PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) – When retired businessman Ben Mondor bought an ailing Triple-A franchise in 1977, he was almost laughed out of the park – even before the first pitch was thrown.

But 26 years later, Mondor says he has the last laugh.

On Aug. 9, the 10,000,000th fan entered McCoy Stadium to watch the Pawtucket Red Sox take on Buffalo.

That number was incomprehensible in 1977, when the team drew only 70,354 fans. But attendance has increased so much over the years that Pawtucket has ranked as high as sixth among the nation’s 176 minor league teams. And in some seasons, the team has drawn more fans than a handful of major league teams, including the Montreal Expos.

The philosophy for Pawtucket’s success was established that first year, Mondor said.

“The philosophy we adopted was the fan comes first,” Mondor said. “We decided we were going to treat them to the best baseball possible, with no shenanigans, no cheerleaders, no raffling off of cars during the middle of a game, no cow-milking contests with players on the field.”

Team president Mike Tamburro said focusing on the fans changed how minor league baseball thought of itself.

“What’s made minor league baseball successful at a national level? It’s family entertainment. It was something that was created right here at McCoy Stadium and it began a national trend,” he said.

While the trend in both minor and major league baseball has been to raise prices for everything from tickets to popcorn, the Pawtucket Red Sox have consistently done the opposite.

Today, as always, parking is free. The top ticket price is $8 and children 12 and under only pay $4.

Also, through a series of youth baseball clinics, the Red Sox have cultivated a dedicated fan base.

“It was a way to get kids on the field with the players, not only to learn the game but also to create a following,” Tamburro said.

The park has also instituted certain regulations Tamburro says are consistent with the team’s family entertainment philosophy.

It was one of the first ballparks to limit the number of beers sold at concession stands and in 2000, the park went smoke-free.

When a renovated McCoy Stadium opened in 1999, the Red Sox stepped to the forefront in terms of handicapped accessibility.

Tamburro said the team will continue to cater to the fans and despite its successes so far, “won’t get lazy.”

“When they choose to spend that dollar here, they pay us the biggest compliment that anyone ever could,” Tamburro said.

AP-ES-08-12-03 1951EDT