FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: John Yarbrough, Lee County Parks & Recreation, (239) 461-7410 or
              Paul Froehle, Minnesota Twins, 768-4279

TWINS GO OVER 100,000 ATTENDANCE
FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 26, 2003) - The Minnesota Twins spring training in Lee County concludes another successful year today with attendance breaking 100,000 for the second consecutive year.

Attendance at today's final home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates brings total Spring Training attendance at the Lee County Sports Complex to 106,209 fans. That's the third highest attendance recorded since the Twins began spring training here in 1991.

The record of 123,753 fans was set that first year (1991), with 119,920 in 1992 (see the attendance history below). Attendance dropped to 69,245 in 1995 after the baseball strike. Spring training this year runs from February 27 to March 29 and included 15 home games.

Spring training at Hammond Stadium recorded its millionth fan in 2001.

It is estimated that Twins spring training in Lee County pumps more than $12 million dollars into the local economy.

The 80-acre Lee County Sports Complex was completed in 1991. Its main stadium - the 7,500-seat William H. Hammond Stadium - has been the spring training home of the Minnesota Twins since March 1991 and home of the Class A Florida State League's Fort Myers Miracle since 1992.

The complex includes four tournament-caliber softball fields, two soccer fields and the stadium, which has four associated practice fields, 10 indoor hitting tunnels and training facilities. The bonds used to finance its construction are being repaid with a portion of the local 3 percent tourist tax on room charges less than six months, and annual rents from the Twins organization.

Lee County Government wishes to extend its appreciation to the Twins Organization for its continuing partnership and another successful Spring Training, and completion of its 13th year at the Lee County Sports Complex.

Attendance by year: (1991) 123,753, (1992) 119,920, (1993) 90,503, (1994) 100,930, (1995) 69,245, (1996) 80,027, (1997) 89,743, (1998) 90,523, (1999) 85,527, (2000) 99,432, (2001) 90,255, (2002) 102,238, (2003) 106,209.