March 26th, 2010 by admin

Baseball season doesn’t start until April, but fans can already get a glimpse of their favorite team’s players—if they are willing to travel. Spring Training exhibition games kick off in early March, with most players heading south to their teams’ pre-season camps in late

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Baseball season doesn’t start until April, but fans can already get a glimpse of their favorite team’s players—if they are willing to travel. Spring Training exhibition games kick off in early March, with most players heading south to their teams’ pre-season camps in late February.

When Spring Training heats up, it is still winter in the country’s northern regions. Fans whose teams play in the so-called Grapefruit League in Southern and Central Florida have a great excuse to escape the late winter blues and head south for a few days.

There are pre-season games to attend, of course, and most teams accommodate their fans by letting them watch practices, request autographs and mingle with players. For hardcore fans, the unprecedented access and small-scale feel of the games is a dream come true. For baseball purists, the experience is arguably closer to the game’s intimate roots than huge, commercial, modern stadiums—where regular season games take place—allow for.

Anyone that chooses to attend a Major League pre-season game can enjoy beautiful spring weather and a decidedly more laid back atmosphere than mid-season and playoffs.

Want to visit Spring Training (or use Spring Training as an excuse to go to South Florida)? Here’s what you need to know:

Flights

Flights to Florida are not always expensive, but prices can be inflated during the winter high travel season. This is especially the case around spring break, when thousands of college-aged students descend on the Sunshine State. That said, there are cheap flights available for those who are able to book ahead and can travel during the week rather than weekends.

If your team plays in South Florida, you can take advantage of the fact that low cost carriers like Jet Blue use the Fort Lauderdale Airport. Depending on your city of departure (flights are generally cheaper from hub cities or larger cities like Chicago, New York or Philadelphia), you should be able to find a round trip ticket for under 0 per person.

Hotels

It is possible to get travel packages that include airfare, hotel and game tickets from your favorite team. This is a good way to travel if you do not want to engage in any planning. It is usually possible to plan your own trip for cheaper than the price of a package. Also, going it alone means that you will have more flexibility and will not be spending all your vacation time on baseball-related activities.

Keep in mind that many hotels adjacent to or near stadiums and spring training facilities will inflate their prices during training. A good strategy is to find a decently-priced hotel a little further from the facility. This means that you will, in most cases, have to drive to games and practices, but the room savings balance out any mild transportation inconvenience.

For an extended stay, it is possible to rent a condo, cabin or even a house. This will keep costs down, especially if you are traveling with multiple people who can split the overall fee.

Non-Baseball Attractions

Baseball is not the only thing happening in South and Central Florida post-winter. Virtually all Spring  Training complexes have a public golf course nearby. Golfers can diversify their vacation by hitting the links.

Even if the training camp stadium is located in a smaller city, there is bound to be a big city nearby. Whether it is Tampa/Saint Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers or Orlando, there will be plenty of metropolitan attractions within striking distance. If you fly, you will have to pass through one of these cities, so why not block off half a day on either end of your trip for some sightseeing or a visit to one of the many theme parks in the Orlando and Tampa areas?

Pre-Season Games

Ticket prices vary depending on which team is taking the field. As a general rule, more popular teams (such as the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees) have steeper ticket prices. Most ballparks seat between 7,000-12,000 people. Tickets for in-field seats near the playing field are the most expensive, averaging between - per game (that’s still much less than regular season prices). Most stadiums, however, also have berms, lawns or bleaches in the outfield. Fans can gain access to these areas for as little as .

A full schedule of Grapefruit League Games, as well as a synopsis of each team’s ticket prices, can be found on the official Spring Training Online website. Because of the low-key atmosphere, many players stay on the field after the games to practice or mingle. If you are looking for autographs or pictures, this is a good time to request them from your favorite players.

To avoid large crowds, try to attend weekday games. Night games and weekend games are usually more crowded, especially when a popular team like the Yankees or Braves is on the field.

Access to Practices

Most teams have practices that are free to attend and open to the public. These work-outs often take place in the morning. Attending a practice is a great way to both save money and get a glimpse of your favorite players. If you are looking for autographs or photos, it is best to stay around after practice. You are more likely to be able to mingle successfully with players if you do not pester them while they are on the field.

A map of all Spring Training camps held in Florida can be found here. The official Grapefruit League web site has a downloadable guide that is free of charge.

Here is a list of the teams that spend March in Florida: Atlanta, Boston, Baltimore, Detroit, Florida, Houston, Minnesota, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Saint Louis, Tampa Bay, Toronto and Washington.

LowFares.com is giving away a free iPod Nano and iTunes gift card to two lucky Sweepstakes winners in our Fantasy Spring Vacation contest. If you’re a fan of LowFares on Facebook, you are already entered to win. If not, become a fan of LowFares on Facebook to enter for a chance to win. Don’t forget to comment on our page and let us know what your Fantasy Spring Getaway is!

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Home Of The Braves: Joe Shlabotnik
Gary Sheffield: Autiscy

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