January 15, 200818 yr It's getting closer folks! Pitchers and catchers report to Jupiter on my birthday this year (Feb. 17). And because I am sick and tired of the same endless and useless posts about Norman Braman, the stadium negotiations, who is going to start at 3B, why are we the laughing stock, etc., etc., etc., it's time to get some optimism back into this here hizzouse!! Something to get the spring back in your step, something to get your toes tingling. That's right, the four best words in all of sports: PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT With the release of the Spring Training schedules (thank goodness I picked up a USA Today yesterday while waiting for my flight at Tampa International Airport), the Second Annual SoFlaFish & EvenLittlerSoFlaFish Spring Training Tour is finalized. As is my desire for 2008, I plan on hitting sites that I missed last season. Here is the confirmed schedule: SAT, March 1, 2008: Marlins vs. Cardinals, Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, FL SUN, March 2, 2008: Mets vs. Dodgers, Holman Stadium, Vero Beach, FL MON, March 3, 2008: Braves vs. Mets, Tradition Field, Port St. Lucie, FL TUE, March 4, 2008: Yankees vs. Blue Jays, Knology Park, Dunedin, FL WED, March 5, 2008: Braves vs. Indians, Chain of Lakes Park, Winter Haven, FL THU, March 6, 2008: Rays vs. Phillies, Bright House Networks Stadium, Clearwater, FL FRI, March 7, 2008: Tigers vs. Braves, Champion Stadium, Walt Disney World, FL SAT, March 8, 2008: Nationals vs. Astros, Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee, FL And of course, the annual tradition of Spring Training pictures begins on February 17 when pitchers and catchers report. Perhaps, Mods, it's time to create a "Spring Training" subforum, or a "sticky topic." Stay tuned for pictures . . . .
January 15, 200818 yr Sounds like you've got it all planned out. Have fun, I wish I could run that circuit.
January 15, 200818 yr The rites of spring, wouldn't be baseball without it. So have you thought of going video year? Your kids are going to have great memories of these annual treks - nice work :thumbup
January 15, 200818 yr No trek to Fort Lawdy Dawdy? Have fun in the prettier ballparks in the inferior parts of the state though.
January 15, 200818 yr Author No trek to Fort Lawdy Dawdy? Have fun in the prettier ballparks in the inferior parts of the state though. Go search the boards to find last season's First Annual SoFlaFish and EvenLittlerSoFlaFish Spring Training Tour, when I hit Fort Lauderdale for a Marlins-O's game. This year I tried to hit the parks I didn't do last season, so that's why the "tour" is laid out the way it is. For a quick re-cap, the First Annual SoFlaFish and EvenLittlerSoFlaFish Spring Training Tour consisted of eight (8) games in eight (8) days to these parks, in this order: (1) Roger Dean Stadium - Jupiter; (2) Ft. Lauderdale Stadium - Ft. Lauderdale; (3) Space Coast Stadium - Viera; (4) Holman Stadium - Vero Beach; (5) Hammond Stadium - Ft. Myers; (6) Ed Smith Stadium - Sarasota; (7) Al Lang Stadium [i will not call it Progress Energy Park!] - St. Petersburg; and (8) City of Palms Park - Ft. Myers.
January 15, 200818 yr Man, I wish I could go on a run like this. One day maybe with a future LittleRabbethan....
January 15, 200818 yr you know the O's are moving to Dodgertown and this is the last season of Fort Lauderdale ST as of now...it's not set in stone as the Dodgers may keep the facility and the O's are having problems with FTL
January 15, 200818 yr that being said...here is my 2008 ST schedule March 7: Fly in* March 8: Orioles vs Mets 1:05 @ Ft Lauderdale Thrashers @ Panthers 7:00 @ Sunrise * March 9: OFF DAY* March 10: Orioles vs Dodgers 1:05 @ Ft. Lauderdale March 11: Twins vs Rays 1:05 @ Ft Myers March 12:Dodgers vs Nationals 1:05 @ Dodgertown Quinniac vs FIU softball 5:00/7:00 @ FIU OR Panthers vs Islanders 7:30 @ Sunrise March 13: O's vs Twins 1:05 @ FTL March 14: Mets @ Marlins 1:05 @ Jupiter& Rangers @ Panthers 7:30 @ Sunrise* March 15: QU Softball @ FAU* March 16: fly back or Baltimore vs Washington 1:05 @ Ft. Lauderdale and Thrashers @ Panthers 5:00 @ Sunrise* *=barring Quinnipiac University hockey obligations &=barring my Marlins strike is over The Baltimore games I will almost definently go to as well as at least 2 of the hockey games. The rest is really up in the air, whether I have a car, whether I will be in town...should be interesting
January 16, 200818 yr My dad and I have been to a lot of Spring Training runs like this one. There really is nothing better than being with your old man checking out the various spring training facilities at the dawn of a new baseball season. Truly special. We've been to every Spring Training park in Florida at least once, but a lot of them we have been to several times. Some day we want to check out the action in Arizona, but with me going to college next year budget will be tight Anyway, have fun with your child on your trip. It'll be a memorable experience :thumbup
January 16, 200818 yr it's getting that time of year out here as well - definitely want to see the dodgers play this year during their stretch and will probably catch them in surprise against the royals or maryvale against the brewers am going to try and make it to an angels game this year as well love this time of year
January 16, 200818 yr The rites of spring, wouldn't be baseball without it. IMO Marlins Spring Training games are better than regular season games.
January 16, 200818 yr wish teams would play a spring training game or two up here in Jax... Can't wait 'til my son's a little older, I'm gonna have some spring training road trips.
January 16, 200818 yr It's getting closer folks! Pitchers and catchers report to Jupiter on my birthday this year (Feb. 17). And because I am sick and tired of the same endless and useless posts about Norman Braman, the stadium negotiations, who is going to start at 3B, why are we the laughing stock, etc., etc., etc., it's time to get some optimism back into this here hizzouse!! Something to get the spring back in your step, something to get your toes tingling. That's right, the four best words in all of sports: PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT With the release of the Spring Training schedules (thank goodness I picked up a USA Today yesterday while waiting for my flight at Tampa International Airport), the Second Annual SoFlaFish & EvenLittlerSoFlaFish Spring Training Tour is being currently planned and finalized. As is my desire for 2008, I plan on hitting sites that I missed last season. For the time being, here is the tentative schedule: SAT, March 1, 2008: Marlins vs. Cardinals, Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, FL SUN, March 2, 2008: Mets vs. Dodgers, Holman Stadium, Vero Beach, FL (last season of Dodgertown - I must go, even though I was there last season!) MON, March 3, 2008: Braves vs. Mets, Tradition Field, Port St. Lucie, FL TUE, March 4, 2008: Yankees vs. Blue Jays, Knology Park, Dunedin, FL (CONFIRMED - Tickets Purchased) WED, March 5, 2008: Tigers vs. Pirates, McKechnie Field, Bradenton, FL (OR) Twins vs. Yankees, Legends Field, Tampa, FL THU, March 6, 2008: Rays vs. Phillies, Bright House Networks Stadium, Clearwater, FL FRI, March 7, 2008: Tigers vs. Braves, Cracker Jack Field, Walt Disney World, FL (CONFIRMED - Tickets Purchased) SAT, March 8, 2008: Nationals vs. Astros, Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee, FL SUN, March 9, 2008: See LittleSoFlaFish compete at Universal Cheerleader Association National Tournament, Orlando, FL And of course, the annual tradition of Spring Training pictures begins on February 17 when pitchers and catchers report. Perhaps, Mods, it's time to create a "Spring Training" subforum, or a "sticky topic." Stay tuned for dates and schedule changes . . . . I love the astros complex
January 16, 200818 yr Great schedule. I remember back when I was a kid my pops and I would fly down to Florida for a week and catch some games, always a great time. Hard to believe that spring training is only a month and a half away.
January 17, 200818 yr And yet another year our schedules are just a day or two off. But Cracker Jack Field? I call it Mouse Ear Stadium. I believe the real name is Champion Stadium. Never been there but am looking forward to the experience. We're hitting the Marlins game at Dodgertown. Wouldn't miss it. From what I have read the Dodgers are only playing 10 games there this year, which fulfills their contract with the county. I feel bad for the folks there but understand the org's decision. One place ya read the O's are moving there for sure, another says it is still up in the air, and another says it is all hush-hush. I would think a rush gets put on the new facilities in Arizona and this is the last year and the O's make the move. We only have 3 or 4 of our games finalized. But we are pumped.
January 17, 200818 yr Question: If the O's move to Dodgertown will it still be called Dodgertown or will it be called Orioletown? btw, I'm half joking and half serious
January 18, 200818 yr Question: If the O's move to Dodgertown will it still be called Dodgertown or will it be called Orioletown? btw, I'm half joking and half serious I'll have to go to my videos on this question. But I believe the stadium is called Holman(sp) Stadium. The complex is called Dodgertown. Kinda like Space Coast Stadium for the Nats. It's at Carl Barger Complex(or something like that). It is an interesting question tho. I can only assume it will change. Maybe named for someone or some org that meant alot to keeping minor league/ST baseball there. But take it further. What about some of the street names? Are the residents ticked off to the point they are going to make major changes? I'll ask on our trip there. Maybe 2003 will as well to see what kinds of responses we get.
January 20, 200818 yr Definitely not staying Dodgertown, the team would insist on it. How about O-Town?
January 21, 200818 yr Definitely not staying Dodgertown, the team would insist on it. How about O-Town? Rocko's Modern Life?
January 22, 200818 yr Definitely not staying Dodgertown, the team would insist on it. How about O-Town? Rocko's Modern Life? sh*tty Boy Band?
January 22, 200818 yr Have fun man, sounds like one heck of a time. I'll be going on March 6th. Marlins vs Cardinals
February 13, 200818 yr We just secured all of our ST tix for all our road trips with the exception of the BoSox. We'll hit the scalpers there. Those games at DodgerTown are selling quickly, if anyone is interested.
February 13, 200818 yr Author We just secured all of our ST tix for all our road trips with the exception of the BoSox. We'll hit the scalpers there. Those games at DodgerTown are selling quickly, if anyone is interested. As of yesterday, I bought all my game tickets. I got my Dodgertown tickets early and am looking forward to sitting in the LF berm for that game (EvenLittler SoFlaFish loves berm seating!). I had to make one change because the Twins-Yankees game in Tampa was sold out, and I didn't want to drive down to Bradenton from my hotel in Clearwater (especially since I spent so much time at McKechnie Field while I was in college). So instead I secured tickets for the Braves-Indians game in Winter Haven. I've never been to Chain of Lakes Park, and I'm glad I will get to go as that is the other facility that is closing down this year with the Indians leaving to Arizona with the Dodgers. A shocker was how expensive the Astros tickets were. There are only two prices for Astros games $17.00 and $20.00. A pleasant surprise was how cheap Mets tickets were. I secured bleacher seats for $6.00 right at the box office (good thing I was in Stuart last week on business, so I just shot up to PSL and bought the tickets at the stadium). By the way, my road trip was featured on ESPN.com last week as part of their myESPN blogs! I thought that was pretty cool! Feel free and come visit my profile at myESPN. Geez, while you're there, sign up. Think of it as MySpace for sports fans. Plus, we can use all the Marlins fans we got over there!
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