The Boys of Spring

In Florida the middle of February through the month of March means baseball is back. Big League baseball comes to Florida for spring training. Teams have been coming to Florida since the late 1800's to train in the warm weather. The Philadelphia Phillies were the first team to train in Florida when they came to Jacksonville in 1889. In Tampa spring training began in 1913 when the Chicago Cubs came to town. 

 

35 Florida cities have hosted teams in the Grapefruit League over the years with Tampa and St Pete having hosted teams the most at 87 years.

During those years all of the greats of the game have played on spring training fields in Florida

Mickey Mantle in St Pete

Yogi under the same tree at Huggins Stengle Field 

They don't come any greater than this...Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig under the palm trees in St Pete

Tampa has hosted several teams over the years including the Cincinnati Reds during the Big Red Machine years. Nowadays the New York Yankees call Tampa home in the spring playing at beautiful George Steinbrenner Field

The practice fields outside Steinbrenner Field

There's even a monument park out front to honor the Yankee greats

The atmosphere in the spring is casual and laid back. More fan friendly as players are more willing to interact with the fans in the intimate stadiums. Steinbrenner Field is the largest stadium holding 11,000 but most stadiums hold 7,000 or less

The Blue Jays stadium in Dunedin is one of the smallest and is a great place to watch a game as you are right on top of the field

Brighthouse Field in Clearwater home of the Philadelphia Phillies

  

Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland home of the Detroit Tigers

One of the oldest...beautiful McKechnie Field in Bradenton home of the Pittsburgh Pirates

Where do the Atlanta Braves go in the spring ? They go to Disney World !!  Disney Sports Complex

Last but certainly not least..Port Charlotte...home of OUR Tampa Bay Rays

Florida...beaches..beautiful weather...and baseball