There are plenty of things to do while visiting the area, like Anna Maria Island boat tours and the local parks on AMI, but if you are staying in one of our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals this February, you can’t miss this wonderful opportunity to watch the MLB spring training.
Come see your favorite teams and players. Just 20 minutes from AMI, Bradenton and Sarasota host a few MLB teams from the Grapefruit League.
This has been a Florida tradition for over 130 years, hosting immortals like Ruth, Clemente, Mays, and more recently, Jeter and Cabrera. All but six of today’s teams have trained in Florida. If you want to catch one of these teams, keep reading for more information!
What Teams Can You See During Spring Training?
The cities that have had the most years hosting spring training are Tampa and St. Petersburg for 87 years, Bradenton and Clearwater for 76 years, and Lakeland and Sarasota for 75 years. Other parts of Florida that have hosted the training are Orlando, West Palm Beach, Vero Beach, and Winter Haven.
When you stay with us, you can catch the Atlanta Braves spring training, Baltimore Orioles Spring Training, and Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training. These three teams call the Sarasota and Bradenton Area home during the Grapefruit League. If you are a baseball fan, this is a great time to enjoy America’s Pastime while on your AMI vacation.
These teams play against each other for the most part, but there are other teams all across Florida which means that you will also have the opportunity to see teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, or Marlins. The Tampa Bay Rays is also a team that will most likely be present at least once in the Bradenton-Sarasota area.
This also presents a great family-friendly opportunity on AMI for your family to connect and have fun while appreciating all the players from a closer way than you would on a regular season game. Also, this upcoming season is building up to be one of the most exciting in recent times, so don’t miss the opportunity to watch these players and teams early on during spring training.
Where Do the Teams Play?
There are three stadiums that host these teams during Spring Training, all close to Anna Maria Island, so you can catch a game and easily return to your beach vacation.
LECOM Park is located in Bradenton’s lively downtown area, and its current tenant is the Pittsburgh Pirates. Originally built in 1922, it has undergone a number of significant renovations over the last three decades to provide fans with modern amenities while maintaining the feeling of a classic ballpark. One of the most traditional venues in all of baseball, LECOM Park has hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates for the last 55 years. Grab a Pittsburgh Pirates game at LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205.
Plan Your Anna Maria Island Vacation!
Ready to take your dream vacation to Anna Maria Island? Make it a reality by booking with Mainsail! Simply view our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals, book your favorite property, and prepare for an unforgettable AMI adventure.
Sarasota has been part of the grapefruit league for 75 years, with Ed Smith stadium being its venue. Home to the Baltimore Orioles, you will watch one of the greatest American League teams. With seating for about 7,400 spectators and standing space that takes it to about 8,500 in total. Two concourses include food and beverage stands and a gift shop. It was built in 1989, named in honor of the Sarasota civic leader instrumental in the building of the stadium. For Baltimore Orioles Spring Training Games, head to Ed Smith Stadium at 2700 12th Street, Sarasota, FL 34237.
Home of the Atlanta Braves Spring training since 2020, CoolToday Park is a state-of-the-art stadium located in Venice, just south of Sarasota. For Atlanta Braves Spring Training Games, head to CoolToday Park at 18800 West Villages Parkway Venice, FL 34287. First opened just in 2019, it can host a capacity of 8 thousand seated spectators. It also offers plenty of reminders that you are at a Braves game with large murals of Grex Maddux and Tom Glavine wrapping the exterior, while retired numbers like Chipper Jones’ number 10, Dale Murphy’s number 3, Henry Aron’s number 47, are memorialized on the front plaza. The complex also has seven diamonds, eleven batting cages, and 63 pitching mounds.
How to Catch a Game
Single Game Tickets go on sale in early January. Head to the Major League Baseball website for more information on catching one of these exciting spring training games!
If you have decided on catching a game, the first step is deciding which stadium you want to go to, checking the scheduling for the day or days you have planned, and finally, buying your tickets. Always be sure to double-check locations and addresses and give yourself ample time to arrive at the stadium to avoid traffic and congestion at the stadium.
Stay with Mainsail
At Mainsail Vacation Rentals, we are your premier resource for Beachfront vacation rentals on Anna Maria Island. Our Anna Maria Island rental accommodations are all near the gorgeous famous turquoise-blue waters of AMI. We go above and beyond the competition to bring you the best service and ensure you will love our Anna Maria Island rentals. Let us worry about the stress of accommodation planning so you can make the most out of your vacation by unwinding and spending quality time with your loved ones–as it should be!
From one-bedroom suites to three-bedroom Anna Maria Island beachfront vacation rentals, we have a rental that will fit your entire family’s needs. What are you waiting for? Book your rental today!
