Grapefruit League Stadiums
A Guide to the Stadiums of the Florida Grapefruit League
Fans from all around the country flock to Florida every year for the Florida Grapefruit League. On any given day, you can pick from up to 11 different Major League games most within driving distance. Below is a guide to help fans navigate to the different Florida spring training stadiums.
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Grapefruit League Map
 1. Dunedin Stadium - Blue Jays
2. Bright House Networks Field - Phillies
3. Charlotte Sports Park - Rays
4. Steinbrenner Field - Yankees
5. McKechnie Field - Pirates
6. Ed Smith Stadium
7. Hammond Stadium - Twins
8. City of Palms Park - Red Sox
9. Joker Marchant Stadium - Tigers
10. Chain of Lakes Park
11. Osceola Stadium - Astros
12. Champion Stadium - Braves
13. Space Coast Stadium - Nationals
14. Dodgertown
15. Tradition Field - Mets
16. Roger Dean Stadium - Marlins/Cardinals
17. Ft Lauderdale Stadium - Orioles |
| 1. Dunedin Stadium |
Dunedin Stadium is a little slice of Canada on the west coast of Florida. The Toronto Blue Jays call Dunedin Stadium their spring training home. The Blue Jays don't have a tremendous spring training following, but games against the Red Sox and Yankees always draw a big crowd.
Dunedin Stadium Schedule l Dunedin Stadium Seating Chart |
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| 2. Bright House Networks Field |
Home to the Philadelphia Phillies, this stadium opened its doors in 2004. It is one of the newest and nicest spring training venues in the Grapefruit League. In addition to great site lines and comfortable seating they serve the best Philly Cheese steaks in Florida.
Bright House Networks Field l Bright House Networks Field Seating Chart |
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| 3. Charlotte Sports Park |
Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte is the new home of the Tampa Bay Rays. The stadium underwent major renovations when they welcomed the Rays in 2009. Also used by the local community for concerts, festivals and expos, Charlotte Sports Park is a welcome addition to the Grapefruit League.
Charlotte Sports Park Schedule l
Charlotte Sports Park Seating Chart |
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| 4. Steinbrenner Field |
George M. Steinbrenner Field is the premier venue of the Florida Grapefruit League. Renamed in 2008 from Legends Field after the long-time Yankees owner, it is home to the New York Yankees, who spared no expense on this ballpark. It is referred to as a mini Yankee Stadium because it has the same look and feel as Yankee Stadium. Even the dimensions of the field are the same! Games here are always packed full of Yankee fans. If you are in Tampa on a March afternoon, get to the Steinbrenner Field to catch the Bronx bombers in action!
Steinbrenner Field Schedule l Steinbrenner Field Field Seating Chart |
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| 5. McKechnie Field |
McKechnie Field, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates was completely rebuilt in 1993 making it one of the newer stadiums of the Grapefruit League. If you are going to catch a game there, be sure to head out early because parking is scarce. Overall a good place to see a game.
McKechnie Field Schedule l McKechnie Field Seating Chart |
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| 6. Ed Smith Stadium |
The Cincinnati Reds played at Ed Smith Stadium for the final time in 2009. The Reds join the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Stadium in Arizona beginning in 2010. It is a great ballpark to catch a spring training game and is a favorite among the spring training faithful in Sarasota.
Ed Smith Stadium Schedule l Ed Smith Stadium Seating Chart |
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| 7. Hammond Stadium |
Hammond Stadium, home of the Minnesota Twins, is a site to be seen. While walking up to the main gate, you may feel like you are at the Kentucky Derby. The facade was made to look like Churchill Downs. If you find yourself in Ft Myers be sure to visit the baseball history museum at nearby Terry Park Stadium. It chronicles the unique history of baseball in Southern Florida.
Hammond Stadium Schedule l Hammond Stadium Seating Chart |
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| 8. City of Palms Park |
The home of the Boston Red Sox is one of the nicer spring training venues in Florida. Of course the Sox could play in an alley behind a shopping mall and still draw 15,000 loyal fans a game! Most of the seats on the infield are shaded, keeping Red Sox fans from turning red in the Florida sun. The City of Palms Park is the place to be if you are in Ft Myers. Games here are always are always packed and a lot of fun, so long as you are a Red Sox fan!
City of Palms Park Schedule l City of Palms Park Seating Chart |
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| 9. Joker Marchant Stadium |
Joker Marchant Stadium was recently renovated in 2003. The Tigers don't draw as well as some of the other teams in the Grapefruit League. If you are a Tigers fan this is great, plenty of seats to be had! If you are a casual baseball fan looking to see some big names, look for games vs the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox or Braves. The tickets will be cheaper here than in the home stadiums of these teams.
Joker Marchant Stadium Schedule l Joker Marchant Stadium Seating Chart |
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| 10. Chain of Lakes Park |
The former home of the Cleveland Indians, Chain of Lakes Park is considered by many as the most scenic spring training stadium in Florida. It was named "Chain of Lakes" for a reason, as it sits on the shore of nearby Lake Lulu. It was built in the mid 60's and still retains that classic look. Most of the seats on the infield are shaded keeping fans from the hot Florida Sun.
Chain of Lakes Park Schedule l Chain of Lakes Park Seating Chart |
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| 12. Champion Stadium |
This stadium is one of the nicest in all of the Grapefruit League. It is very large, seating 9,500 fans, but the the designers have laid it out so 90% of the seats are between the bases! It is a gem of a ballpark and is very family friendly with Disney World located right next door.
Champion Stadium Schedule l Champion Stadium Seating Chart |
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| 13. Space Coast Stadium |
The Washington Nationals made their Florida debut at Space Coast Stadium in 2007. It is a good place to see a game but if you plan on catching a game here, be sure to bring some sunscreen. Only the top rows of the 200 level down the line offer shade in the mid-day.
Space Coast Stadium Schedule l Space Coast Stadium Seating Chart |
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| 14. Dodgertown |
The former home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgertown, also known as Holman Stadium, is about as basic and as low-key as it gets. When you walk in you will be surprised as to the small size of the place. There are only 17 rows of seats between the bases, making it seem like a little league stadium with big league players! Talk about getting up close and personal. The atmosphere is very laid back making it a great place to get autographs.
Dodgertown Schedule l Dodgertown Seating Chart |
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| 16. Roger Dean Stadium |
Roger Dean Stadium is one of the the busier ballparks in Florida during the month of March. It is home to both the St Louis Cardinals and the Florida Marlins and is a favorite among Florida baseball fans. The stadium offers no shade so bring some sunscreen and a hat.
Roger Dean Stadium Schedule l Roger Dean Stadium Seating Chart |
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About the Grapefruit League
The Grapefruit League as a whole is the largest sporting event east of the Mississippi. Every year, millions of fans flock to Florida Spring training stadiums to partake in baseball nirvana. Eighteen Major League teams make the Florida their baseball home for the month of March.
To get the most out of your baseball vacation try to hit as many stadiums as possible. The stadiums of Florida's Grapefruit League are sprawled across the state from Orlando and Tampa to Ft. Myer's and Fort Lauderdale. Staying someplace centrally located will allow you more games to choose from. The Tampa area seems to be a good bet for many. There are four stadiums rather close while Kissimmee (Astros) and Orlando (Braves) are not too far away.
For Red Sox Nation the hot spot this year will be Ft. Myers, FL. The Twins are not a bad draw either.
A quick drive down Florida's east coast will get you to the Mets, Marlins and Cardinals.
No matter where you go, you can't go wrong. There is a certain atmosphere in the spring Florida air that is hard to describe, you just have to experience it for yourself. If you get the chance, try to catch a couple of games this season. Enjoy the warm Florida sun, giant hot dogs, draft beer and Major League baseball in tiny stadiums. Does it get any better than this?
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