As mentioned in Andrea’s previous post, we ended up on opposite sides of the country for Spring Break, with me and some friends heading to the Sunshine State for a whirlwind baseball trip. To get themselves ready for the regular season, baseball teams head to warmer climate areas for Spring Training, thus about half the teams play in Arizona (Cactus League) and the other half play in Florida (Grapefruit League). Since Florida is approximately 1,000 times closer to us than Arizona, we decided to pile into a rented mini-van and make the trek south. Making the journey was Anthony (Marlins fan with Reds tendencies), Nick (Reds fan), Kelvin (Mets fan), and yours truly (eternally optimistic Reds fan).Over the course of 5 days in the great state of Florida, we went to 8 Spring Training baseball games, managing to see several different teams and ballparks. I’ve included some notes on each game that we went to (home team listed first):
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Pittsburg Pirates at Al Lang Field (St. Petersburg)
Our first game on the trip and oh what a view. The field is located right next to a harbor that is full of sailboats; as picturesque as you could possibly imagine. It turns out that this field has been home to more spring training games than any other field in the country, but sadly it may be gone as early as next year (check out this excellent piece by Jayson Stark). By the way, the Pirates got pounded by the “cellar-dwellers-no-more” Rays.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Toronto Blue Jays at Ed Smith Stadium (Sarasota)
The second game of our Monday doubleheader (two games, two cities) gave us the chance to see our fearless Redlegs take on a decidedly short-handed Blue Jays team (only 3 starters were in the lineup). Still, it gave us a chance to see the Reds in what may be their final stint in Florida, since the team is considering a move to the Cactus league next spring. Dusty’s boys came through with a win after a monster home run by rookie first-baseman Joey Votto sealed the deal.
Pittsburg Pirates vs. Minnesota Twins at McKechnie Field (Bradenton)
Excitement filled the air as we went to see the Pirates for the second time in two days (have I mentioned how sarcasm doesn’t translate very well in print?). This might be my favorite ballpark that we saw. It was very old-school and made us feel like we were watching a game in the 1950’s. Check out the hand-written lineup board that is posted outside the stadium.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Pittsburg Pirates at Al Lang Field (St. Petersburg)
Our first game on the trip and oh what a view. The field is located right next to a harbor that is full of sailboats; as picturesque as you could possibly imagine. It turns out that this field has been home to more spring training games than any other field in the country, but sadly it may be gone as early as next year (check out this excellent piece by Jayson Stark). By the way, the Pirates got pounded by the “cellar-dwellers-no-more” Rays.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Toronto Blue Jays at Ed Smith Stadium (Sarasota)
The second game of our Monday doubleheader (two games, two cities) gave us the chance to see our fearless Redlegs take on a decidedly short-handed Blue Jays team (only 3 starters were in the lineup). Still, it gave us a chance to see the Reds in what may be their final stint in Florida, since the team is considering a move to the Cactus league next spring. Dusty’s boys came through with a win after a monster home run by rookie first-baseman Joey Votto sealed the deal.
Pittsburg Pirates vs. Minnesota Twins at McKechnie Field (Bradenton)
Excitement filled the air as we went to see the Pirates for the second time in two days (have I mentioned how sarcasm doesn’t translate very well in print?). This might be my favorite ballpark that we saw. It was very old-school and made us feel like we were watching a game in the 1950’s. Check out the hand-written lineup board that is posted outside the stadium.Detroit Tigers vs. Houston Astros at Joker Marchant Stadium (Lakeland) 
What a name for a stadium! We were told that it was named after a local director of parks and recreation in the 1940s. Probably the most architecturally pleasing ballpark on our trip, the Tigers have been coming here every spring since 1965. Saw a great game as the Tigers came back from a six run deficit to defeat the visiting Astros. Most random crowd story from the trip: a fellow sitting next to us turned out to be a graduate student at UC like Anthony and I, and he actually lives right across the street from us. Crazy!
Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals at Champion Stadium (Lake Buena Vista)
By far the most commercial ballpark on the trip (what else could you expect from Disney), but pleasant enough for a matinee game. This is one of the games were we sat on the burm, making for a nice view. The Braves fended off the Nats in a preview of National League East cellar drama.
What a name for a stadium! We were told that it was named after a local director of parks and recreation in the 1940s. Probably the most architecturally pleasing ballpark on our trip, the Tigers have been coming here every spring since 1965. Saw a great game as the Tigers came back from a six run deficit to defeat the visiting Astros. Most random crowd story from the trip: a fellow sitting next to us turned out to be a graduate student at UC like Anthony and I, and he actually lives right across the street from us. Crazy!
Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals at Champion Stadium (Lake Buena Vista)
By far the most commercial ballpark on the trip (what else could you expect from Disney), but pleasant enough for a matinee game. This is one of the games were we sat on the burm, making for a nice view. The Braves fended off the Nats in a preview of National League East cellar drama.Cleveland Indians vs. Tampa Bay Rays at Chain of Lakes Park (Winter Haven)
This game was special because it was the last game the Indians will ever play in Winter Haven; they are moving to Cactus League next spring. Legendary pitcher Bob Feller was on-hand to send off the Indians in a mixed-emotional farewell. The Rays beat the Indians in what turned out to be the only game we attended in which the home team lost. Our seats were in bleachers just past the home-run wall in left field.
Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Mets at Fort Lauderdale Stadium
(Fort Lauderdale)
This ballpark was a little bit run down, but there wasn’t a bad seat in the house. It remains to be seen whether the O’s will be back next year because they are having a hard time getting the renovation plans approved (turns out the field is right next to the airport and thus FAA has some say in this matter). The Birds came back from a three-run deficit in the 9th to nip the Mets, much to the chagrin of Kelvin who noted that we should talk again in September when the New York club will be in the playoff hunt and the Orioles will be languishing in last place.
Florida Marlins vs. New York Yankees at Dolphin Stadium (Miami)
A fitting end to our trip, this game was not played at the Marlins regular spring training site, but rather was held in their regular season home to accommodate the large number of Yankees fans in attendance. It turns out that Alex Rodriguez makes more money in one season than the entire Marlins roster, but it mattered not as the Fish kept their dominance over the Bronx Bombers with a convincing win.
Overall, I had a blast on this trip. Spending a week together in a car with 4 guys could seem like an experiment in disaster, but I enjoyed every minute of it. We talked about politics, music, and of course, baseball. Kudos to Anthony, Nick, and Kelvin for being such good travel companions; it was a great trip!
This game was special because it was the last game the Indians will ever play in Winter Haven; they are moving to Cactus League next spring. Legendary pitcher Bob Feller was on-hand to send off the Indians in a mixed-emotional farewell. The Rays beat the Indians in what turned out to be the only game we attended in which the home team lost. Our seats were in bleachers just past the home-run wall in left field.
Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Mets at Fort Lauderdale Stadium
(Fort Lauderdale)This ballpark was a little bit run down, but there wasn’t a bad seat in the house. It remains to be seen whether the O’s will be back next year because they are having a hard time getting the renovation plans approved (turns out the field is right next to the airport and thus FAA has some say in this matter). The Birds came back from a three-run deficit in the 9th to nip the Mets, much to the chagrin of Kelvin who noted that we should talk again in September when the New York club will be in the playoff hunt and the Orioles will be languishing in last place.
Florida Marlins vs. New York Yankees at Dolphin Stadium (Miami)
A fitting end to our trip, this game was not played at the Marlins regular spring training site, but rather was held in their regular season home to accommodate the large number of Yankees fans in attendance. It turns out that Alex Rodriguez makes more money in one season than the entire Marlins roster, but it mattered not as the Fish kept their dominance over the Bronx Bombers with a convincing win.
Overall, I had a blast on this trip. Spending a week together in a car with 4 guys could seem like an experiment in disaster, but I enjoyed every minute of it. We talked about politics, music, and of course, baseball. Kudos to Anthony, Nick, and Kelvin for being such good travel companions; it was a great trip!
