PHOENIX — Empty seats are peppering spring-training games in metro Phoenix, and some tourism-hungry businesses are feeling the strain of fewer fans so far this season.

The Cactus League has seen a 7.3 percent drop in attendance at 11 spring-training stadiums in the first two weeks of the season compared to the same time last year.

That's despite the addition of two teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Indians, and two new stadiums this season.

League officials caution that early-atttendance results can be misleading because some teams have fewer popular weekend games in the beginning.

The Cactus League is estimated to boost Arizona's economy by $311 million annually, according to a 2007 league study.

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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com