (41,033) and San Diego Padres (40,378), are averaging more than 40,000 fans a game.

While players may have differing opinions on the rules to quicken play, fans are showing they might prefer a breezier baseball experience. However, that might change once playoff time arrives. This week, commissioner Rob Manfred said baseball might do away with the pitch clock during the postseason, allowing those October moments to breathe. But baseball fans will have to wait and see whether or not that comes to fruition.

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