Crossword Genius

Almost catch ball in the stadium watching the game (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

attendance

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the game' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'almost catch ball in the stadium watching' is the wordplay.
'almost' means to remove the first letter.
'catch' becomes 'rat' (ratting is a kind of catching).
'ball in the stadium watching' becomes 'tendance' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'rat' with its first letter taken away is 'at'.
'at'+'tendance'='ATTENDANCE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for attendance that I've seen before include "how many are watching?" , "Number at gathering" , "People present" , "Act of being present" , "Service" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.
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