Another nice bit of attendance news to pass along: The Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League) recorded their highest regular-season attendance in seven years.
The franchise, in its 17th season, totaled 302,761 fans over 70 dates for an average of 4,325 fans per home game at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The total and per-game average attendance figures both marked the highest the Curve have drawn since 2008. Over the course of the final three home games, played this past weekend, the Curve drew 19,677 fans – including 8,120 to Saturday’s contest against Trenton.
“Our staff worked very hard over the course of the off-season in every aspect of the operation to make the experience even more appealing to fans,” said Curve General Manager Rob Egan. “We held focus groups with season ticket holders and occasional fans, developed theme promotions and giveaways with tie-ins unique to our region, added value with more food, drink, and ticket specials, and brainstormed newer and more entertaining in-game activities. It was great to see that effort rewarded with a significant attendance increase.”
In addition to an increase in overall attendance because of the promotional effort, the turnout among season ticket and mini-plan holders rose dramatically because the Curve turned in a strong season on the field. Even with eleven everyday or key players promoted to Triple-A since Opening Day, the depth of the Pirates’ minor league system has kept the club in first or second place in the Eastern League’s Western Division for most of the season. Entering play tonight at first-place Bowie, the second-place Curve are three games ahead of Akron and Richmond for the Western Division wildcard spot.
“Great credit goes to manager Tom Prince, his coaching staff, and, of course, the players for our franchise’s overall success,” said Egan. “On the field and in the community, our team has been terrific since they hit town in early April. We hope they’ll be able to extend the season and compete for an Eastern League championship.”