DEL.ICIO.USAJC TRAVEL NEWS
Swing down to Florida to see baseball early
For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sunday, February 22, 2009
I drove down to Florida with my father for my first spring training experience in 1983, and I’ve been back practically every year since. What’s not to like: Watching the action in intimate stadiums? The modest prices? Better access to today’s and tomorrow’s stars?
Planning a spring training trip is as simple as connecting the dots. It doesn’t take an Excel spreadsheet to come up with at least a game a day within easy driving distance once you’re in Florida. Stadiums are clustered around the middle part of the state, on both coasts and in between, so it’s easy to take in several on a single trip.
CELE SELDON / AJC Special
Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees, is a favorite stop in the Grapefruit League. Games featuring the Yankees or the Boston Red Sox are always a tough ticket.
CELE SELDON / AJC Special
Spring training baseball at Legends Field, Tampa, Fl. Spring training proper lasts about 50 days, with actual Grapefruit League games (about 300 of them) taking place from late February to early April.
CELE SELDON / AJC Special
Spring training baseball, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. This year, there will be 16 teams playing at 15 stadiums.
CELE SELDON / AJC Special
Kids getting autographs at spring training baseball, Melbourne, Fla. Stadiums are clustered together in Florida, meaning a game is always nearby. Melbourne, where this game was played, isn’t all that far from the Atlanta Braves’ home base in Lake Buena Vista.
Weekend in Orlando
Florida travel stories
- Photos: Travel / Southeast Galleries
- Latest deals!
- Back to: Travel | Southeast destinations
A little history
Spring training first came to Florida in 1888, when the Washington Senators played in Jacksonville. By 1914, a group of teams had made Florida their spring home, and several Florida cities have now hosted spring training for 50 years.
Last year, more than 1.6 million people watched 18 Grapefruit League teams at 17 locations.
This year, there will be 16 teams playing at 15 stadiums. After long tenures, the Los Angeles Dodgers left Vero Beach and the Cleveland Indians left Winter Haven for new digs in Arizona as part of the Cactus League.
A lot of baseball
Spring training proper lasts about 50 days, with actual Grapefruit League games (about 300 of them) taking place from late February to early April.
“It’s exciting because it’s a fresh start to a new season,” Braves catcher Brian McCann said. “It’s a time when you know you have a chance to have a good year and compete for a championship.”
This year’s schedule has a little twist in early March, in that several major league teams will play clubs from the United States, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Italy, the Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico and Venezuela as they prepare for the World Baseball Classic.
Most Grapefruit League games start at 1:05 p.m. There’s a smattering of
night games, creating the possibility of day-night doubleheaders at two different ballparks.
Back in 1983, my dad and I didn’t even think about crowds or buying tickets in advance. We just looked at the schedule and showed up at the next stadium for batting practice. Though certain games are more popular than others, it’s still typically easy to get a ticket.
“I always tell folks that for most weekday games, tickets can be purchased on the day of the game,” said Nick Gandy, director of communications for the Florida Sports Foundation. “For weekend games, fans might want to look into purchasing tickets ahead of time. Weekend games, along with any game featuring the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees, are always tough tickets.”
Those from the Atlanta area who want to catch their beloved Braves will find that they’re quite popular at their “home” field at Disney’s Wide World of Sports, which manager Bobby Cox calls “the best training complex in all of baseball.” It’s a good idea to buy in advance to ensure you get a good seat.
Cream of the crop
Each stadium has its unique characteristics, but my favorites include:
• Champion Stadium, Lake Buena Vista. The Braves kick off the spring training season Feb. 26 against Houston at Champion Stadium. Located at Disney’s Wide World of Sports, the complex is being rebranded as an “ESPN” destination. New this season is the opportunity to watch batting practice and pre-game warm-up from behind the plate, theme nights and the chance to dine at an all-you-can-eat-buffet down the third base line. Its close proximity to hotels (Pop Century Hotel is across the street), restaurants and attractions makes this a great place to experience spring training. www.disneysports.com
• Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter. Palm Beach County lost the Braves when they moved to Disney, but the modern venue hosts both the Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals for spring training and is the only stadium that has two minor league teams playing all summer. www.rogerdeanstadium.com.
• Charlotte Sports Park, Port Charlotte. Renovations to this 21-year-old stadium and spring home to the Tampa Bay Rays include a new 44,000-square-foot clubhouse.
Other favorites include
• Lakeland’s Joker Marchant Stadium: a classic place to see the Tigers.
• City of Palms Park in Fort Myers: The spring home of Red Sox Nation.
• Tampa’s Steinbrenner Field: A miniature Yankee Stadium.
• Knology Park in Dunedin: The longtime host of the Blue Jays (and many Canadian snowbirds).
• Space Coast Stadium: The spring home of the Washington Nationals.
Services »
