Select the image to see spreadsheet with 2010, 2009, and reports for all 30 clubs for each game through May 6 (Google Doc)

UPDATE: An error in reporting a Braves game as being a home game for the Mets has altered the average for Mets, as well as their ranking. The update sees the Mets with an average of 38,154 for 2009. That moved their percentage of decrease to 18.1 percent, and moves them from 28th overall ahead of the Blue Jays and Indians, but last in terms of decline from last season at the time of the report for the National League.

Through Thursday, May 6, Major League Baseball is seeing a decline of just under 2 percent (1.6 percent) over the same period last year, according to research conducted using attendance data from MLB.com and ESPN. Removing rainouts, there have been 425 gates for an average of 28,079 compared to an average of 28,531 over 414 gates last season at this time.

(Select the image provided to see the data this report was rendered from)

Thirteen of the 30 clubs are showing attendance gains, with the Minnesota Twins leading the way. The Twins, hosting their first games in the new Target Field, have seen an average of 38,646 over 13 gates, up 70.1 percent from the 22,726 average over 16 gates in the last year at the Metrodome. As of Thursday, there had been no rain or snowouts in the new open air stadium.

And while there has been the lowest recorded attendance in Camden Yards history this season (9,129 on Monday, 4/12 against the Rays), and a horrible showing in the standings, the Orioles are seeing the second highest increase in paid attendance (18.4 percent) from an average of 20,407 over 16 dates last season, compared to 24,163 over 12 dates through May 6.

In a sign that ownership woes don't matter if the team is performing in the standings, the Texas Rangers see the fourth highest increase in April/early May attendance seeing an average of 26,134 over 15 gates compared to an average of 22,685 over 14 gates last season, an increase of 15.2 percent.

While there have been reports that the Mets are seeing the largest attendance decline in the league, according to BizofBaseball.com research, the Cleveland Indians are seeing the biggest drop in attendance. Cleveland is seeing an average of 14,154 over 14 gates, compared to 20,255 over 11 games in 2009, a decline of 30.1 percent.

The Indians are followed by the Blue Jays (15,208, down 24 percent from 20,014 last season), A’s (16,552, down 17.1 percent from 2009), and Padres (22,052, down 16.6 percent 26,441 last season).

It should be noted that based on the study, the Mets see the 6th largest decline (down 15.1 percent), while the Yankees see the second smallest dip from last season (1 percent) behind only the Red Sox (0.7 percent decline).

NOTE: Most assuredly, the White Sox and MLB attendance decline might actually be different, based on some confusing data. The April 28, 2009 game between the Mariners and White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field has either attendance of 1 (ESPN’s accounting) or zero (MLB.com’s accounting). We include this data as it is what is reported as official attendance through these sources. Should a corrected value surface, we will update accordingly.

To see a complete accounting of MLB attendance over the first month of April and first week of May, select Read More

DaData source: MLB.com, ESPN

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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