2009 Spring Training

jtope232 · 08-18-2008, 08:49 PM

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to start a thread about 2009 Florida Spring Training. If you know which teams are staying in Florida or any other info, please post here.

Thanks,
JTope232

ringer · 08-18-2008, 10:10 PM

Same teams as last year minus Dodgers and Indians. I believe the Reds move to Port Charlotte, but otherwise no other changes for 2009, unless the Orioles don't get FAA approval to expand their Ft. Lauderdale facility. In which case they would likely move to Vero.

StevesBaseballAutos · 08-18-2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ringer

I believe the Reds move to Port Charlotte,

Reds are staying in Sarasota untill 2010 then there going to Goodyear AZ
the Rays are suppose to move to Port Charlotte

NickHanson · 08-21-2008, 08:51 PM

* Atlanta Braves: Champion Stadium, Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World
* Baltimore Orioles: Fort Lauderdale Stadium, Ft. Lauderdale
* Boston Red Sox: City of Palms Park, Fort Myers
* Cincinnati Reds: Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota (moving to Goodyear, AZ in 2010.)
* Detroit Tigers: Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland
* Florida Marlins: Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter
* Houston Astros: Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee
* Minnesota Twins: Hammond Stadium, Ft. Myers
* New York Mets: Tradition Field, Port St. Lucie
* New York Yankees: Steinbrenner Field, Tampa
* Philadelphia Phillies: Bright House Field, Clearwater
* Pittsburgh Pirates: McKechnie Field, Bradenton
* St. Louis Cardinals: Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter
* Tampa Bay Rays: Charlotte Sports Park, Port Charlotte
* Toronto Blue Jays: Knology Park, Dunedin
* Washington Nationals: Space Coast Stadium, Viera

Thanks to Wikipedia

AutographLegend55 · 08-21-2008, 09:31 PM

On a side note, the trainer for the GCL Orioles confirmed that the Orioles will train in Sarasota on Clark Rd. for 1 more year, then off to Vero.

NickHanson · 08-21-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutographLegend55

On a side note, the trainer for the GCL Orioles confirmed that the Orioles will train in Sarasota on Clark Rd. for 1 more year, then off to Vero.

That's good news.. I really like their facility.

btrochlil22 · 08-21-2008, 10:12 PM

The Rays in Port Charlotte is gonna be awesome. Finally a team close to Ft. Myers besides the Red Sux.

ringer · 08-21-2008, 11:08 PM

* Baltimore Orioles: Fort Lauderdale Stadium, Ft. Lauderdale
* Boston Red Sox: City of Palms Park, Fort Myers
* Cincinnati Reds: Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota (moving to Goodyear, AZ in 2010.)
* Detroit Tigers: Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland
* Minnesota Twins: Hammond Stadium, Ft. Myers
* New York Mets: Tradition Field, Port St. Lucie
* New York Yankees: Steinbrenner Field, Tampa
* Philadelphia Phillies: Bright House Field, Clearwater
* Pittsburgh Pirates: McKechnie Field, Bradenton
* Tampa Bay Rays: Charlotte Sports Park, Port Charlotte
* Toronto Blue Jays: Knology Park, Dunedin

I haven't been to the above minor league facilities. How are they? Any of them difficult and not worth the visit?

AutographLegend55 · 08-21-2008, 11:21 PM

Baltimore minors is in Sarasota, one of the best ever. Complete access, no security.

Boston can get crowded, and some asshole on a cart chases you away, they won't let you in til like 9-930. Still pretty good access wise.

Reds is so so. If you can recognize players coming in, they park in the general parking. Once inside, no clubhouse access, you are stuck in the middle and it's all fenced.

Tigers, don't even bother, waste of time.

Twins is good, like Red Sox with less people.

Mets is set up like O's, haven't been there since 90's, heard reports of security not letting you stand near clubhouse this year making life miserable.

Yankees, prison, worst of them all, we hit them on the road.

Phillies, one of the best.

Pirates, same as Reds, except no access to getting them coming in, they stay on site. Only allowed between the 4 fields.

Rays, we will see, Charlotte was the mecca when Rangers were there, prob will suck now if trends continue.

Jays, think Reds and Pirates, but a little better, great to get opposing team.

I think I met you in Jupiter this spring during my 1,200 in one day massacre.

19Braves77 · 08-21-2008, 11:24 PM

Detroit Tigers: Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland
Pittsburgh Pirates: McKechnie Field, Bradenton
Toronto Blue Jays: Knology Park, Dunedin

Didn't like Tigers stadium graphing inside, liked the outside
Pirates is great inside and out
Blue Jays parking is a mess but smallest crowds I have seen at ST games in the middle of the game schedule. Guess its not worth the drive

This year going to pratices instead of actually games.

jgrogers1978 · 08-21-2008, 11:50 PM

spring training is about the only vacation that i look forward to. i go to surprise for the rangers. practice and games are both good.

ringer · 08-22-2008, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutographLegend55

I think I met you in Jupiter this spring during my 1,200 in one day massacre.

I was there the day the Cardinals Minor leaguers came over the the MArlins minor lg side and played. I was also there the next day. We killed! I remember graveline, Doug, and jmoak were there. A couple other North Carolinians were there, but there are so many I can't keep them straight.

I might have to hit that again this year. But my dad, who wasn't with me last year, wants to hit the gulf coast side. I can probably talk him into doing both. He's never been to Jupiter.

NickHanson · 08-22-2008, 02:10 AM

Fort Myers is probably pretty good minor league wise, but don't plan on going to one of the pre-ST "practices" they hold.. it's a freaking madhouse. A few players will sign but from what I experienced, it's not worth sweating your a$$ off.

Sarasota and the Orioles is CAKE minor league wise. I would definitely recommend going there if you go to Florida for ST. It's so easy to rack it's not even funny.. like one of the previous posters said, there's complete access, no security, no fences keeping you from the players.. you can pretty much walk into the dugout (they might frown upon that

) and ask someone for their autograph. You can also rack on the broken bats, they will give them to you if you ask.. I've yet to be denied.

I'm hoping Port Charlotte will be awesome since it'll be a 10 minute drive from me, but I'm not counting on it. They'll probably design it like a lot of parks so it's very hard to get an autograph. However, I'm sure the minor league fields will be easy.