Spring Training

Hi, so with all the parks I have been to, I have never been to spring training. I decided to rectify that this year and just booked a March 2014 trip to visit the Yankees in Tampa and the Braves in Orlando. Does anyone have any advice about doing games there? Is either park known for something in particular or have a "can't-miss" thing to see? Do you go just to the games or can you watch practices also? Best ways to get player autographs? Anything else? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

-Eric

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Permalink Reply by Boyd Harter on January 23, 2014 at 6:44am

I am heading to Spring Training for the first time as well. We will be going to Nationals and Braves games (mostly to watch them play the Cardinals). My understanding of the Braves games is that it is not your typical spring training experience. They play in the largest park in the Grapefruit League and corporate logos are everywhere. It is part of Disney's Wide World of Sports complex. I've been looking for a reason to visit the complex for years. I've been told the games are unlike anything you've seen b/c Disney puts their spin on it....characters around stadium and on field between innings. It was described as a baseball game run by professional entertainers (whatever that might mean). I understand the Braves sold 99.1% of the Spring training seats last year so expect some big crowds! touristy crowds from what I've been told (spillover from Disney vacationing families). Should be interesting.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Kabakoff (35) on January 23, 2014 at 7:47am

Wow. This certainly does sound like an atypical spring training experience! We had a feeling it would be different and so also booked tickets in Lakeland to see the Tigers. Since they have been there since 1934, that sounds like a more traditional spring training experience, and now we would have both kinds of experiences [ traditionald and "Disney."

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Permalink Reply by Sandee kelley on February 6, 2014 at 4:33pm

This is the first year in 8 yrs my family and i wont be attending cactus league ST. Its gotten so crowded and the ticket prices are as much as a regular season game. Tons of people, and players dont do autographs like they used to cuz they just dont have the time for all the people. Kinda sad. Good for MLB tho I guess