The home-opening series was a success for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Class AA; Southern League), who drew 41,276 fans over a five-night set. That marks a new series attendance record for the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, which opened in 2003.
Jacksonville’s opening series attendance increased by 57 percent over last season, and has increased by 110 percent over the first two seasons of new ownership by Fast Forward Sports Group. After their game Sunday, the Jumbo Shrimp led all of the Southern League and Double-A baseball, while also ranking fifth in all of domestic Minor League Baseball, in home attendance for the 2017 season.
“This season’s opening series has truly been something special,” said Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp owner Ken Babby. “We are totally humbled and honored by the response from Jacksonville and the fans and can’t thank you enough for making this weekend one to remember.”
Wednesday’s Opening Night sellout of 10,477 was the largest crowd at a Southern League game at the ballpark since July 3, 2012, and Jacksonville’s largest opening crowd since a stadium record of 12,943 attended the ballpark’s first-ever game on April 11, 2003.
“We are elated by the community’s response through the opening series,” said general manager Harold Craw. “We look forward to more affordable family fun with returning guests, while sharing the Jumbo Shrimp experience with first-time guests at each game at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.”
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