The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Thursday their 12th sellout of spring training, as 11,064 fans took in the game against the Cleveland Indians. The figure put this spring's total attendance for Salt River Fields at Talking Stick at 359,326, surpassing the record set last season at the two-team complex despite having six games remaining.
"We’re very proud to have passed last year’s attendance record thanks to the best spring training fan experience in baseball," said D-backs president and CEO Derrick Hall. "Even better, we’ve got that same great experience and affordable prices at Chase Field, and we are looking forward to closing out the spring on a high note as we head into opening weekend."
With two D-backs home games remaining at Salt River Fields, the team has drawn 184,906 fans. The club’s average spring attendance of 11,662 is the highest in the major leagues.
The complex’s joint attendance this year of 359,326 breaks last year’s mark of 359,308. That number had shattered the previous record for attendance at a two-team complex, surpassing the 2008 mark set in Peoria by the Mariners and Padres (230,146).
Earlier this month, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick was named one of four finalists for Sports Facility of the Year by the SportsBusiness Journal. The winner of the best new facility will be unveiled on May 23 in a ceremony in New York.
Following the 2011 season, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick received the Ballpark of the Year Award from Ballparkdigest.com, Baseballparks.com and Digital Ballparks and was named Project of the Year by ENR Southwest. In addition, the New Times of Phoenix named Salt River Fields the "Best Place to Watch a Spring Training Game," and the complex became the first spring training facility to receive a gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Program.
