Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves

North Port ‘throwing out welcome mat’ for Braves

Braves pitchers and catchers pass a long line of palm trees walking out to the practice fields for the first workout at spring training Thursday.

Credit: Curtis Compton

Credit: Curtis Compton

Braves pitchers and catchers pass a long line of palm trees walking out to the practice fields for the first workout at spring training Thursday.
By
Feb 14, 2020

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.

>> RELATED: Getting to know North Port

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.

About the Author

Tim Tucker, a long-time AJC sports reporter, often writes about the business side of the games. He also had stints as the AJC's Braves beat writer, UGA beat writer, sports notes columnist and executive sports editor. He was deputy managing editor of America's first all-sports newspaper, The National Sports Daily.

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