With First Place on the Line, Will Kansas City Royals Fans Fill Kauffman Stadium?

Royals Fever hasn't quite gripped Kansas City just yet. Hopefully, that will change this week, in light of the huge Royals-Indians series with first place on the line.

The Royals have averaged 17,505 in attendance thus far in the 2011 season. That number includes the Opening Day sellout, as well as all the sparsely attended day games we've seen. Yes, it has still been a little cold and rainy at times, and yes, school isn't out yet. Nevertheless, 17,505 isn't very much. Right now, the Royals are 29th in average home attendance. It's been cold everywhere just about and every other market still has kids in school. Number 30? Those hated Indians at 14,301. Hmm... maybe this is a new strategy?

Attendance was awful for game one of the Mariners series on Thursday, but the weather was partly to blame. Things did pick up a little over the weekend.

The Royals had a very good long weekend, winning three of four against the Mariners. In reality, it is still absurdly early in the season, but there have been enough games that the results certainly feel a little more real. For whatever it is worth, 10-4 is definitely more legitimate than 4-2, or whatever.

Thus, with first place Cleveland riding into town, I'll be more than a little curious to see if there's a little more people in the seats, especially for Game One, tonight.