Spring training for rookies
Tips for planning a warm-weather getaway to catch some pre-season baseball
Spring training is a chance for baseball fans to see teams practice and play exhibition games as they ready for the season. It holds all the promise of a new season in a more intimate, relaxed and less-expensive setting than the regular season. And with events taking place in one of two hubs — Arizona and Florida — from late February to early April, it also provides a bit of a break for the winter weary.
If you make the trip, a few things to consider:
1 Identify your goal
Are you hoping to see your favorite team or player? Are you going just to get a feel for the season? Or are you adding a bit of diversion to a family trip? There are a lot of games and far-flung locations involved in spring training, so you’ll need to focus your plans.
If you are a die-hard intent on seeing your team in its stadium, plan your schedule and hotel around that. If you plans are a bit more relaxed, consider visiting a less-popular stadium where tickets and accommodations may be cheaper. Or center your stay on other diversions in the area, and make the game your secondary destination.
2 Plan ahead
Spring training is popular — more than 3 million people attend games each year — so you will want to buy tickets ahead of time. Tickets prices vary by stadium, you can pay anywhere from $5 for a spot on the lawn to more than $50 for the best seats in the house. The majority of the seats hover around the $20 mark though. By comparison, the average price for a regular season ticket is $27.93.
The Major League Baseball website has schedule and ticketing information. MLB also has an app that provides schedules, scoreboards and more. Although some stadiums will sell tickets at the box office the day of a game, there are no guarantees.
3 Time it right
Weekend games tend to be the most popular, so consider a midweek game to avoid crowds. The timing of spring training also overlaps with some school’s spring break, so take that into account when planning flights and booking hotel rooms to avoid competition from other vacationers.
4 Take a break
Consider a diversion beyond baseball — this is vacation after all. So take advantage of other offerings in the area — a trip to the ocean, Disney World, the desert or even just the hotel swimming pool — to mix things up. If you really cannot get enough of baseball, try out the lawn seats for a game where things tend to be more relaxed.