We wanted to check out Spring Training in Florida. Originally we discussed hit all 13 stadiums in one shot but realizing that would have been a two week trip at least, we scaled it down to one week. We ended up going to 7 games on 5 different days at 6 different spring sites plus the Tropicana Field where the Rays play their regular games. We saw 9 different types plus 2 WBC teams.
Game 1 -- Phillies versus Blue Jays at TD Ballpark in Dunedin.
We wanted to see as many Blue Jays games as possible to see Danny play. Due to insane traffic, we got to Dunedin late. There is limited parking. It is like Lambeau where you park in front yards or Beloit where you parked in the neighborhood and walked. Since we are cheap, we walked. We probably parked a good 1/2 mile away.
This was one of the few stadiums that had sunscreen stations which was a good thing since I forgot to put it on before we got out of the car.
The ballpark was nice. The lines were long since it was a Sunday. We had to boot people out of our seats when we got back from getting drinks. We didn't walk around much since we got there late. The team store is small.
Game 2 -- Marlins versus Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg
Because the Rays normal spring training site was damaged in the hurricane last fall, they had to find a new place to play. Initially they said it was going to be the Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney but then they announced only 1 game would be there and all of the minor league games. The Rays games would be played at home. As much as I would have loved to go to Disney, I'll take Tropicana Field. The hubby said it didn't count towards an official visit nor could I stamp the big book but agreed if we don't get back before the Rays get a new stadium, we would count it.
The ball park is pretty much down to St. Petersburg about 5-10 minutes from the Pier. Parking was a free for all in the lot since we parked in the shade and near the front. We were kind of early.
Walking into the Trop, we decided it was more like a basketball arena then a baseball stadium. You could walk around the entire bowl from inside the seating area but not completely around the concourse. Only the lower bowl was open. We took time to walk around the entire stadium. The touch tank was not open but I saw where it would be.
These were our cheapest tickets at $10 for about 10 rows behind home plate. We got lucky and saw Sandy Alcantara, 2022 NL Cy Young Winner, pitch for Florida. It was not a very good game. The crowd was low key and maybe around 2,000 people.
It was about what we expected but wished we could have been able to walk the entire concourse.
Game 3 -- Pirates vs Yankees at George M Steinbrenner Field (GMS Field) in Tampa
This was our second game of the day. It was a no brainer to follow a Rays game in St. Pete with a Yankees game in Tampa where the Yankees had a nightcap.
It wasn't too bad getting to GMS Field. It is right across from Raymond James stadium (NFL #18 for me) so that's where you park and walk across the bridge.
Because we came in the wrong gate, we were unable to see Monument Park. That is located at the front of the stadium and we entered from centerfield. I tried.. trust me I tried. However, in my quest to see Monument Park we got a quick picture of the World Series Trophies in the suite level.
It was full, loud house. We had good seats which we got at a steal since the hubby's buddy sent us an email telling us about 50% of tickets. Judge had a home run. It was a good game.
They had the largest team store but everything had a Yankees logo. I was looking for a generic spring training hoodie, especially since I was chilly but everything had a giant Yankees logo on it. Nope. I'll freeze.
Game 4 -- Blue Jays vs Pirates at LECOM Park in Bradenton
This was our last game on the west side. LECOM park, like TD Ballpark, is in the middle of residential neighborhood. You literally could hit a fly ball out onto the street. Parking again was either park in yards or small businesses or park on a side street on walk. We parked about 4 blocks away for free.
LECOM was around since 1923 where it was the home of the St. Louis Cardinals. LECOM was home to many spring training teams over the years including the Milwaukee Braves in the 1950s.
LECOM does not have a sunscreen station but the hubby said we are in the shade so it wouldn't matter. Their concourse is open and gorgeous. It is the hubby's favorite ballpark.
Our seats weren't completely in the shade and trust me I needed that sunscreen. We spent a lot of time walking around because the seats weren't comfy and it was cooler to walk around then to sit in our seats.
This was the only ballpark where we actually ate at for the most part. The food was reasonable and good.
Danny wasn't playing so I couldn't really tell you much about the game especially since we did walk around a lot.
Game 5 -- Venezuela vs Mets at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie
This was our first park on the East Coast. Don't put Clover Park into Googlemaps as it will take you to the wrong location (and not even a park). We did get there with plenty of time. They did have a parking lot on site and it was all grass but easy to park.
I actually liked this park. It was pretty spacious and the seats were comfy. You did have to walk up stairs to enter the stadium.
It was one of the bigger crowds we saw but Venezuela was playing. It was a good game. Jose Altuve led off the game with a homer on the opening pitch. He did the same on his next at bat. And almost did it a third time but fouled it off. That was fun to see.
Game 6 -- Israel vs Nationals at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach
Getting to the ballpark was difficult due to traffic and time of day. Since it was a night game, we had to deal with rush hour traffic trying to get to the ballpark. It took forever. Parking was a breeze but a long walk to get into the stadium.
This is one of two shared spring training facilities in the Grapefruit League. The Nationals and the Astros both play here. Both teams have their training facilities on site as well which is not common in Florida especially on the west side.
Our seats were a bit tight since we were in the front row. The game was not much more than a high school game. Israel did beat up the Mets though.
We finally found the shirt and sweatshirt we were looking for at a good price too.
The highlight of the night was the racing presidents -- Herbie and Taft were present. Then we were able to get our picture taken with them. To be honest it was the only mascots we say and ballpark entertainment at most parks were lacking.
Game 7 -- Mets vs Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter
The last of the east coast parks we needed to hit and one of the hubby's request. He wanted to see the Cardinals. Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium is the other shared ballpark with both the Cardinals and Marlins training here.
Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium is kind of in a residential area but also near a college. Parking was in the garage across the street but was a bit chaotic to get to with the game and St. Patrick's Day event going.
The stadium is nice but the team store is lacking again. I'm glad we got our shirts the night before since they didn't have what we were looking for.
I don't remember much of the game but it wasn't bad. We really didn't walk around too much either. The stadium really didn't stand out.
People asked which do you prefer Arizona or Florida. The answers was always Arizona hands down for spring training. It has a better set up and the teams are closer together. It is more fan friendly. Florida may have more people but Arizona is where we want to be. We still have 7 Grapefruit stadiums to check out so we will have to come back but will Arizona will always be our go to Spring Training Destination
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