New ownership makes a difference: the Akron Aeros (Class AA; Eastern League) finished the 2013 home schedule with 295,459 fans in 70 openings — the first attendance increase since 2011 and the most fans at Canal Park since the total of 316,836 in 2009.
The Aeros ended up with a per-game average of 4,220.
“The entire Aeros staff is humbled, flattered, and proud of the response and support we received from the great fans and citizens of Akron and northeast Ohio,” said Akron Aeros General Manager Jim Pfander. “From day one when Ken Babby took ownership of the team, the goal was to dedicate ourselves to a renewed effort of connecting with the community. I think the increase in attendance shows people are recognizing Canal Park is the place to be for affordable family fun.”
In addition, despite the cold early-season weather and frequent rain this summer, the 70 openings are the most at Canal Park since 1998, the year after the park opened.
“Our grounds crew led by Chris Walsh and Ryan Olszewski deserve a ton of credit for making Canal Park’s playing surface Major-League caliber on a nightly basis. Because of their outstanding effort, we were able to match the franchise record for openings when the weather normally would have cost the team at least half a dozen games,” Pfander said.
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