Florida Spring Training 2006

Click here for details of Spring Training in Florida in 2007.

The snowbirds are not the only people to move down to Florida during the winter.

Since the early 1900s, a lot of the major American and National League baseball teams have taken advantage of Florida's wonderful winter/spring climate and have set up Spring Training camps in Florida each year. This allows the players to train away from the cold and snow of the north and it also allows the managers to check on the talent.

Over time, this has resulted in the Grapefruit League and the teams now play each other throughout the month of March. Recently, Arizona has tempted 12 teams out west but attempts by Las Vegas to set up training camps in Nevada have come to nothing.

If you are used to paying upwards of $100 to watch a game then you are in for a real treat. Prices vary by stadium but general admission can be as little as $6 and box seats are typically between $20 and $25.

One of the great things about Spring Training is that the ballparks are generally small which means you can get to watch a top ranking baseball team up close and personal. Spring training is also an ideal opportunity to get autographs of your favourite players.

The first game of the season is on February 28 and games continue all the way until April 2.

For the 2006 Spring Training season, 18 teams have made their home at 17 of Florida's baseball stadium in Central and Southern Florida.

If you are staying in the Orlando area, then you have the Osceola Stadium and Cracker Jack Stadium on your doorstep with Lakeland and Winter Haven only a short drive away.

On the Gulf Coast, there are six stadium within a short drive of Tampa; namely Dunedin, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Bradenton and Sarasota with Fort Myers to the South.

On the Atlantic Coast, there is Melbourne, Vero Beach, Port St Lucie and Jupiter in the North with Fort Lauderdale to the South.