Spring Training Baseball in Florida
Do you like your baseball up close and personal, with great views of the players, the action, and the field? Then consider spring training baseball in Florida for your next true baseball fantasy. The "Grapefruit" League, as spring training baseball in Florida is known, is the longest running spring training area in the country.
Who plays in the Grapefruit League? Well, according to many they're some of the finest teams in baseball, and certainly some with the longest histories. Here's a list of the teams that play spring training baseball in Florida, and the locations where they play ball.
1. Atlanta Braves - Lake Buena Vista
2. Baltimore Orioles - Ft. Lauderdale
3. Boston Red Sox - Fort Myers
4. Cincinnati Reds - Sarasota
5. Detroit Tigers - Lakeland
6. Florida Marlins - Jupiter
7. Houston Astros - Kissimmee
8. Minnesota Twins - Fort Myers
9. New York Mets - Port St. Lucie
10. New York Yankees - Tampa
11. Philadelphia Phillies - Clearwater
12. Pittsburgh Pirates - Bradenton
13. St. Louis Cardinals - Jupiter
14. Tampa Bay Rays- Port Charlotte
15. Toronto Blue Jays - Dunedin
16. Washington Nationals - Viera
As you can see, teams play all over the state from the last week of February throughout the month of March, so if you plan a Florida visit during that time, make sure to take in a game or two and enjoy your very favorite teams in a smaller, much more intimate setting. Watching baseball in the Grapefruit League is like watching baseball of decades ago, when fans were "part" of the team, and the ballparks were smaller, livelier, and sometimes a lot more fun!
A Little League History
Spring training came to Florida one hundred years ago in 1908 with an exhibition game between the Cincinnati Reds and the semi-pro local team, the St. Petersburg Saints. In 1913, it began in earnest with the Chicago Cubs who took up residence in Tampa for the Florida's first real spring training. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Indians trained in Pensacola that same year. By 1914, five teams were calling the Grapefruit League their summer home, and spring training baseball Florida had officially become the hit of the off season.
Today sixteen teams call Florida home during the month of March, and you can catch some up and coming stars along with some of the greats if you take in a game or two in Florida during spring training.
Smaller Stadiums with Smaller Prices
Of course, the spring weather in Florida is what brings teams to play. It's warm, pleasant, and usually sunny, and with so many teams participating, you're sure to find one or two games every day within easy distance of each other. Maybe the best thing about spring training baseball Florida is the small stadiums that give you a much better view of all the action. You're closer to the field and the players, and you can get a much better view of the plays and the men who make them..
Ticket prices are cheaper too, so you can afford to take in more games while you're in Florida, and who knows, you may see the next home run king or ace pitcher before they become a household name. You can buy tickets for spring training online, or at the ballparks on game day.
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