Hit a Homerun – Travel for Spring Training
Spring Training’s in full swing, and fans are traveling south and west to see their favorite teams ready for the upcoming MLB season.
In Florida, several resorts offer Spring Training packages to make the travel planning easy, leaving you more time to record stats and seek autographs – and soak up the warm Florida sunshine.
If rooting for your home team means the St. Louis Cardinals or Miami Marlins, check out the Play Ball! Spring Training Package (from $324/night, promo code BALL, through March 27, 2014) at the Jupiter Beach Resort: 10% off best available rates on all room types; a welcome gift including a baseball, Sharpie and box of Cracker Jacks; $10 for a hotdog and drink at Roger Dean Stadium; and daily breakfast for two.
Or, bring the whole team and enjoy the Diamond Spring Training Package (from $520night, promo code DIAMOND, through March 27, 2014): stay in a superior suite, enjoy breakfast and the four of you will sit in a Field Box at Roger Dean Stadium. What’s more, you’ll get a “Day at the Stadium Experience,” which includes a personal stadium escort; behind-the-scenes tour of the clubhouse and complex; watch batting practice on the field; and throw out the ceremonial first pitch. If you’ve got kids 13 years or older with you, two can sit pre-game in the dugout for a photo and autograph opportunity.
A stay at the Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach puts you in close proximity of the Toronto Blue Jays (15 minutes), Philadelphia Phillies (15 minutes), New York Yankees (30 minutes) and Pittsburgh Pirates (about an hour), if any of those teams are who you cheer for. And with the Beach and Baseball Package (from $397/night, through March 31, 2014), you’ll not only stay in the fabulous resort, but receive a baseball for autographs, Cracker Jacks, two hotdogs and soft drinks at Tate Island Grill and breakfast for two.
If you can’t travel south to catch a game, and are in the Baltimore-area, there’s plenty of baseball to be seen there, too. Just three blocks west of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, you can visit the birthplace of one of baseball’s all-time greats, Babe Ruth. And, right now, the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum is hosting an exhibit, “O’ Say Can You See: The Star Spangled Banner in Sports,” featuring the link between baseball, the national anthem and Babe Ruth.
What are you waiting for? It’s Spring Training time – get out there and play ball!
