Early attendance shows the reincarnation of the Tucson Toros is a hit.
Six weeks into the season, the team leads the independent Golden Baseball League in attendance with 66,925 fans in 16 home games for an average of 4,182 at Hi Corbett Field. The Victoria Seals ranked second with a 2,161 average before Friday's games.
Several factors contribute to the Toros' fortunes at the turnstile — the central location of Hi Corbett, curiosity about the new team, a cheaper ticket price and a shorter season.
Last season, the Triple-A Tucson Sidewinders averaged 3,552 fans, last in the Pacific Coast League, before moving from Tucson Electric Park to Reno, Nev. The team typically drew poorly during April because children were still in school and fans suffered from "baseball burnout" after spring training, former team owner Jay Zucker said. The Toros' season began May 21 and concludes Aug. 31.
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"Our season never really took off until June, and this league and the Toros mirror that peak time of baseball attendance," said Zucker, the Toros owner.
The number of Toros season ticket holders is more than 20 percent greater than Sidewinders season ticket holders, Zucker said, but he declined to disclose either number.
"I enjoy these folks as much if not more than the other guys," said Toros fan Gary Josselyn, 57, of Tucson. "They're hungry and want to be somebody. They provide better entertainment."
Sidewinders games showcased up-and-coming prospects and big-leaguers on rehab stints, while the independent Toros have former major-leaguers and minor-leaguers on the roster.
"We like any baseball," said Richard Czech, 76, of Tucson.
Fans of the former Toros — who played at Hi Corbett from 1969-97 in Triple-A — also have turned out to glimpse the new squad.
"I grew up coming to the stadium," said John Flannery, 53, of Tucson. "I like the promotions. You can't beat the price."
General admission tickets cost $5, a dollar less than at Sidewinders games. Thirsty Thursdays ($1 beer and other drinks) and Fireworks Fridays have drawn the biggest crowds, with the largest attendance of 7,683 on June 19.
Today's game, followed by a fireworks show, could draw the season's biggest crowd.
"We've had a lot of big crowds that have been supportive," outfielder Curt Miaso said. "Whether we're winning or losing, they always seem to hang around and show their support."
Zucker hopes the Toros can draw 170,000 fans in 41 home games, including three exhibition games added after Tijuana canceled its season because of swine flu concerns, cutting six home games from the Toros schedule.
"I believe Tijuana would have helped us get closer to the 200,000 mark," Zucker said, adding that Tijuana might rejoin the league next season. "We were looking forward to Tijuana as one of our primary rivalries."
Inside pitch
• Dustin Yount went 4 for 5 with a two homers as the Toros defeated the host Victoria Seals 10-8 Friday night.
THE NUMBERS
Attendance (excluding exhibition games)
• Toros average this season: 4,182
• Season-high crowd: 7,683
• Season-low crowd: 986
• Average for Sidewinders in 2008: 3,552
• Average for Sidewinders in May 2008 (16 games): 2,970
• Average for Toros in May 2009 (7 games): 4,534
• Average for Sidewinders in June 2008 (13 games): 3,081
• Average for Toros in June 2009 (9 games): 3,909
