The Best Average Postseason Attendance in All of Minor Leagues Belongs to the Atlantic League

Chalk this one up to the Atlantic League.

Its average attendance for postseason games was the best in the United States,topping all 14 National Associationleagues.  The 13 Atlantic League playoff games averaged 4,145 fans, led by a whopping 7,483 on one occasion at Somerset, NJ. Affiliated baseball’s two Triple-A leagues, the Internationaland Pacific Coast, trailed in both total count and average-per-game with the International coming in at 4,100 per opening and the PCL 3,744.  Credit numbertamer.com analyst David Kronheimfor compiling all of the statistics.

American Association Adopts Extra-Inning Rule; Should Majors Follow?

If the major leagues would like to make a dramatic statement to shorten some of their inordinately long nights, they could take a look at the popular international rule that dictates every half inning starting when a game reaches the 11th inning open with a runner on second base.  The Can-Am Leagueadopted the rule in 2014 and only one of the eight games that got this far extended to the 12th inning.

The primary reasoning is it saves overextending bullpens and many fans do not stay for extended extra innings.  The Can-Am’s inter-league companion American Associationhas now adopted the rule for next season.  Eighteen of its extra-inning games went more than 10 innings last season.

Praise for Indy Vets Minicozzi, Raben

We all know that not every player who pulls on a baseball uniform is going to be rewarded with an opportunity to play in the major leagues.  Mark Minicozziand Dennis Rabenhave been in this category so far, but their organizations–two 2014 playoff teams–are heaping praise on this duo, who have paid their dues in Independent leagues.

Minicozzi especially fits into that mould, having spent two full seasons in the Can-Am League (Worcester, MA), another split between the American Associationcities of Winnipegand Kansas City, KS,and even having what is normally called a cup of coffee (four games) in the Atlantic League (Camden, NJ).

The Pennsylvanianative will be 32 next season, but the utilityman had another strong season in the San Franciscofarm system, hitting .306, which was second best in the organization to the .332 of infielder Danny Duffy, who is on the Giants’playoff roster.  Minicozzi drew this praise from Giants VP Bobby Evansvia MiLB.com after a career-high 14 homers, 69 RBI in only 97 games (mostly in AAA):  “It’s a great story and I don’t think the story has finished yet.  I think he’ll continue to get opportunities because he gives you professional at-bats and because he carries himself well.  Because he’s an older player, his opportunities might be limited, but I’m convinced he’ll get those opportunities.”

Raben punished American Association pitchers with 10 home runs in only 23 games at Lincoln, NEin 2013, then started last season in the Atlantic League (Somerset, NJ)before the Los Angeles Angelspurchased his contract and he pounded 31 homers and drove in 94 runs in the California League. 

Director of Player Development Bobby Scalespraised the 27-year-old for both his leadership (with younger players) and his bat, and Inland EmpireManager Denny Hockingtold MiLB.com “when he finally started to hit the ball and get comfortable, he did some amazing things.”

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202 PLAYERS HAVE GRADUATED FROM INDY BASEBALL TO MAJORS

Obtain the Complete Rundown at www.WirzandAssociates.com

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Now Playing in New Britain Stadium?

Choice markets for adding Independent Baseball teams are not easy to find these days, but I would expect to see a scramble in New Britain, CTnow that the nearby Hartford City Councilhas approved a $350-million project this week to build a 9,000-seat baseball stadium along with other downtown improvements which means the Rock Catsare projected to move to the new stadium come 2016.

The Double-A franchise has enjoyed solid attendance at New Britain Stadiumever since the 6,146-seat facility opened in 1996.

(This is an excerpt from the column Bob Wirz writes on Independent Baseball.  Thirty-six columns are planned during 2014.  Fans may subscribe for as little as $6.99 at www.WirzandAssociates.com , enjoy added stories on the blog www.IndyBaseballChatter.com , or comment to RWirz@aol.com .  The author has 16 years of major league baseball public relations experience with Kansas City and as spokesman for two Commissioners and lives in Stratford, CT.)