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How to increase attendance at Major League Baseball games

By Tyson Crocker

DENVER, CO - MAY 09: Ballpark seats await the fans to watch the Arizona Diamondbacks face the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 09, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 10-5. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - MAY 09: Ballpark seats await the fans to watch the Arizona Diamondbacks face the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 09, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 10-5. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 22: General view of action between the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox as Hispanic Heritage Night is celebrated during a game at Great American Ball Park on September 22, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Red Sox defeated the Reds 5-4. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 22: General view of action between the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox as Hispanic Heritage Night is celebrated during a game at Great American Ball Park on September 22, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Red Sox defeated the Reds 5-4. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

3. International reach

Baseball is America’s pastime, but there’s no denying the international aspect of this great game.

According to SABR.org 36.7% of Major League Baseball is non-white, compared to less than 2% in 1947. Some of the greatest players in the history of the game have been minorities and they are not appreciated enough.

I understand that some cities, like Kansas City and St. Louis, have done great tributes to Negro League players, but I think really honoring the great Latin, Asian, and African-American players could bring wonders to the game.

I’m definitely not saying that teams fail to honor these players and leagues … but if teams and stadiums could turn it up a few notches, I really believe the diversity of crowds would increase and the shear number of fans would increase.

Even teams with not much history (like the Rockies and Diamondbacks) have had some unbelievable African-American and Latin players on their rosters. If Major League Baseball had league-wide Negro League and Latin American nights with historical exhibits set up around the park with early entry, the growth and knowledge of the game would easily expand beyond just the hardcore baseball fans.

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I also understand that baseball does have a Hispanic Heritage Night late in September, but I think the league can do much better than just making T-shirts with an accent over the MLB logo. I’m talking special uniforms, hats, patches and celebrating the unbelievable influence that minorities have had on the game of baseball, and celebrating it. That is the least that baseball could do.

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