Braves spring training "on-field experience?"

[cgattis]

Anyone ever done this and/or know more about it than is given on the website? It basically just says "be behind home plate for batting practice." It's an extra $80 on top of ticket cost. Any chance I'll have a shot at autographs or pics with players during that time? They say that's not guaranteed, so I'm thinking it MIGHT happen. What else is the premium really buying you? Also, if you have done it, did you have time to eat after that, but before game time? I'd hate to shell out $$$$$ and end up eating nachos for lunch ! LOL! TIA for anything any DIS'ers can tell me!

 

[cgattis]

Bump! Anyone done this or heard about it?

 

[huskies90]

We will be there March 8 and we are considering it too. So I am also interested in if anyone has any feedback.

 

[cgattis]

Hopefully we'll get some feedback! But I've already purchased mine (DS's birthday), so let's hope it's worth the $$$!!! I'll come back and post either way. Hope we both get good weather! Have a great trip!

 

[Sandy Fisher]

Wasn't going to reply to your post because I didn't personally experience the on-field deal at the spring training games. DH and I lived in central FL for just over 5 years and went to many spring training games at Wide World of Sports. We actually got small packages of tickets each year.
We always went early for the games to get a good parking space, have lunch, etc. We often saw the people on the field waiting to get pictures or autographs.
My own observance was that if you weren't there VERY early, you'd miss the Braves batting practice completely. I don't know what time to recommend you be there -- unless purchasing the pass got you definite information.
We always ended up watching the "other" team take batting practice. So if the other team is the one you're interested in, that would work more easily.
Maybe someone will reply. We also noticed that a lot of the team members who would stand near the dugout and sign shirts, balls, etc. that kids rolled down the dugout roof were the less well known players.
May have been coincidence, but we know the Braves players well -- used to know them even better. And we knew the regulars by sight.
Good luck and enjoy the game. It's one of the things we really miss, in addition to Disney. Loved the spring training games. It's a nice stadium and the games are a lot of fun!

 

[cgattis]

Well thanks for that info, anyway! For a 1:30 game, we were told to be there at 10:30. I read on one of the spring training sites that people hang out in the player parking lots to try to get autographs...,but that seemed a little creepy and intrusive to me. Do you think the players feel that way??

We're super excited to go. Big Evan Gattis fans . Got good seats for one game, grass seats for another. Thought that would be fun.

Thanks for responding!!

 

[huskies90]

Hopefully we'll get some feedback! But I've already purchased mine (DS's birthday), so let's hope it's worth the $$$!!! I'll come back and post either way. Hope we both get good weather! Have a great trip!

Cool. Let us know how it is. Will you be at the 3/2 game or the 3/8 game?

I read on one of the spring training sites that people hang out in the player parking lots to try to get autographs...,but that seemed a little creepy and intrusive to me. Do you think the players feel that way??

When I was a kid, I would hang out all the time just outside the player’s parking lot at Shea Stadium to try to get autographs as the players drove out. Sometimes (but rarely) they would stop. One time my friend and I squeezed through a gate to get into the actual lot and stopped a few players for autographs as they were walking to their car (Darryl Strawberry, George Foster and Mookie Wilson). Now THAT was creepy. My favorite quote from Mookie Wilson after he asked us how we got back there and we answered the gate was open, he said: “The gate was open…righhhhht.” lol

 

[cgattis]

Cool. Let us know how it is. Will you be at the 3/2 game or the 3/8 game? lol

We're doing Phillies on 3/11, whole hog! Then Nats on 3/12, grass seats. Looking forward to it!!

 

[shan23877]

I have never experienced any games at WDW, but about 9 years ago my DH and I went to Arizona to attend some Cubs spring training games.

Our experience there was that several players signed before the games for 10-15 minutes at a time, and were really gracious about it. We took baseballs just in case, and used a regular pen-the players didn't seem to like sharpies.

It's true that some "big name" players didn't sign, but some did. Nomar is the one that really stood out to me. He signed every afternoon that we were there for up to 30 minutes.

Plan to have your kids (or yourself!) stand near the home dugout for about an hour before the game.

Have fun!

 

[huskies90]

We're doing Phillies on 3/11, whole hog! Then Nats on 3/12, grass seats. Looking forward to it!!

hmmmm....I think we are talking about 2 different experiences. The one I am referring to is for AP holders and it's on 3/2 or 3/8. It includes tickets in the Passholder suite, a lunch buffet and the on field experience to watch batting practice. I did not know the on field part was open to everyone. Interesting. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/p...holder-special-offers/braves-spring-training/ Passholder Suite Days for Atlanta Braves Spring Training This March, come see the Atlanta Braves in action against other Major League Baseball teams during the 2014 Passholder Suite Days at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Passholders can enjoy access to the Passholder suiteavailable for 2 great games this season! Event Highlights Tickets to this event include a variety of special experiences: Access to the Passholder suite Passes to get on the field for batting practice before the game (tickets with on-field passes only) A full ballpark buffet, served from noon to 1:30 PM A chance to rub elbows with some Disney Characters An opportunity for kids to run the bases after the game Dates and Times Choose from 2 games in March 2014or purchase tickets for both games! Sunday, March 2, 2014 vs. the Detroit Tigers Saturday, March 8, 2014 vs. the Miami Marlins Suites open at 10:00 AM and games start at 1:05 PM. Pricing Explore ticket types and prices for this exciting Passholder event: Ticket With On-Field Passes: $112 per person for Guests ages 10 and up; $90 per person for Guests ages 3 to 9 Ticket Without On-Field Passes: $97 per person for Guests ages 10 and up; $75 per person for Guests ages 3 to 9

 

[cgattis]

From what I read online for the public on-field experience, I think it is just the first bullet of the AP event, and then you get the food, characters, etc. on top of that, where we won't. But it would be awesome if the kids got to run the bases!

 

[richmo]

...Then Nats on 3/12, grass seats. Looking forward to it!!

I actually enjoy the grass seats at Champion Stadium on a nice day. Bring a towel to sit on.

One tip I've used recently: if you can be patient, you can often pick up inexpensive grass seats on StubHub a week or so before the game (they're usually electronic download). I think I paid $10-$12 last year for a couple of games. There'll also be some regular seating, but not a lot to pick from. And availability probably isn't there as much for "big" games (Yankees, Red Sox, etc.)

 

[BigDaddy#1]

So.....was the $80 worth it? Planning on going to the Yankees game and am curious if the additional expenditure is worth it.

 

[cgattis]

So.....was the $80 worth it? Planning on going to the Yankees game and am curious if the additional expenditure is worth it.

Are you asking about the on-field experience? If so, I have to say no. People were still allowed into the stadium to watch BP, so they would just walk down to the first base dugout and lean over the fence. Players would walk right past those of us who paid $$$ to stand on the field and sign for them. I'm also a bit biased because my DS wanted to meet Evan Gattis, obviously because we share a name. This was his birthday present. So this guy is only in his second year (after washing out) and we are pretty much the only ones there with HIS number (my son with his little jersey), and he won't come over. Finally got him to turn his head and raise a finger (not even long enough for me to snap a pic) and that was it. Some players with WAY more career than he has were very nice, though. But we could've gotten most of the same interaction from the fence for free. I really think if Disney is going to charge such a premium for that "experience," they ought to highly suggest to the team that they show a little preference to that section.