The MLB season has been off to a great start, at least in terms of fan engagement.
The league saw over 1.5 million fans combine for all 30 teams from Friday to Sunday (May 19 to 21), a six-year high for the league for weekends in the month of April and May, MLB Communications announced on Monday.
Sunday was also the most fans since 2018 for a non-Opening Day before June.
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The most obvious change this year versus the last few years that many -- including sports business guru Joe Pompliano -- are crediting is the inclusion of a pitch clock. This clock limits the time between pitches, allowing just 15 seconds for the pitcher when the bases are empty and 20 seconds when there’s a man on base.
The average MLB game has sped up due to the change with games as of April 26 averaging just over two and a half hours versus three hours the previous season.
Average MLB attendance was up 5% during the first month of the season, according to Forbes, with two-thirds of the league’s teams seeing an increase in attendance.
The effect has shown in TV viewership as well with TBS viewership for the MLB up 63% during the first month of the season.
Some pitch clock detractors have said there are other reasons that have helped the MLB with its positive performance like the full return from COVID restrictions this season, a benefit that has helped other leagues as well. A full season of data should be able to give more perspective on the true value of the change.
