North Port 'throwing out welcome mat' for Braves

North Port, Fla., will hold a rally Saturday afternoon to celebrate the arrival of the Braves for spring training.

“The city of North Port is throwing out the welcome mat for the Braves,” North Port Mayor Debbie McDowell said.

The free rally will be held from 1-4 p.m. on the City Center Front Green, featuring live music and various activities.

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CoolToday Park, the Braves’ new spring training stadium, also will throw out a welcome mat for dignitaries this weekend, hosting a dinner event Sunday night that will draw MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and representatives of all 15 teams that hold spring training in Florida.

The ticketed event, known as the “Governor’s Baseball Dinner,” is held annually at varying locations around the Grapefruit League to mark the start of spring training. It’ll be held on CoolToday Park’s concourse, Braves President and CEO Derek Schiller said.

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