With today's crowd of 5,441 for the final home game of Orioles Spring Training at Ed Smith Stadium in 2016, the Orioles have drawn a total of 119,029 fans for 16 home games in Sarasota this season, including a club record 11 home sellouts. This marks the second-highest attendance for an Orioles Spring Training in franchise history. Since moving its Major League operations to Sarasota, 765,313 fans have enjoyed Orioles Spring Training baseball at Ed Smith Stadium.
The Orioles set a franchise record with 11 sellouts this spring, including five consecutive sellouts from March 8 to March 16. This year, the club continued to draw large crowds with an average per game attendance of 7,439.
"As another successful Orioles Spring Training season comes to a close here in Sarasota, we thank our fans for their outstanding support," said DAVID ROVINE, Vice President of Orioles-Sarasota. "Our fans continue to set franchise records each season while helping to drive tremendous economic impact in the Greater Sarasota area. We are proud that our facilities at Ed Smith Stadium and Twin Lakes Park continue to thrive as a first-class destination for baseball - from Spring Training, Orioles Major and Minor League operations, and Gulf Coast League Baseball, to countless clinics, tournaments, and other baseball events each year."
Whether hosting youth activities, participating in charitable causes or partnering in efforts to boost the local economy, the Orioles are active in Sarasota County all year long, proving that their commitment to the club's southern home goes far beyond baseball. An economic impact analysis by Sarasota County Government concluded that the Orioles' corporate presence through Spring Training and year-round baseball activities, as well as the club's promotion of entertainment and tourism, generated approximately $81 million in the Greater Sarasota community in the past year. For more information, or to sign up for the Orioles in Sarasota e-newsletter, please visit www.orioles.com/sarasota.