The boys of summer take their first swings of the new baseball season in Florida each spring. For
the 15 teams of the Grapefruit League, the state brings the added bonus of perfect temperatures
and bright blue skies. For fans, it’s a chance to see baseball’s biggest stars up close and
personal — thanks to the small, intimate stadiums — and at a fraction of the regular season
cost. Furthermore, the Florida spirit endows every game with a relaxed, beachy ambiance, with
everything from cabanas, picnic areas, and tiki bars. Find them all in West Palm Beach and Tampa,
home to more than half of the teams, but also much more than baseball. Let a day at the ballpark
serve as a springboard to the many attractions of these two Florida all-stars.
WEST PALM BEACH
Four major league teams call the Palm Beaches home for the spring:
Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals, and Miami
Marlins. The first two share FitTeam Ballpark, a 160-acre complex
with a 7,700 capacity stadium at the heart. Suites and party decks add
all-you-can-eat buffets and private bars, while the “Craft Corner” in
leftfield pours 32 craft beers at a time. The most inexpensive ticket is
perhaps the most enjoyable, providing access to the Banana Boat Lawn
overlooking the outfield. Simply spread out a blanket or towel and take
in the game — and the sun — in maximum relaxation. The complex
also includes the 12-acre Lincoln Park, home to a large children’s
playground, splash pad area, four lighted basketball courts, and a
1.8-mile walking trail.
Seventeen minutes away by car, in Jupiter, the St. Louis Cardinals and
Miami Marlins crack their bats at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. At just
under 7,000 seats, it keeps the ambiance intimate enough to almost feel
the wind off each swing of the bat or cut of the curveball. Fans also have
the opportunity to get out of their seats and step onto the field itself.
The First Pitch Experience puts you right on the mound itself to deliver a
strike, while the VIP Batting Practice lets you watch batting practice from
behind home plate. The Honorary Bat Kid Experience gives your child a
dugout view and high fives with Major Leaguers.
Although it’s easy to spend an entire day at the parks, budget as much
time as possible for the many sights of the West Palm Beach area,
starting with the Manatee Lagoon, where docile and charming “sea
cows” absorb the Florida sun in the shallow waters just off shore.
Witness the region’s diverse birdlife — including bald eagles, green
herons, and belted kingfishers — on one of many hikes at Winding
Waters Natural Area, or coo at rescued foxes, lions, tigers, snakes, and
owls at McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary. Find stunning coastal views on
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the lighthouse balcony at Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum. In the
evening, tie on a figurative bib at The Regional Kitchen & Public House,
helmed by Top Chef alumnus and James Beard–nominee for “Best
Chef: South,” Lindsay Autry, then nip over to the upscale Jupiter Beach
Resort & Spa for drinks and live entertainment in their swanky lounge.
GETTING THERE:
Jetblue and American Airlines both offer daily
nonstop flights from Regan National Airport
(DCA) to Palm Beach International Airport (PBI).
TAMPA
Since the 1880s, when baseball-loving Cuban immigrants arrived to
work in the cigar factories in Ybor City, Tampa has built an intimate
relationship with the National Pastime that makes it the de-facto spring
training capital of the state. Draw a 50-mile circle around Tampa and
find five of the 15 Grapefruit League teams — the Blue Jays in Dunedin,
the Phillies in Clearwater, the Pirates in Bradenton, and the Tigers
in Lakeland. But it’s the Bronx Bombers, aka the New York Yankees,
that call Tampa itself home and field the state’s largest spring training
facility — the 11,026-seat Steinbrenner Field. The 6,500-square foot
Bullpen Club, welcomes holiday parties, birthday parties, rehearsal
dinners, and more — all with direct views of the Yankee bullpen and
field. Create a beach-side feel by renting a Seminole Hard Rock Cabanas
directly next to the right field terrace.