Ed Smith Stadium voted top spring training venue in MLB

By Pete Kerzel

Orioles

February 22, 2018, 2:44pm

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In a recent study conducted for USA Today, ReviewTrackers (reviewtrackers.com), a data-mining firm in Chicago, found Ed Smith Stadium as the top venue among Major League Baseball Spring Training sites in both Florida and Arizona. The study analyzed the comments in 36,000 online reviews of the 23 stadiums used for Spring Training, tracking how fans felt about the facility itself, food and drink offerings, and the overall experience for fans and families. The findings are available online here.

In the eight years since the Orioles moved Major League Spring Training to Sarasota, more than 885,000 fans have enjoyed Orioles games at Ed Smith Stadium. An independent analysis commissioned by Sarasota County Government concluded that the Orioles generate approximately $97 million in annual economic impact back to taxpayers and residents. By marketing Sarasota to fans in the Mid-Atlantic region, operating a year-round athletic training facility, producing entertainment and sporting events, partnering with charitable causes, and hosting and often subsidizing youth sports tournaments and activities, the Orioles demonstrate an abiding commitment to their Florida home that goes far beyond baseball. For details, visit www.orioles.com/Sarasota.