![]() This ballpark, formerly known as Dunedin Stadium, underwent a $12 million renovation in 2002, and has a more intimate feel than most. Old Coachman Road.įLORIDA AUTO EXCHANGE STADIUM: The Toronto Blue Jays have spent the winter in Dunedin ever since the expansion team came into existence in 1977. Go north through the Drew Street intersection. ![]() Cross over Highway 19 and at the next stoplight (Old Coachman Road), turn right (north). Bright House has a 360-degree main concourse that opens out to the playing field, with a popular tiki-hut pavilion in left field.įrom Tampa, take Highway 60 (Courtney Campbell Causeway) west. The 2008 World Series champs moved into 7,300-seat Bright House Field in 2004 after playing at the old Jack Russell Stadium a few miles away since 1955. “Then Tampa followed suit.”īRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS FIELD: Clearwater has been the winter home of the Philadelphia Phillies since 1948. “Clearwater is one of the oldest sites,” he said. Petersburg, and the Brooklyn Dodgers, who set up shop in Clearwater from 1923-40, according to de Quesada. ![]() Louis Browns set up camp in neighboring Pinellas County, the Chicago Cubs were in Tampa proper and other early camps in the area included the Boston Braves, who worked out in St. Twelve of Florida’s 14 spring training stadiums are within about a 2 1/2-hour drive of Tampa, with the other two camps about 3 1 / 2hours away.īaseball greats like Al Lopez, Wade Boggs, Tony La Russa, Dwight Gooden and Lou Piniella all have roots here, but Alejandro de Quesada, author of the book “Baseball in Tampa Bay,” says organized preseason baseball in the area is as old as spring training itself, dating back as far as 19. It’s as much a part of spring training as workouts and exhibition games: Visitors from the chilly Northeast, Midwest, Canada and elsewhere enjoying the sport while sitting in the Florida sun in short-sleeved shirts and Bermudas.įans have been traveling to Central and South Florida for decades to get a glimpse of veteran stars and new prospects alike during spring training, and the epicenter of the Grapefruit League is Tampa.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |