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 Spring Training in Florida. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spring Training in Florida. Show all posts
Friday, February 3, 2012
Friday, March 4, 2011
Play Ball. It’s Time for Spring Training!
Ah, the weather has finally changed. Forget about those cold days with temperatures in the 60’s! Warm breezes and temperatures in the mid 70’s are the norm now - which means one thing. Spring Training in Florida has begun!
For decades, baseball lovers have been flocking to Florida to watch the boys of summer prepare for their upcoming season. Of course, baseball lovers do not just look forward to the baseball games. The fact that some of the world’s best beaches are located just a few miles away doesn’t hurt either.
Florida’s Grapefruit League is made up of 15 MLB teams, including the World Series Champion’s New York Yankees. Each spring training city has their own little piece of history with these teams. Some teams have spent time in a variety of Florida cities, while the Detroit Tigers have been calling Lakeland, FL home for over 70 years. Ticket prices range from $8 to $43. Food and drink prices are moderate to expensive. But, the experience is second to none.
Here is a quick look at a few of the teams who train in Florida.
• Detroit Tigers – For 75 years, the Tigers have trained at Lakeland’s Tiger Town. History runs deep here, even though the stadium was remodeled in 2003. Every baseball lover should see at least one game here - no other spring training town has such a long lasting relationship with a team. It’s not all about the game! Try the Dairy Queen Strawberry Chocolate Ice Cream Concoction sold here. It’s enough to bring you back again and again.
• Washington Nationals – Let’s be honest, the Nationals are not exactly the best team in baseball. But, they do train just 15 miles west of one of Florida’s most famous beaches – Cocoa Beach. After the game, talk a stroll down the beach or stop by the world famous Ron Jon’s Surf Shop. Ticket prices are reasonable, starting at $10, and parking is downright cheap at $5
• Atlanta Braves – Disney has gotten into the spring training business by hosting the Atlanta Braves at Champions Stadium. The stadium has all the bells and whistles you would expect from Disney. Guests do not just get to see a ballgame. They also get to see Disney entertainment and maybe a fireworks show. The best part – parking is free. However, tickets can be pricy and do sell out fast.
• New York Yankees – Tampa hosts the World Championship Yankees at Legends Field. The stadium holds over 10,000 spectators and usually sells out fast. We recommend eating before you come to the game. Specifically, eat at the La Tropicana in Ybor City. A Deviled Crab and Cuban sandwich should easily fill you up.
• Houston Astros – There is no “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” here. Instead, we sing “Deep in the Heart of Texas” at the 7th inning stretch. The Astros train in Kissimmee, Florida at Osceola Stadium, complete with a Texas sized boot at the entrance. It’s a terrific venue with plenty of covered seating and convenient access to Orlando attractions.
For more information about all 15 teams, schedules, and ticket prices, check out the following websites: www.floridagrapefruitleague.com or www.springtrainingonline.com.
For decades, baseball lovers have been flocking to Florida to watch the boys of summer prepare for their upcoming season. Of course, baseball lovers do not just look forward to the baseball games. The fact that some of the world’s best beaches are located just a few miles away doesn’t hurt either.
Florida’s Grapefruit League is made up of 15 MLB teams, including the World Series Champion’s New York Yankees. Each spring training city has their own little piece of history with these teams. Some teams have spent time in a variety of Florida cities, while the Detroit Tigers have been calling Lakeland, FL home for over 70 years. Ticket prices range from $8 to $43. Food and drink prices are moderate to expensive. But, the experience is second to none.
Here is a quick look at a few of the teams who train in Florida.
• Detroit Tigers – For 75 years, the Tigers have trained at Lakeland’s Tiger Town. History runs deep here, even though the stadium was remodeled in 2003. Every baseball lover should see at least one game here - no other spring training town has such a long lasting relationship with a team. It’s not all about the game! Try the Dairy Queen Strawberry Chocolate Ice Cream Concoction sold here. It’s enough to bring you back again and again.
• Washington Nationals – Let’s be honest, the Nationals are not exactly the best team in baseball. But, they do train just 15 miles west of one of Florida’s most famous beaches – Cocoa Beach. After the game, talk a stroll down the beach or stop by the world famous Ron Jon’s Surf Shop. Ticket prices are reasonable, starting at $10, and parking is downright cheap at $5
• Atlanta Braves – Disney has gotten into the spring training business by hosting the Atlanta Braves at Champions Stadium. The stadium has all the bells and whistles you would expect from Disney. Guests do not just get to see a ballgame. They also get to see Disney entertainment and maybe a fireworks show. The best part – parking is free. However, tickets can be pricy and do sell out fast.
• New York Yankees – Tampa hosts the World Championship Yankees at Legends Field. The stadium holds over 10,000 spectators and usually sells out fast. We recommend eating before you come to the game. Specifically, eat at the La Tropicana in Ybor City. A Deviled Crab and Cuban sandwich should easily fill you up.
• Houston Astros – There is no “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” here. Instead, we sing “Deep in the Heart of Texas” at the 7th inning stretch. The Astros train in Kissimmee, Florida at Osceola Stadium, complete with a Texas sized boot at the entrance. It’s a terrific venue with plenty of covered seating and convenient access to Orlando attractions.
For more information about all 15 teams, schedules, and ticket prices, check out the following websites: www.floridagrapefruitleague.com or www.springtrainingonline.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)