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After playing for the National League championship last year, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies saw their Tucson spring training attendance spike this year.

The D-backs drew 98,039 fans in 14 games at Tucson Electric Park, up from 94,291 in 2007.

The Rockies attracted 72,550 fans to Hi Corbett Field, an increase from 57,859 last spring.

Cactus League president J.P. de la Montaigne noted attendance at spring training throughout Arizona was up compared to last year.

"The Diamondbacks and Rockies had great seasons last year, so that probably helped," de la Montaigne said. "The weather has been fantastic. Overall, we're very pleased."

The Rockies drew their largest crowd at Hi Corbett — 8,643 fans — on Wednesday in their home finale against the Diamondbacks.

The Rockies' average attendance of 5,182, however, ranked last among the 12 Cactus League teams.

"We're very happy with the turnout," Colorado spokesman Jay Alves said. "It shows interest was there. It was very encouraging."

Rockies fan Jeff Wallner, 55, attends a couple of games each spring and wishes the team would get more support to assure it will remain here.

"It seems the crowds have been better," said Wallner, a Tucsonan.

Attendance for the White Sox remained relatively the same. The team, in perhaps its final season training at the Kino Sports Complex before relocating to Glendale, drew 87,301 fans at TEP, up from 86,397 in 2007. The Sox's average attendance of 5,820 ranked 11th in the Cactus League.

Overall, the D-backs drew 110,894 fans to home games for the spring, counting a crowd of 12,855 for a game in Hermosillo, Sonora. The D-backs' average of 7,393 ranked fourth among Cactus League teams. The Cubs led all teams with an average of 12,085.

D-backs fans John Stoner, 43, and son Jarrick, 16, of Pinetop, attended the team's final Cactus League game on Thursday at TEP.

"We prefer to come to Tucson rather than Phoenix, because it's easier to see players, a friendlier atmosphere," John Stoner said.