Attractions

by Barbra Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut

Alas, football season is over. But take heart, sports fans, because Major League Baseball spring training begins in just a few short days. Both the Grapefruit League in Florida and the Cactus League in Arizona launch their seasons on February 25th.

Prior to Cleveland's move to Aizona, the Toronto Blue Jays played the Cleveland Indians in Winter Haven, Florida during spring training. Photo courtesy of Hyku at http://flickr.com/photos/hyku/440073474/in/set-72157600036937046/

Florida’s Grapefruit League is home to 16 of the 30 Major League Baseball club’s spring training programs:

• Atlanta Braves: Champion Stadium, Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World
• Baltimore Orioles: Fort Lauderdale Stadium, Ft. Lauderdale
• Boston Red Sox: City of Palms Park, Fort Myers
• Cincinnati Reds: Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota (moving to Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear, AZ in 2010)
• Detroit Tigers: Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland
• Florida Marlins: Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter
• Houston Astros: Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee
• Minnesota Twins: Hammond Stadium, Ft. Myers
• New York Mets: Tradition Field, Port St. Lucie
• New York Yankees: George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa
• Philadelphia Phillies: Bright House Field, Clearwater
• Pittsburgh Pirates: McKechnie Field, Bradenton
• St. Louis Cardinals: Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter
• Tampa Bay Rays: Charlotte Sports Park, Port Charlotte
• Toronto Blue Jays: Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin
• Washington Nationals: Space Coast Stadium, Viera

Arizona’s Cactus League hosts the remaining 14 teams:

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Tucson Electric Park, Tucson
• Chicago Cubs: HoHoKam Park, Mesa
• Chicago White Sox: Tucson Electric Park, Tucson (moving to Glendale, Camelback Ranch in 2009)
• Cleveland Indians: Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear
• Colorado Rockies: Hi Corbett Field, Tucson
• Kansas City Royals: Surprise Stadium, Surprise
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Tempe Diablo Stadium, Tempe
• Los Angeles Dodgers: Camelback Ranch, Glendale
• Milwaukee Brewers: Maryvale Baseball Park, Phoenix
• Oakland Athletics: Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix
• San Diego Padres: Peoria Sports Complex, Peoria
• San Francisco Giants: Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale
• Seattle Mariners: Peoria Sports Complex, Peoria
• Texas Rangers: Surprise Stadium, Surprise

Getting autographs is a big part of the spring training tradition. Photo courtesy of the Grapefruit League.

Fans are especially passionate about spring training because, unlike regular season play, there is ample opportunity to get close to the players. The majority of teams have workouts that are free and open to the public. Some teams even conduct batting and field practice after the game, which is a great way to see your favorite player without the big crowds.

And if fans need a reason to attend spring training other than being passionate about baseball, they can always use the excuse of needing a break from the cold weather, because both Florida and Arizona enjoy delightful warm temperatures and mostly sunny skies throughout the winter and spring months.

MLB spring training extends through April 2, 2009. An complete schedule of games is available at the SpringTrainingTips.com website. But if you haven’t yet made your reservations, do it soon, because Florida accommodations and Arizona hotel rooms fill up quickly during spring training season.