PHOENIX - Two new studies show spring training baseball contributes $632 million annually to Arizona's economy.
The studies released Monday by the non-profit Cactus League Baseball Association considers the direct impact of spring training involving 15 teams.
For the first time, the association also compiled the impact of the teams' year-round use of their facilities and the community activities that occur at those facilities the remainder of the year after spring training ends.
One study by Tucson-based FMR Associates estimates $422 million in direct economic benefit to Arizona.
The second study conducted by Elliott D. Pollack & Company examined the impact of the teams' use of facilities during the regular and off-season periods plus events the remaining months of the year. The impact is estimated to be at least $210 million annually.