Major League Baseball having good year

NEW YORK, July 21 (UPI) -- Despite the distractions, Major League Baseball is having one of the best of times, with rising attendance and strong broadcast rights deals.

Attendance is at record levels, revenue continues fat and climbing and there are new enriching television, radio and Internet deals, The Washington Times says. Even the ongoing steroid investigations haven't dampened baseball's boom year.

Only four teams -- the Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins, Oakland Athletics and Washington Nationals -- have seen attendance drop by more than 10 percent.

Furthermore, competition is fierce, with 20 of MLB's 30 teams within six games of a division or wild-card leader. Only the New York Mets have a commanding lead in their division.