Rejoice baseball fans, MLB spring training is just 30 days away!
No professional sports preseason is looked forward to as much as MLB spring training is. Why? Well for starters, all 30 teams sojourn to either Arizona or Florida and spend about a month in the much warmer climate than their cities are use to- for the most part. This makes for a perfect time for all fans to ditch the snow and catch some sun in the heart of winter.
No matter what spring training facility your team goes to, you can’t go wrong. However, here are the best facilities you must visit in your lifetime.
Atlanta Braves, Champion Stadium
Located in the most magical place on earth, the Atlanta Braves travel to Walt Disney World for their spiring training every February. Champion Stadium is located in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and has been the temporary spring home to Atlanta since 1997.
Champion Stadium, which was originally named Cracker Jack Stadium, is the home of the Gulf Coast League Braves — the rookie-level team of the Atlanta Braves every summer.
If you are a baseball fan, and have a young family, Champion Stadium should be on your bucket list. One day you could catch some MLB baseball and the next visit Mickey Mouse!
Tampa Bay Rays, Charlotte Sports Park
Located in Port Charlotte, Florida, Rays fans won’t have to travel far from St. Petersburg to experience spring training. In fact, the USA Today named Charlotte Sports Park the best spring training facility in 2014.
Truly a family-friendly atmosphere, Tampa Bay fans can explore this state-of-the-art facility as it included many kids playing areas and the infamous baseball boardwalk in the outfield. The ballpark was constructed with the Florida sun in mind, meaning there are certain seats they recommend if you would like to be in the shade or sun.
The Charlotte Stone Crabs, minor league affiliate of Tampa Bay, also call Charlotte Sports Park home during the spring season and won the 2015 Florida State League Championship, while also hosting the All Star Game.
Los Angeles Dodgers/ Chicago White Sox, Camelback Ranch
Camelback Ranch in Arizona is shared by the LA Dodgers and Chicago White Sox. It is the largest spring training facility in the Cactus League with a capacity of 13,000, which includes 3,000 lawn seats, 12 luxury suits and a party deck. In addition to the main stadium, it also has 13 full baseball fields and three half-fields.
Two of the 12 practice fields are replica fields of the Dodgers and White Sox home stadiums with exact dimensions of Dodger Stadium and U.S. Cellular Field, respectively.
Probably the coolest feature is is the Orange Grove located beyond the left-field wall of replica Dodger Stadium. Offering a touch of Southern California, fans can stroll through the orange grove before, during or after any spring training game, for either team.
Minnesota Twins, Hammond Stadium
If you are looking for a classic spring training stadium with significant history, look no further than Hammond Stadium in Ft. Myers, Florida. It’s been the spring training home to the Minnesota Twins for the past 26 years and now includes an upgraded facility in the CenturyLink Sports Complex.
Similar to Charlotte Sports Park, it includes a complete 360° boardwalk with 1,200 plus seats and 31 different, unique concession stands. Additionally, the complex houses four state-of-the-art softball fields, which are utilized throughout the year by collegiate and community teams.
Fans often frequent the Crowne Plaza at Bell Tower Shops and can often be found partying the night away at Shoeless Joe’s Sports Cafe inside the hotel, at all hours of the day.
Seattle Mariners/ San Diego Padres, Peoria Sports Complex
Built in 1994, Peoria Sports Complex was the first MLB spring training facility built for two teams. Located in Peoria, Arizona, it is one of the larger spring training facilities with a capacity of 12,000.
One notable interesting tidbit about the complex: It was designed as a perfect circle with the field being in the middle, and everything revolving around the field. So no matter what activities you may want to partake in, they all take place surround the field so you always know where you are.
Fans often bring blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy the grass seating in the outfield. It is also a great spot for children as they can join the “Kids Club” and receive 10 free game tickets, batting cage opportunities and direct access to select players.
San Francisco Giants, Scottsdale Stadium
The 12,000 seat stadium has been home to the Giants since 1992. It was built in the same exact location as the original Scottsdale Stadium, which was built in 1956, in less than a year to avoid having the Giants play at another location.
Unlike many of the Arizona spring training facilities, Scottsdale Stadium is only used by one MLB team. Since it was remodeled, fans can now walk around the entire concourse and check out the newly added practice fields, shop at numerous Giants Dugout Stores and sample a vast variety of San Francisco themed foods.
When the Giants aren’t at spring training, the stadium is the home field to the Arizona Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League and the Arizona Giants of the Arizona Rookie League.
New York Yankees, Steinbrenner Field
Appropriately named after George Steinbrenner, the Yankees travel south to Tampa every February for spring training. With a capacity of 11,026, it is the largest spring training field in the Grapefruit League and is located across the street from Raymond James Stadium — the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This is a stadium of history, and its dimensions directly mimic the old Yankee Stadium while the scalloped grandstand facade is also meant to mimic the old stadium. At its time of completion, it was the first spring training stadium to include luxury suits, now commonplace in all spring training facilities.
The Tampa Yankees of the Florida State League and the Gulf Coast Yankees of the Gulf Coast League use Steinbrenner Field as their home field when the big league club isn’t at spring gaining.
Philadelphia Phillies, Bright House Field
If you are looking for a spring training facility that boasts a phenomenal party scene while being family-freindly at the same time, you must visit Bright House Field in Clearwater, Florida. Located just minutes from the beach, Philadelphia fans often make the most out of their visit to Bright House Field.
Serving the traditional Philly cheesesteak and crab fires at almost every concession stand, fans are never a far cry from tasting original Philadelphia foodie classics. Perhaps the most popular part of the stadium is the Tiki Pavilion beyond left field. Fans can indulge in some adult beverages and quality food, all while swapping stories of the glory days.
Slugger Pat Burrell would even frequent Tiki after his workouts.
With a capacity of 8,500, it is one of the more intimate spring training facilities in Florida. It is also home to the Class-A Clearwater Thrashers and the American Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament every year.