Simply

By Jeff and Virginia Orenstein

Spring Training in Florida’s Grapefruit League

COVID Update: Spring training baseball in Florida has been reorganized into regional pods. Check online for the latest information. It may change. As of this writing, the west coast pod will feature five teams including the Pirates and Baltimore Orioles and the Atlanta Braves in and around Sarasota. It will split into north and south divisions with teams playing 28 games. COVID precautions including masks will be in effect. Contact individual teams for tickets.

The other teams who conduct spring training in Florida and will be affected are the Atlanta Braves (North Port), Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins (Fort Myers), Detroit Tigers (Lakeland), Houston Astros and Washington Nationals (West Palm Beach), Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals (Jupiter) and New York Mets (Port St. Lucie), New York Yankees (Tampa), Philadelphia Phillies (Clearwater), Tampa Bay Rays (Port Charlotte) and Toronto Blue Jays (Dunedin).

Play Ball! If you are planning a Spring trip to Florida, don’t forget about major league baseball and its Grapefruit League’s spring training. Starting on February 27 and continuing until opening day on April 1, cries of “Play ball” and the crack of the bat will echo across the 15 Major League Spring Training stadiums in the sunshine state. The stadiums are clustered on the state’s east and west coast, with a couple on I-4 between the two. With distances between stadiums ranging from just a few miles across town in places like Ft. Myers, Sarasota and Tampa to a little over 200 miles across the state, you can take in several different teams and stadiums.

Good planning now for your trip is required if you don’t want to be disappointed. These relatively small stadiums sell out fairly quickly, especially when traditional rivals play each other.

Before you visit in person, visit the web sites:

• http://www.springtrainingconnection.com/index.html • http://mlb.mlb.com/springtraining/grapefruitleague/ • http://www.floridagrapefruitleague.com/ • http://www.floridagrapefruitleague.com/home/freeguide/ • http://www.mlbschedule2018.com/schedules.html • https://springtraining.ticketnetwork.com

Getting There

Spring training sites can be reached by highway, air or train. • Airports offering nearby access to west coast pod stadiums include Tampa International (TPA), St. Petersburg-Clearwater International (PIE), Sarasota-Bradenton International (SRQ) and Southwest Florida International at Ft. Myers (RSW). Orlando International (MCO) and Palm Beach International (PBI) are fairly close to some east coast parks.

• By train, Amtrak serves Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach, in fairly close proximity to several ball parks via rental car and, in some cases, public transportation.

• By car, the ball parks are reached via I-75 which runs down Florida’s west coast and I-95 on the east coast. Road travel between the coasts that is convenient to ball parks is via the Florida Turnpike, I-4 or State Routes 70 and 80.

Ed Smith Stadium, the spring training home of the Baltimore Orioles (and before them, the Cincinnati Reds), is a typical grapefruit league ball park. Credit: Jeff Orenstein

If You Only Have Time For a Short Stay: Must-sees for a short stay are: • At least one game.

• Seeing the major attractions in the spring training city of your choice.

If You Have Several Days, Enjoy: • More than one game, maybe at more than one stadium.

• A trip to the beach and/or a deep-sea fishing trip or a round of golf. (Smart Travel page 34)

The stands at a typical spring training game are full. Only some seats are in the shade on even a sunny day and the late winter Florida sun can be hot. Credit: Jeff Orenstein

Ginny O shows a bit of baseball fashion as she clowns with the Oriole Bird at Sarasota’s Ed Smith Stadium. Credit: Jeff Orenstein

• Seaside alfresco dining (in lieu of a sunset dinner cruise on the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico.

• A visit to Orlando for tourist attractions like theme parks and/or a side trip to Cape Canaveral. • Exploration of the many entertainment and cultural attractions where you are staying.

Ginny O’s Tips For Dressing The Simply Smart Travel Way For

Grapefruit League Games. I’ve been to games in the low 30s, mid 80s and everything in between. Be prepared for anything from a cold drizzle to blazing sun. Bring a mask, jacket, sunglasses, suntan lotion and a hat for your favorite team.

Mobility Level: Most ball parks are handicap accessible.

When To Go: During spring training season. Be prepared for crowds everywhere, not just at the ball park. Take appropriate precautions.

Where To Stay: Any place convenient to your preferred team’s spring training site.

Special Travel Interests: Baseball, Florida

Jeffrey Orenstein, Ph.D. and Virginia Orenstein are husband and wife travel writers from Sarasota, Florida. Reach them at jorenstein@ SimplySmartTravel.com or at www.SimplySmartTravel. com.