For baseball fans, the wait is almost over. In less than a month, your favorite players will be back – spring training style. So, it’s time for you to dig out those jerseys, find your baseball glove, and start making plans for a Spring Training vacation.
The big question for you is whether to head to Florida or Arizona. That’s an easy one of course – Florida! Florida is where Spring Training started. The World Championship St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox train here. And you can combine a trip to Florida’s beautiful beaches or a touristy theme park with a trip to the ballpark.
It doesn’t cost a fortune to attend a Spring Training game either. Sure, you can pay the big bucks for box seats. But, the view isn’t bad in the cheap seats either. Remember, spring training ballparks aren’t huge. Parking is relatively “reasonable.” And there are plenty of hot dogs, ice cold beer, soda pop, and Cracker Jacks to enjoy as you soak up the warm Florida sunshine.
Fifteen MLB teams train in the Florida sun between March 3rd and April 4th. Here are few of our favorites:
•Saint Louis Cardinals / Miami Marlins– The 2011 World Champions train in Jupiter, Florida along with the Miami Marlins. This is good news for baseball fans. It seems like there’s a game here every day during spring training! Just up the road from West Palm Beach, it’s South Florida’s only spring training venue.
•Detroit Tigers – For over 75 years, the Tigers have been making the trip to Lakeland’s Tiger Town. No other spring training city has had a relationship this long with the same team! The stadium was remodeled in 2003, but still retains the historical charm baseball fans fell in love with.
•Pittsburgh Pirates – Bradenton, Florida’s McKechnie Stadium is one of the nation’s oldest spring training stadiums. It was built in 1923, remodeled in 1993, and been a fan favorite for years. It has some of the cheapest reserved seats in the state. And, more than a 1/3 of the seats are in the shade.
•New York Yankees – Tampa, Florida is home to Steinbrenner Field, a miniature version of famed Yankee stadium. You’ll have to shell out the big bucks here. There aren’t any bleacher or general admission tickets. All tickets are “reserved armchair seating.” It’s the most popular ticket in Spring Training too. We recommend purchasing these tickets in advance.
•Atlanta Braves – Walt Disney World hosts the Atlanta Braves. Tickets here tend to be more pricy, up to $46. But, you get all that Disney magic with the ticket. There’s Disney entertainment to enjoy between innings and night games may even feature a fireworks show.
•Washington Nationals – The Nationals aren’t the best team in baseball, but they do train just 15 minutes from one of Florida’s most famous beaches – Cocoa Beach, Florida. Catch a ball game then stroll down the beach that NASA and I Dream of Jeannie made famous!
•Houston Astros – Kissimmee, Florida hosts a Texas sized spring training for the Astros. It’s a fantastic venue with plenty of covered seating and it’s convenient to Orlando attractions. Plus, you’ll get to sing Deep in the Heart of Texas during the 7th inning stretch.
For a complete 2012 spring training schedule and ticketing information, visit springtrainingonline.com/
Showing posts with label Florida Spring Training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Florida Spring Training. Show all posts
Friday, February 3, 2012
Friday, March 11, 2011
Play Ball. It’s Time for Spring Training! Part II
One post is just not enough to cover all the great Spring Training activities taking place in Florida! So, we are building on last week’s blog and taking a look at a few more of the 15 MLB teams training here in Florida. You still have plenty of time to catch a game. Spring Training runs through the end of March.
• Pittsburgh Pirates – For over 40 years, the Pirates have made the annual trek to Bradenton, Florida for Spring Training. McKechnie Stadium, built in 1923, is one of the oldest spring training stadiums in the country. In 1993, a major renovation was completed, keeping the old-time charm of the original stadium. You can purchase the cheapest reserved seats in all of spring training – just $20. Plus, over a third of the seats are covered to protect you from that warm Florida sun.
• Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles made the right decision two years ago when they decided to move to Sarasota, Florida. Ed Smith Stadium just underwent a $31 million renovation to give the ballpark a more traditional feel. There is even more covered seating, better concessions, and an improved left field picnic area. Parking is expensive at $9 per car. Tickets range from $8 to $29.
• St. Louis Cardinals / Florida Marlins – The Cardinals and Marlins share Jupiter’s Roger Dean Stadium, so you have a pretty good chance of seeing a game every day of the week. Since this is the only spring training venue in South Florida, tickets can go fast. Fans love to spread their blankets out on the berm to catch some baseball and some of Florida’s famous sunshine. Autograph seekers will want to head down to the first and third base lines – these ball players are more than willing to give their biggest fans a souvenir they will never forget. Ticket range from $8 to $35. Parking is $7.
• Philadelphia Phillies - There is no doubt that you are in Florida as you enter Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater. Dozens of palm trees greet you as you walk up to the stadium. With not a bad seat in the house, fans get to take in this World Series Championship team while munching on Philly Cheesesteaks and downing a few glasses of Yuengling. For a real tropical feel, stop by their famous Tiki Bar. Parking is $9. Ticket prices range between $13 and $34.
For more information about spring training in Florida, visit the following websites: www.floridagrapefruitleague.com or www.springtrainingonline.com.
• Pittsburgh Pirates – For over 40 years, the Pirates have made the annual trek to Bradenton, Florida for Spring Training. McKechnie Stadium, built in 1923, is one of the oldest spring training stadiums in the country. In 1993, a major renovation was completed, keeping the old-time charm of the original stadium. You can purchase the cheapest reserved seats in all of spring training – just $20. Plus, over a third of the seats are covered to protect you from that warm Florida sun.
• Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles made the right decision two years ago when they decided to move to Sarasota, Florida. Ed Smith Stadium just underwent a $31 million renovation to give the ballpark a more traditional feel. There is even more covered seating, better concessions, and an improved left field picnic area. Parking is expensive at $9 per car. Tickets range from $8 to $29.
• St. Louis Cardinals / Florida Marlins – The Cardinals and Marlins share Jupiter’s Roger Dean Stadium, so you have a pretty good chance of seeing a game every day of the week. Since this is the only spring training venue in South Florida, tickets can go fast. Fans love to spread their blankets out on the berm to catch some baseball and some of Florida’s famous sunshine. Autograph seekers will want to head down to the first and third base lines – these ball players are more than willing to give their biggest fans a souvenir they will never forget. Ticket range from $8 to $35. Parking is $7.
• Philadelphia Phillies - There is no doubt that you are in Florida as you enter Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater. Dozens of palm trees greet you as you walk up to the stadium. With not a bad seat in the house, fans get to take in this World Series Championship team while munching on Philly Cheesesteaks and downing a few glasses of Yuengling. For a real tropical feel, stop by their famous Tiki Bar. Parking is $9. Ticket prices range between $13 and $34.
For more information about spring training in Florida, visit the following websites: www.floridagrapefruitleague.com or www.springtrainingonline.com.
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