The Madison Mallards are about to launch their 15th season of summer collegiate baseball and over the first 14 they’ve posted some impressive attendance numbers.
There are plenty of statistics beyond the turnstiles, however.
With the season scheduled to start Tuesday night (6:35 p.m. at Warner Park against Kalamazoo), here’s a look at some figures from Mallards estimates and Northwoods League statistics.
134,000 bobbleheads
The team has given away around 134,000 bobbleheads as part of game-day promotions. There have been over 100 unique varieties.
1,000th game approaching
The 1,000th regular season game in Mallards history will take place this season. The Mallards are 519-426 all-time, so their 55th game this season (scheduled for July 18 at Battle Creek but subject to change because of rainouts or rescheduled games) will be No. 1,000.
16,000 pounds of brats
During the 2014 season, the team served over 16,000 pounds of brats and over 9,000 pounds of pork butts.
4,578 runs scored
The Mallards could reach 5,000 regular season runs scored all-time this season, but it would take the best offensive output of the franchise’s history. The team has scored 4,578 runs in 945 games, leaving it 422 shy of the 5,000 mark. The best run production in a Mallards season was 418 in 2013, when the team played 70 regular season games. Northwoods League team now are scheduled to play 72 games per season.
3,994 runs allowed
With 3,994 runs allowed all-time in regular season games, the Mallards should cross the 4,000 mark in the first week of the 2015 season.
4,000 cotton candies
Mallards vendors sold over 4,000 servings of cotton candy in the 2014 season.
250 bats
The Mallards said they use 250 bats per season. If you take 32 ounces as the approximate weight of a wood bat, that’s about 500 pounds of wood.
6,834 strikeouts
Mallards pitchers have recorded 6,834 strikeouts, an average of 488 per season or 7.23 per game. The team will likely get to 7,000 strikeouts in franchise history some time in the first half of the season.
9,593 pitches
In 2014, Mallards pitchers combined to throw at least 9,593 pitches in games. (It’s “at least” because records for one game had a questionably low pitch count.) The high for a game was 208 in a 14-inning, 5-4 loss at Battle Creek at June 8.
2,451,056 fans
In the first 14 seasons, the Mallards’ announced attendance adds up to a total of 2,451,056 in 465 regular season home games, an average of 5,271 per game.
1,776 baseballs
The team orders 1,776 baseballs per season. If the average baseball weighs 5.125 ounces (regulations allow for it to be between 5 ounces and 5.25 ounces), that’s 569 pounds of baseballs.
36 games in 35 days
The Mallards are scheduled to play 36 games in 35 days before their first day off of the season. That stretch ends with a doubleheader at La Crosse on June 29.
6 days off
The 76-day regular season schedule includes six days off — three for the July 21 All-Star Game in Wisconsin Rapids, one for the Aug. 4 Major League Dreams Showcase at Warner Park and two scheduled off days.