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Spring Training Trip

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lazydeac

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I'm ready to skip over the next few seasons of sports (thank you Ron Wellman) so let's jump ahead to March

Has anyone ever done a spring training trip?

What was your itinerary and where did you stay?

What are the must see parks?

I'm thinking Florida but could you sell me on Arizona?

Where are cool areas to stay on the beach on the west coast of Florida with walkable bars/restaurants near by and such?
 
If you base yourself around Tampa, you'd be able to see the following teams within about an hour's drive:

Yankees
Phillies
Tigers
Blue Jays
Pirates
Orioles
 
If you want to go to Florida, you can stay in Orlando and see the Braves at Disney and Astros at Kissimmee, then also have the Tigers at Lakeland and Nationals at Melbourne within a reasonable drive. You're not at the beach though if that's your goal.

My biggest shock going to Spring Training 10 years ago was how expensive game tickets are these days, and of course how boring the games are after about the 5th inning when it's all a bunch of non-roster, non-prospect scrubs playing out the string. That said, it's still fun.
 
I've been the last 8 years and have stayed both in Orlando and on the West Coast. The Tampa area really is the best place to go if you want to see a lot of teams and games. In addition to the teams in the area you're only an hour and a half from the Braves and Astros. We stayed in Sarasota this year and went to games in Sarasota, Brandeton, and Port Charlotte. The Pirates have recently renovated their stadium in Bradenton and it's very impressive.
 
I'd probably stay on Clearwater Beach or St Pete Beach. Phillies and Jays would be within 20 minutes, Yankees in 30, Pirates Rays and O's within 60-90 minutes, Braves and Astros within 2 hours.

I think the Phillies have the best park in Florida. Jays have the most authentic atmosphere but are on their way out of Dunedin.
 
I've done Arizona multiple times and it's great. All the teams are near each other (except for one in Tucson, I think). Weather is awesome, ballparks are fun, laid back atmosphere pounding beers, golf, NBA, hot Tempe coeds. It's a damn good time.

I am considering doing Florida this next spring because of the proximity, but I imagine it's more crowded and just more of a pain in the butt, in general because of the teams involved.
 
AZ is awesome - it's so easy to see so many different teams in close proximity to each other. Downtown Phoenix is even pickup the social scene a bit - so between Scottsdale, Tempe, & Phoenix, it's a great spring training trip. Not that I'm biased or anything.
 
I have done Fla, Grapefruit League several tims , but not in the last few years. Always did American League cause I was playing Rotessorie. Clearwater/Tampa is a good area to stay. Lots of parks easy to drive to.

I really liked Joker marchant stadium in Lakeland (Detroit) and Dunedin (Blue Jays). I don't like Legends Field (Yankees).

Around 10 years ago stayed at a Howard Johnsons in Tampa with a couple friends. We walked across the 4 lane highway to a Benegans for lunch. Left there about 2 in the afternoon on a very bright sunny day and stopped in what we thought was a bar/niteclub to watch some college basketball. Had a 10 dollar cover charge I think. Anyway we were the only males in the place. I went to the restroom to throw some water on my face as I thought I had possibly died. Maybe 40 females in the place and only 15 or so pieces of Victoria Secrets wear between them. Dropped a couple hundred and didn't see any basketball. Learned later we had stumbled into Mons Venus.
 
HalIncandenza said:
I've done Arizona multiple times and it's great. All the teams are near each other (except for one in Tucson, I think). Weather is awesome, ballparks are fun, laid back atmosphere pounding beers, golf, NBA, hot Tempe coeds. It's a damn good time.

I am considering doing Florida this next spring because of the proximity, but I imagine it's more crowded and just more of a pain in the butt, in general because of the teams involved.
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Both the White Sox and the D'Backs left Tucson a couple of years ago. No more teams in Tucson.
 
I've always heard the Arizona experience surpasses Florida because of newer facilities. That's about all I can add.
 
silk said:
I have done Fla, Grapefruit League several tims , but not in the last few years. Always did American League cause I was playing Rotessorie. Clearwater/Tampa is a good area to stay. Lots of parks easy to drive to.

I really liked Joker marchant stadium in Lakeland (Detroit) and Dunedin (Blue Jays). I don't like Legends Field (Yankees).

Around 10 years ago stayed at a Howard Johnsons in Tampa with a couple friends. We walked across the 4 lane highway to a Benegans for lunch. Left there about 2 in the afternoon on a very bright sunny day and stopped in what we thought was a bar/niteclub to watch some college basketball. Had a 10 dollar cover charge I think. Anyway we were the only males in the place. I went to the restroom to throw some water on my face as I thought I had possibly died. Maybe 40 females in the place and only 15 or so pieces of Victoria Secrets wear between them. Dropped a couple hundred and didn't see any basketball. Learned later we had stumbled into Mons Venus.
Click to expand...


You didn't realize Mons Venus was a strip club? Good God. The big sign saying NUDE didn't give it away?
 
texasdeac said:
Both the White Sox and the D'Backs left Tucson a couple of years ago. No more teams in Tucson.
Click to expand...

Awesome. Last time I was there was 3 years ago and I think CWS had just moved to Scottsdale and the DBacks were still in Tucson. Arizona spring training is awesomely convenient for checking out a bunch of teams.
 
HalIncandenza said:
Awesome. Last time I was there was 3 years ago and I think CWS had just moved to Scottsdale and the DBacks were still in Tucson. Arizona spring training is awesomely convenient for checking out a bunch of teams.
Click to expand...

The D'backs and Rockies share a facility in Scottsdale right by the TalkingStick Resort and Casino. That's the "big thing" out here is two teams sharing upgraded facilities - Reds/Indians (west valley), White Sox/Dodgers (west valley), etc. The SF Giants still have their own spot in Old Town Scottsdale. The Angels (tempe, near ASU) and A's (near the zoo) also have their own facilities in the east valley. Out of the 15 teams, it's almost evenly split between the east side and west side. Most are within 45 minutes of each other - except if you have to go from the Southeast (Cubs) to the Northwest (Rangers).
 
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