Spring Training-March 2005

[mom23boys]

We booked BWV in early March (3-7) for spring training. We are Phillies and Yankee fans and know they are in Clearwater & Tampa, but we do not mind driving the distance.

My question, has anyone done Spring Training? Besides the Braves who else is around Orlando?

We will be there for three full days, one for Phillies and Yankees, maybe two if needed.

Thanks for helping.

Sharon

 

[loveswdw]

This will be our first trip to spring training too! DH is a HUGE NYY fan so we too will be "commuting" to Tampa.

I have done searches several times on spring training to see what to expect. You might try that. There's usually a good number of prior posts about it. In fact, I've asked similar questions myself so you might search.

We are trying for NYY vs. Braves (at WWSC) and hoping (keeping fingers crossed) that it will be in the same week it has been in for the last 5 years (March 12-18th-- same week as our reservations). The tickets for this game are hard to get I've been told.

If the schedule is released later this year and the time frame has changed I'll just change our reservations to whatever is available. Right now we have BCV but changing next week to OKW if possible.

I think there is a team who train in Vero Beach but I'm not sure which one it is.

loveswdw

 

[Happy2BGrumpy]

Dodgers are in Vero, Expos are in Melbourne - you may want to double check that one as they have been all over the place in regular season, Astros are in Kissimee and I think the Indians are in Winter Haven.

 

[mom23boys]

loveswdw

Do you thing we are going too early in March. I have looked at the Phillies and other schedules from last year and they all seem to start in early March. I also called the Phillies office they said the schedule will come out in Oct-Nov. Maybe we should switch to March 10-14. The only thing is airfare is pretty expensive, family of 5 is $1200. I know its a busy time, but that is high, hopefully Southwest will have cheaper airfare. We are not going to the parks as we are going home again in Oct.

Having a Yankee fan is hard in the house when your home team is the chocking Phillies. LOL

Happy2BGrumpy

Thanks for the info. I also looked on the web for other sights. They all seem to be in driving distance.

 

[PamOKW]

Loveswdw has the timeframe about right to try and catch the Mets and/or Yankees against the Braves. The schedule will post on the Atlanta Braves. Tickets are purchased through Ticketmaster. Disney sells season tickets and last year they also had a smaller package with some of the prime games (like the Yankees). Keep an eye on the Wide World of Sports section of the Disney site to see if they do something like this again.

Pay close attention to when ticket sales will start if you want the Yankee game. I think sales start during the first week of January. The Yankee and Mets games sell out almost instantly.

 

[jimmytammy]

mom23boys

I didnt know there were any other teams besides the Braves

 

[wdwfan1]

The Astros are in Kissimmee. Last March we saw NYM vs Atlanta in WDW. Great game.

 

[mom23boys]

Jimmytammy

After tonight another loss, I think the season is over.

Being from Philly you get used to the disappointments, like the Phillies and oh yeah the Eagles start tomorrow night.

But with 3 boys and a DH its hard not to watch, every night its sports something.

 

[goofy4dvc]

We've made resservations at WDW to go to our first spring training games. DH is a real baseball fan and has always wanted to do this. We are planning to catch those around Orlando and the Tampa areas and those in between. (On another trip, we will stay at VB and catch the games in that area.)

We are going March 19-26. Have made ressies at VWL, but hope to switch to SSR at 7-month window which is very soon.

I would also like to hear from other people who have done this and might have some suggestions or information. I found these websites that have been fairly helpful. The schedule is outdated, but will at least give you an idea of what teams are in the Grapefruit League and where they are based.

Let's hear it from those of you who have been there, done that, and want to share your experience with others!!

http://www.springtrainingmagazine.com/grapesched04.html

http://funandsun.com/1tocf/sportf/bball2000.html

http://holeywell.tripod.com/

 

[loveswdw]

According to that cool day by day schedule that goofy4dvc posted the link to I don't think that your trip is too early. Looks like there are games played everyday during that time (3rd-7th). We only picked 12th-18th because that's the week the Yankees have played the Braves at WWSC for the last 5 years.

Hope you guys get tickets and like you, I'm hoping that airfare comes down between now and then.

We are looking at over $300 pp on Delta right now. I've never paid that much for tix to WDW. Not planning on starting either. We may just have to start flying SWA.

loveswdw

 

[UK Paul]

We (4 adults, 4 kids) flew from the Uk at end Feb & early March this year specifically to catch some spring training games. The Phillies new spring training stadium at Clearwater is very impressive (1.5 hrs drive no more from WDW) and we saw them beat the Yankees in the first ever game at the new stadium. Easy to book tickets via the phone or the web but get in early (tickets on sale first or second week in January). Also saw the Braves at WDW - easier to get tickets for them & stadium also good and Sports Cafe well worth a trip for a meal and watching banks of TV screens for hokey/basketball games etc. We also went to 2 Tampa Bay Lightening Games. In fact we liked it so much we bought 180 points at SSR and looking forward to many trips to come.

In addition to Phillies, Yankees (who play at Tampa) & Braves there are as a poster above says the Astros at Kissimmee, Indians and Tigers at Winter Haven/Lakeland, other teams at Melbourne (nearish to Vero beach) and others closer to Miami - all in the Grapefruit League.

Was fortunate enough to get back to Tampa with work at Easter and caught a Devil Rays game at St Petesburg - impressive indoor (if a little old now) stadium.

Cheers Paul

 

[PamOKW]

Paul, are you a Yank living in England or an Englishman who's been bit by the baseball bug?

 

[jimmytammy]

My advice to anyone wanting to see the Braves at WWOS, go during the week and go see a less popular team. This way the stadium isnt full, which means better chance for autographs. Also better chance for good seats.

We went to see Braves/Yanks last March. It was a great time!!

 

[mom23boys]

Thanks for the replys, We really want to go that early to celebrate my middle sons 6th birthday, and with testing after Easter Break, I do not want my older son to miss school around Easter, we only get two days off.

I am a little nervous about the airfare. We have enough FF miles for one ticket, but with three children, I want to fly when I want not when the FF miles are available.

Southwest is only scheduling through Jan 14, does anyone know when they will be available in March.

I did find out that Phillies and Yankees tickets go on sale in early January. I have to say, really do not care about the Braves (sorry jimmytammy), but if we can get tickets we will go.

I am getting excited for next year. I just took my older sons (10 and 5) to the Phillies game today, they lost (big shock!!). The new Ballpark is awsome. We had a great time.

Any other info on airfare or tickets let me know.

Thanks, Sharon

 

[UK Paul]

To Pam,

An englishman bitten by the bug really. We get an American sports channel (NASN) on satellite in the UK - shows approx 180+ live MLB games from ESPN , Fox Sports etc includes many NHL games as well and my nephew plays Ice hockey semi professional level in the UK.

Watched the Yankees at the Mariners live last night - close game.

Paul

 

[PamOKW]

Paul, that's great! I've got a brother who'd love to take a "baseball" vacation. It's on my list to help him out someday staying at DVC in WDW and Vero. I've made several offers but it hasn't fit into his family's plans -- yet.