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Spring Training Tips?

Hey all,

Thinking of traveling to Tampa for Spring Training this year and never have been before. Autographs are a priority but i'm also in it for the experience.

I was thinking Tampa because I am a Yankees fan but have considered Arizona as well because of the close proximity of so many good teams.

Are practice fields available for spectators to visit right when pitchers and catchers report?

Are there any other general tips from anyone who goes often or has experience?

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Permalink Reply by Joel B on January 6, 2019 at 11:32am

Also, is there any practicing on the weekends or only week days?

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Permalink Reply by Steve on January 6, 2019 at 3:37pm

I can only speak for Arizona, but the best place here has always been the Peoria Sports Complex. As far as getting the Padres, you have access to the back practice fields with the players walking right past you, especially when they go in for lunch. Years ago, the Mariners, who share the complex, gated off the fields to keep people away from Griffey and Randy Johnson.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel S. on January 6, 2019 at 5:40pm

Go to the grapefruit league spring training every once in awhile, including this February. We definitely prefer the practices to the games but have tickets to see the Braves/Nationals game on Feb 25. The player/fan interaction at practices is awesome, especially if you have kids. Practices are during the week, as well as weekends and usually start around 9:30 or 10:00. Plus, they are free. Maytry to catch the yankees this year but have not seen them yet.

overall, its great!

this is a pretty useful website

https://www.springtrainingconnection.com

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Permalink Reply by Joel B on January 6, 2019 at 6:03pm

Yes i actually found that site just after I posted this. Thanks for the info!

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Permalink Reply by Daniel S. on January 6, 2019 at 6:23pm

If you get tickets to a game, call the box office. Tickets for two of us would have cost $75-100 more online. We were able to get two tickets in the first row above the braves dugout for $90.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Meyer on January 6, 2019 at 6:32pm

I’ve always had better luck graphing during the practices. Once the actual games start it starts becoming a madhouse and many players start slowing down their signing.