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DEL.ICIO.USTake me out to Spring Training
Where do you go to cure baseball fever before Opening Day?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I like baseball, really I do. I just can’t seem to watch it on television. My eyes glaze over, I sink deeper into the couch and soon I’m on my way to Snoozeville. Count on me to catch a nap during telecasts of even the most exciting games. Remember the 1992 National League Championship Series game when Skip Caray screamed “Braves Win! Braves Win! Braves Win!”? Yeah, I don’t. I was asleep.
But take me out to the ball game, and I’m a totally different person. Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks and not only will I follow all of the action, I might even taunt the opposing team’s players. (I won’t do the wave though.) Whether it’s the big leagues or the minor leagues, there’s just something about the crack of the bat, the sights and smells at the stadium that grab my attention.
One summer, my husband and his college roommate traveled to different major league baseball stadiums throughout the country. They would roll into town, watch a game and then head to the next city. American League or National League, it didn’t matter - though they did try to catch the Braves if they were in the area. They spent their last dollar at a Detroit Tigers game and had to make their way home using just his roommate’s gas card. They ate nothing but Slim Jims and chips from Michigan back to Atlanta, but it still ranks as one of my husband’s favorite trips.
You can see as many games and sports stars as they did without putting quite so many miles on your car simply by heading south for spring training in MLB’s Grapefruit League. Opening Day is still weeks away, but as many as 18 different major league teams will begin playing games throughout Florida next week. The Braves’ first game is next Wednesday at their training site in Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. Champion Stadium, where the Braves play, seats about 9,500 and is the largest spring training site in the Grapefruit League.
Other National and American League teams play in locations throughout Georgia’s southern neighbor from Vero Beach (LA Dodgers) and Melbourne (Washington Nationals) to Fort Lauderdale (Baltimore Orioles), Fort Myers (Boston Red Sox) and Tampa (NY Yankees). Each of these small ballparks offer fans a chance to see their favorites up close and in action.
Have you ever traveled to spring training? Where did you stay? Do you have any tips for fans going for the first time? Are the special packages worth it or is it better to just drive down and grab tickets on the day of the game?
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By Sue
February 20, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
Pytha Realty in Cocoa Beach does short term rentals. Stay at the beach and it’s about a 30 min drive to Viera Florda where the Washington Nationals have spring training. Pytha Realty’s number is 321 252-4644.
By DCResident
February 20, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
Baseball is almost dead as a sport for everyone except older men and hispanics. And for hispanics, soccer is their first love. Baseball is dying for one main reason. The sport with the best athletes will be the most popular. Can anyone legitimately say that baseball has anywhere near the athletes of football or basketball?
By DCResident
February 20, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
Baseball is almost dead as a sport for everyone except older men and hispanics. And for hispanics, soccer is their first love. Baseball is dying for one main reason. The sport with the best athletes will be the most popular. Can anyone legitimately say that baseball has anywhere near the athletes of football or basketball?
By we're going
February 20, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
we are renting an rv, and with our dogs are driving down to roger dean stadium in jupiter to see the braves play there. i have family nearby and have gone to games the past couple of years, but this will be the first time we’ve taken an rv.
we’ve always gotten tickets from the box office as soon as they were available.
By Roscoe
February 20, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
Buy tickets online - although by now it might be a bit tough for really good seats.
Priceline a hotel room - it’s high season so nothing’s cheap - even camping. Somewhere around Tampa gets you close to a bunch of teams including the Braves in Kissimmee, the Tigers in Lakeland, the Devil Rays, the Reds and a few others.
Take plenty of sunscreen and a hat - not a lot of big overhangs in many of these stadiums
Be ready for all kinds of weather - frequently nice during the day, cool at night, but I’ve been going to spring training for more than 20 years now and I’ve seen everything from 90+ to “I thought it didn’t go below freezing in Florida.”
Relax - it’s baseball, it’s spring training - errors will happen and they’re part of the fun.
Don’t count on seeing the famous guys every day, especially earlier in March when they’ve still got lots of minor leaguers and rookies they’re trying out.
Come early, stay late - lots of autograph opportunities - especially for kids - if that’s what you’re into.
Relax - it’s supposed to be fun!
By Greg Frederick
February 21, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
Visit www.springtrainingtips.com for tips on all MLB teams
By girls love bb
February 23, 2008 7:12 AM | Link to this
We’re headed to Braves spring training for a game on Good Friday. I rented a 5 bedroom/5 bath house with pool/hot tub for the family - ten of us from 23 - 65. The house worked out to about $75 per night per bedroom and we’ve got a full kitchen. It’s a fairly new neighborhood very close to World of Sports.
My three daughters and son-in-laws all love baseball and go to games in Atlanta 20+ times each season. They live ITP so it’s easy and inexpensive (less than movies) entertainment OUTDOORS.
We’re even being joined by my wheelchair bound sister and her husband (no baseball) so they can head to Disney and Sea World.