Average attendance rises in major leagues

Major League Baseball attendance climbed to its highest level since the 2008 season.

Teams averaged 30,895 fans per game during the 2012 regular season that ended Wednesday, an 1.8 percent increase from last year.

Leading the way were the Miami Marlins with a 44 percent rise in attendance after their move from Sun Life Stadium to Marlins Park. They were followed by three playoff-bound teams -- Washington Nationals (21 percent), Baltimore Orioles (21 percent) and Texas Rangers (17 percent).

The Philadelphia Phillies ranked No. 1 in average attendance with 44,021 fans per game.

The Houston Astros showed the sharpest decline among 16 teams whose attendance decreased, falling 22 percent during a 100-loss season.