It’s February and groundhog Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow, which means spring is here – in Florida at least – and with it comes baseball.
The month-long spring training series leading up to the regular season drew approximately 1.4 million fans last year and, according to the Florida Sports Foundation, raked in $687.1 million in 2018.
This year’s Grapefruit League coincides with a bill in the Florida House of Representatives that seeks to stymie the use of money from tourist-development taxes and half-cent sales taxes on professional sports facilities.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for something new, the Atlanta Braves will be playing its games at the newly constructed CoolToday Park in North Port, and the Toronto Blue Jays will play at the recently renovated TD Ballpark in Dunedin.
In anticipation of the decade's first spring training, here’s what you need to know and where to find it.
New York Yankees
Pitchers and catchers report: Tuesday, Feb. 11
Position players report: Feb. 16
First full workout: Feb. 17
Where: George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1 Steinbrenner Drive, Tampa
First game: vs. Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1:05 p.m.
For tickets and more information, visit the team’s website.
Philadelphia Phillies
Pitchers and catchers report: Feb. 11
Position players report: Feb. 16
First full workout: Feb. 17
Where: Spectrum Field, 601 N Old Coachman Road, Clearwater
First game: at the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1:05 p.m.
Find tickets and their full schedule on the team’s website.
Toronto Blue Jays
Pitchers and catchers report: Feb. 12
Position players report: Feb. 16
First full workout: Feb. 17
Where: TD Ballpark, 373 Douglas Ave., Dunedin
First game: at the New York Yankees in Tampa on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1:05 p.m.
For tickets and any other information, visit the team’s website.
Detroit Tigers
Pitchers and catchers report: Feb. 11
Position players report: Feb. 16
First full workout: Feb. 17
Where: Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland
First game: vs. Southeastern University Fire on Friday, Feb. 21, at 1:05 p.m.
For tickets to either game or more information, visit its website.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Pitchers and catchers report: Feb. 10
Position players report: Feb. 16
First full workout: Feb. 17
Where: LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W, Bradenton
First game: vs. Minnesota Twins on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1:05 p.m.
For more information or to purchase tickets, you can visit the team’s website.
Baltimore Orioles
Pitchers and catchers report: Feb. 11
Position players report: Feb. 16
First full workout: Feb. 17
Where: Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St., Sarasota
First game: at Atlanta Braves in North Port on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1:05 p.m.
For a full list of games and to purchase tickets, visit the Orioles website.
Atlanta Braves
Pitchers and catchers report: Feb. 12
Position players report: Feb. 17
First full workout: Feb. 18
Where: CoolToday Park, 18800 West Villages Parkway, North Port
First game: vs. Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1:05 p.m.
To buy tickets or see the Braves’ full schedule, visit its website
Tampa Bay Rays
Pitchers and catchers report: Feb. 12
Position players report: Feb. 16
First full workout: Feb. 17
Where: Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte
First game: at Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1:05 p.m.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Rays’ website.
Minnesota Twins
Pitchers and catchers report: Feb. 11
Position players report: Feb. 16
First full workout: Feb. 17
Where: Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex, 14100 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers
First game: vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers on Friday, Feb. 21, at 6:05 p.m.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Twins’ website.
Boston Red Sox
Pitchers and catchers report: Feb. 11
Position players report: Feb. 16
First full workout: Feb. 17
Where: Jet Blue Park, 11500 Fenway South Drive, Fort Myers
First game: vs. Northeastern Huskies on Friday, Feb. 21, at 1:05 p.m.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Red Sox’s website.
New York Mets
Pitchers and catchers report: Feb. 10
Position players report: Feb. 14
First full workout: Feb. 16
Where: Clover Park, 525 NW Peacock Blvd., Port St. Lucie
First game: Saturday, Feb. 22 (split squad - at St. Louis Cardinals at 1:05 p.m., and vs. Miami Marlins at 1:10 p.m.)
For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Mets website.
St. Louis Cardinals
Pitchers and catchers report: Feb. 11
Position players report: Feb. 16
First full workout: Feb. 17
Where: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, 4751 Main St., Jupiter
First game: vs. New York Mets on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1:05 p.m.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Cardinals’ website.
Miami Marlins
Pitchers and catchers report: Feb. 12
Position players report: Feb. 16
First full workout: Feb. 17
Where: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, 4751 Main St., Jupiter.
First game: vs. New York Mets on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1:10 p.m.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Marlins’ website.
Houston Astros
Pitchers and catchers report: Feb. 11
Position players report: Feb. 16
First full workout: Feb. 17
Where: FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, 5444 Haverhill Road N, West Palm Beach
First game: vs. Washington Nationals on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 6:05 p.m.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Astros’ website.
Washington Nationals
Pitchers and catchers report: Feb. 12
Position players report: Feb. 17
First full workout: Feb. 18
Where: FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, 5444 Haverhill Road N, West Palm Beach
First game: vs. Houston Astros on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 6:05 p.m.For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Nationals’ website.
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