MLB

Cactus League attendance tops 1.7 million

Apr 5, 2012, 10:51 PM | Updated: 11:54 pm

It was yet another record-setting year in Arizona’s Cactus League.

In 2012, 1,712,042 fans made their way to ballparks across the Valley to catch some of Major League’s Baseball’s best, topping 2011’s record by 7.3 percent.

In total, an average of 7,444 people made it to each of the 230 Spring Training games that took place in Arizona this year.

“Arizona shined this March. The weather played a huge role in attendance this year and the increases in fan attendance tracked early in the month were remarkable,” said Cactus League President Brad Curtis in a press release. “The fans really responded to the game’s heavy hitters helping more teams set all-time firsts for their stadiums.”

The hometown Arizona Diamondbacks retained the title of most-watched team, with an overall attendance of 186,828. They were followed by the Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs.

The team with the biggest increase in attendance was the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who saw a 47 percent increase thanks to the offseason signing of slugger Albert Pujols.

2012 also saw the biggest crowd at a Spring Training game ever, when 13,655 fans piled into Camelback Ranch in Glendale to watch the Giants take on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

MLB

Shohei Ohtani...

Associated Press

MLB investigating gambling allegations involving Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara

MLB opened an investigation into gambling and theft allegations involving Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.

6 days ago

Shohei Ohtani speaks with his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara...

Associated Press

Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter fired by Dodgers amid illegal gambling, theft allegations

Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter has been fired by the Dodgers following allegations of illegal gambling and theft from the baseball star.

8 days ago

Todd Helton...

Associated Press

Todd Helton, Adrian Beltre and Joe Mauer elected to Hall of Fame

Adrián Beltré, Todd Helton and Joe Mauer will be inducted at Cooperstown on July 21 along with Jim Leyland.

2 months ago

Peter Seidler...

Associated Press

San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler dies at 63

San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler, who spent big in pursuit of a World Series title, died at 63 years old.

4 months ago

Luke Keaschall...

Arizona Sports

MLB Draft: GCU’s Wilson, ASU’s Keaschall among Arizona-tied players drafted

GCU's Jacob Wilson, Arizona's Chase Davis and ASU's Luke Keaschall were among 24 players from Arizona schools picked in the MLB Draft.

9 months ago

Associated Press

Yankees’ Domingo Germán throws perfect game against A’s, MLB’s 24th

Yankees' Domingo Germán pitched the 24th perfect game in major league history Wednesday night in an 11-0 victory over the Athletics.

9 months ago

Cactus League attendance tops 1.7 million