Play ball!
The Atlanta Braves have begun their 2011 spring training season at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista-Orlando, Fla. The sport complex is adjacent to Disney World and the area's many theme parks.
Highlights of the spring season include a March 8 visit by the New York Yankees, and a return to Disney by the Boston Red Sox on March 16. The Philadelphia Phillies, playoff regulars the past four seasons, visit March 27.
The 2011 spring training session, the first with new Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, includes a match-up with the New York Mets on March 5, 12 and 19. The Florida Marlins, Gonzalez's former team, comes to Disney on March 23, while a pair of Washington Nationals night games, March 17 and 28, round out the lineup of NL East rivals headed to Champion Stadium next spring.
One of MLB's most popular teams, the St. Louis Cardinals, visit on back-to-back dates, March 9 and 10, while the Houston Astros are slated to visit the complex on March 13 and 20.
The Detroit Tigers meet the Braves on March 3, followed by the Toronto Blue Jays, March 4, and Mets, March 5. The Tigers return for a night game March 25.
In true Disney fashion, each Braves game features loads of family-oriented fun, including in-game entertainment, Disney character appearances, and on-field fan experiences that combine to create a spring training experience fans can't get anywhere else except at Disney. And in what has become a Disney tradition, kids will again have the opportunity to run the bases after every game.
Individual game tickets for the Braves' home spring training season range from $10-$20 (general admission lawn seats) to $30-$42 (lower reserved), based on premium options, such as the opponent (Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Phillies and Cardinals), weekend games and night games. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster (1-800-745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com) and at the sports complex box office.
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If you want to add the beach to the baseball-themed trip, head to historic St. Petersburg on sunny Florida's Gulf coast.
The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club is offering baseball fans the "Home Run Baseball Getaway" with rates starting at $169 per night.
The swanky hotel is located less than ten minutes from Tropicana Field and regularly plays home base for opponents of the Tampa Bay Rays and traveling fans.
The package includes:
- Accommodations for two
- Breakfast for two
- Transportation to and from Tropicana Field for two
- A tote bag survival kit with ballpark essentials: Cracker Jacks, bubble gum, roasted peanuts and two padded stadium seat cushions
A fine example of 1920s Mediterranean Revival architecture, the Vinoy has earned a National Register of Historic Places designation. The elegant resort features recently renovated guest rooms and is the only luxury hotel on the west coast of Florida with a private 72-ship marina, 18-hole golf course and 12-court tennis complex. On site is a fitness center and an outdoor pool for play before and after the game.
When booking, refer to rate code SPE. Call 1-888-303-4430 or make reservations online at www.vinoyrenaissanceresort.com.
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Clara Bosonetto is a retired travel consultant.
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