Orioles achieve their second-highest attendance total for Spring Training baseball games in Sarasota

Only the 2013 figure was higher, the team says

The Orioles play the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium in 2013. File photo

With a March 30 crowd of 6,900 for this season’s Spring Training finale at Ed Smith Stadium, the Baltimore Orioles drew a total of 119,742 fans for 17 home games in Sarasota, the second-highest spring attendance in club history, the team has announced.

The figure is behind only the 120,455 mark set in 2013, a news release points out. Since the Orioles moved their Major League operations to Sarasota, 885,055 fans have enjoyed their Spring Training baseball games at Ed Smith Stadium, the release adds.

“The Orioles had six consecutive sellouts from March 16 to March 27, helping the club to finish among the best in attendance in the Grapefruit League this spring,” the release says. The Orioles ranked third highest in ballpark capacity percentage at 94% (as of data available on March 26), the release adds. “On average, the club welcomed 7,044 people per game,” the release points out.

“The Orioles are proud to continue performing among the top ball clubs in Grapefruit League attendance,” said David Rovine, vice president of Orioles-Sarasota, in the release. “Each spring we enjoy outstanding support from Sarasota area fans and from the tens of thousands of fans who travel to Spring Training,” he continued in the release. “The support from our fans not only helps cheer on the team, but is also a vital factor driving 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 first-class destinations for baseball and entertainment — from Spring Training, Orioles Major and Minor League operations, and Gulf Coast League Baseball, to countless clinics, tournaments, and other baseball, arts, and community events each year,” he added in the release.

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