St. Paul, Minn. — The St. Paul Saints were named the American Association’s Organization of the Year on Tuesday, as voted on by the league’s managers and media members.
CHS Field, the Saints’ new ballpark in the Lowertown neighborhood, opened to rave reviews from players, front office and media members throughout the season. The 7,210-seat ballpark provided amenities and comfort for everyone who walked through the gates this season, including visiting players.
“On behalf of the Saints ownership and staff, and our friends with CHS, it’s an honor to except this wonderful award,” said Derek Sharrer, Saints Executive Vice President and General Manager, and the 2015 American Association Executive of the Year. “Anytime you receive an award as voted on by your peers it means a little bit more. From our incredibly talented front office staff, to Professional Sports Catering and their hard working team, who’ve helped us entertain and service record crowds throughout the season; all deserve credit and our gratitude. While it may sound cliché to say this has been a team effort, there is truly no better way to describe what has happened in Lowertown St. Paul this summer.”
The Saints were one of the top-drawing teams in all of minor league baseball. They drew 404,528, an American Association record, averaged 8,091 and played to 112% capacity, tops in all of baseball. They were 10th in all of minor league baseball in average attendance (excluding Mexican League teams) and 26th in overall attendance. The Saints played 10 fewer home games than the next team on the overall attendance list, the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. The other teams ahead of the Saints on the overall attendance list played between 65-70 home games. The 53% increase in attendance from last season was second in all of minor league baseball behind the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, who increased their attendance by 62% and also opened a new ballpark. The Saints surpassed their single-game franchise record when they drew 9,960 on July 4. That record didn’t stand for long as 10,430 took in the August 20 game.
This is the first time in the 10-year history of the American Association that the Saints have won the Organization of the Year Award.