Attend Baseball Spring Training
March 11th, 2010
The Boys of Summer are…well…not back, but on their way. In the months of February and March they’re in Spring Training, which makes going to watch them a perfect Spring Break weekend get-away. Visit your favorite Major League Baseball team as they hone their skills for the upcoming season. If you want to meet and greet your favorite players, collect autographs, and commune with fellow fans, a Spring Training break is the perfect plan.
How to Make it Happen
Location. Location. Location. That’s the key to pulling off this Staycation without spending a lot of money. But if you live near one of the hosting southern states, it can be done. Admission is charged for Spring Break scrimmages, but it is still considerably cheaper than regular season games. If you are staying overnight, be sure to plan ahead as hotels will fill up. Budget in money for food, although if you are road tripping from a nearby state, save money by packing a cooler with sandwiches and drinks for the car ride.
For a complete list of where and when your favorite team will be practicing and playing, consult the Major League Baseball website, MLB.com, or visit individual team websites (you can link to these from the MLB site). Arizona and Florida are the hosts for all Spring Training sessions. If you do live up North—or just too far away to drive––you still might want to splurge a little for the chance to see your favorite players up close. Look for organized air/hotel packages arranged by team travel agencies that often provide discounted, group deals. But start looking in early winter––you will need to plan ahead for this.
If a trip to Spring Training is just out of the question, try to attend a Fan Appreciation Day hosted prior to Opening Day. Teams will list these events on their websites.
Follow-up Activities
- Attend an actual baseball game—MLB, minor leagues or even college.
- Join a company or neighborhood softball team.
- Play catch with the kids in the backyard and maybe help them start a baseball card collection.
- Host a baseball movie night. Some suggestions include: Bull Durham, Eight Men Out, The Natural, Major League and Field of Dreams.
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