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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (March 27) – The Atlanta Braves, who wrapped up their 2008 Major League Baseball Spring Training season today, posted three of their all-time highest crowds at the Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, pushing their overall attendance to the third-highest mark in 11 years.
The Braves drew 138,811 during 16 games at Champion Stadium at Disney - a total that is expected to rank second only to the New York Yankees among the 18 Major League Baseball teams who train in Florida as part of the Grapefruit League. Final numbers are expected to be reported next week.
The Braves played an exhibition game against the University of Georgia along with 15 home games against MLB opponents in 2008, averaging 8,675 fans per game. They finished with a 10-5-1 record at home and attracted three crowds that ranked among the top 15 all-time at Disney for spring training, including the top all-time crowd of 11,606 for the Detroit Tigers game Mar. 20. The other top crowds were the Mar. 9 contest against the St. Louis Cardinals, which drew the 10th largest crowd (11,259), and the New York Mets game, which drew the 13th best crowd (11,082) on Mar. 27. The 2008 schedule included no rainouts.
Disney's Wide World of Sports christened the newly named Champion Stadium before a nationally-televised audience Feb. 29 on ESPN. The celebration began with a pre-game ceremony punctuated by fireworks and a lavish signage unveil, before capping off the day with a 10-3 win by the Braves over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The complex has been the Braves' permanent spring training home since 1998.
Atlanta Braves Champion Stadium Spring Training Attendance at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex:
1998 118,388 / 15 games 2002 121,704 / 17 games 2006 150,465/ 17 games
1999 115,549 / 15 games 2003 124,002 / 15 games 2007 143,310 / 16 games
2000 129,883 / 15 games 2004 136,446 / 16 games 2008 138,811/16 games
2001 123,152 / 14 games 2005 127,542/ 14 games
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