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Spring training baseball had an estimated economic impact of $810 million for the Phoenix metropolitan area in the past year.

One study released Thursday said the 15-team Cactus League directly brought in nearly $300 million from outside the Phoenix area this year through indirect and presumed spending.

Another report found that baseball's year-round operations and other uses for the Cactus League's stadiums helped bring in about $266 million.

The $810 million economic impact figure is up 29 per cent from three years ago.

The reports conducted by FMR Associates of Tucson also found that two thirds of out-of-town visitors stayed in hotels, motels or resorts during spring training.

About 56 per cent of the visitors rented a vehicle and more than a third took in other sightseeing activities during their stay.

This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.

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