Orioles Honor One Millionth Fan To Spring Training In Sarasota

SARASOTA, FL -- A retired school teacher who traded winters in Bloomington, Indiana for Sarasota's endless summer on Tuesday became the one millionth fan to see an Orioles game at Ed Smith Stadium.

Diana Love was showered with confetti, balloons and rousing applause as she was randomly selected by the team to represent the millionth fan before the third home game of the 2019 spring training season in Sarasota.

In a special on-field presentation, Love received a $5,000 shopping experience at Diamond Vault in Sarasota and five years of spring training season tickets for two.

“I just want to say how excited I am to be the one millionth person to be here at Ed Smith Stadium," said Love. “I think that it represents what the Orioles have done for Sarasota, to have one million people come here. I am thrilled beyond words.”

Love's husband Mike was also a teacher in Bloomington. The couple has owned a home in Sarasota for 16 years, where they now spend most of their time.

“We are thrilled to honor all of our spring training fans over our first 10 seasons in Sarasota by recognizing Diana Love as our ‘One Millionth Fan’,” observed Orioles Vice President Greg Bader

“We appreciate her dedication to the Orioles and are excited to welcome her back to Ed Smith Stadium for years to come," Bader added.

The Orioles began the 2019 Spring Training season on Saturday with total
attendance of more than 985,000 since moving Major League operations to Sarasota County ahead of the 2010 season. The team is the fastest franchise to reach one million fans in almost a century of spring training baseball in Sarasota.

“We are grateful for the tremendous support we receive both locally and among our fans who make the trip to Sarasota each spring,” Bader said. “The outstanding fan experience we offer, the many attractions of the Sarasota area, and our tourism marketing partnership with Visit Sarasota continue to draw visitors to spring training at Ed Smith Stadium."

Tickets for Orioles Spring Training games can be purchased at the ticket box office at Ed Smith Stadium from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., online at Orioles.com/Spring or by calling 800-745-3000.

The Orioles’ year-round operation in Sarasota County generates approximately $92 million in annual economic impact back to taxpayers and residents, according to an analysis by Sarasota County government.