New accounting cuts crowd count

MIAMI — Observers from afar have been quick to attribute the paltry attendance figures at Marlins Park so far this season to fans disenchanted with new CEO Derek Jeter for trading away Giancarlo Stanton and other popular stars.

Yes, plenty of fans in South Florida are fed up with the franchise for various reasons. And there is no question having 7,003 for Monday’s MarlinsMets series opener is embarrassing for a major league game.

It was the lowest announced paid attendance since the ballpark opened in 2012, claiming that dubious distinction from the Sunday matinee on April 1 against the Cubs that drew 10,428.

The tangible difference from previous years, though, is in the way attendance is being reported under the new ownership group. A team spokesman said prior to Opening Day that crowd counts would reflect tickets actually sold, and would not include giveaways or tickets deeply discounted.

Attendance under previous ownership was also reported as tickets sold. A wide disparity between the announced figure and fans in the stands was often evident.

There have been a number of games with significantly smaller crowds than Monday’s.

Notably, the crowd at a Wednesday afternoon game against the Phillies last May 31 was estimated at less than 1,600 by the Associated Press. The Marlins announced a paid crowd of 15,197.

So far the weekend and weekday crowds have been comparable to previous years.

The recent Friday and Saturday night crowds during the series against the Cubs were announced at 12,034 and 13,422, respectively. Similar gatherings in the past tended to be inflated to more than 20,000.

Friday and Saturday night games against the Cubs last June were reported as 24,684 and 25,448, respectively.