Touch 'Em All: Spring training crowds down this year
Crowds at spring-training games are down this year by about 14 percent, the Associated Press reported Wednesday, citing totals compiled by STATS.
Crowds at spring-training games are down this year by about 14 percent, the Associated Press reported Wednesday, citing totals compiled by STATS.
Several factors are blamed for the decline, including exhibition games starting more than a week earlier this year before fans had arrived in Florida and Arizona on vacation and spring break.
Chilly weather also led to empty seats, and fans cited watered-down lineups resulting from players' being injured, taking part in the World Baseball Classic, or wanting to rest.
High ticket prices also cut into attendance. Some seats go for more than $50, and most parks charge $25 for good seats.
Big-league exhibitions began Feb. 22 and averaged 5,789 fans through March 12. They started on March 2 last year and averaged 6,703 by that same date, with several teams on their way to setting attendance records.
Puerto Rico ousts Italy
In World Baseball Classic action Wednesday night in Miami, Puerto Rico rallied to beat Italy, 4-3.
The Puerto Ricans went hitless in their first 12 at-bats with runners in scoring position but still overcame a 3-0 deficit to score once in the sixth inning and three times in the eighth. With the score tied and two outs in the eighth, Puerto Rico's Alex Rios crossed the plate standing up for the final run on a grounder to short.
Puerto Rico next plays Friday against the winner of Thursday's match between the United States and Dominican Republic.
Strasburg gets start
Stephen Strasburg will make his second opening-day start for the Nationals when Washington opens the season April 1 at home against the Marlins.
Strasburg went 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA last season before he was shut down after 1591/3 innings. The Nationals did not want to tax his arm in his first season back from Tommy John surgery.
An innings restriction is planned for Strasburg this season.
K.C.'s Hochevar to 'pen
The Kansas City Royals have sent former No. 1 overall draft pick Luke Hochevar to the bullpen after more than five shaky seasons in the starting rotation, manager Ned Yost announced Wednesday.
Hochevar, who is scheduled to make $4.56 million this season, is 38-59 with a 5.39 ERA. He'll be a long reliever and could work back into the rotation, though it's possible the Royals will seek to trade him or offer his release.
- Wire reports