Tigers Spring Training
by frisbeepilot on Nov 12, 2009 7:20 PM EST
25 comments
It's November, which means I'm already thinking about Spring Training.
I get a week off in mid-March, and for the past three years I've zipped down to Florida for a few days to soak up some sun, have a couple of cheap beers, and nerd-out on meaningless baseball games. It's ever-so-fun.
In conversation with allikazoo (who is also making plans to hit a few Spring Training games; check out a map she made here of all the Grapefruit League cities), a light bulb came on: wouldn't it be fun to have BYBers gathering in central Florida in the dead of winter to sport the Olde English D in solidarity?
Here's a schedule of games in the week I'm going to be there (all times 1:05 pm unless indicated otherwise, SS means split-squad):
Sun. March 14, Tampa Bay, at Lakeland
Mon. March 15, Toronto, at Lakeland
Tues. March 16, Philadelphia, at Clearwater
Wed. March 17, Pittsburgh, at Bradenton
Thur. March 18, Houston, at Lakeland
Fri. March 19, New York Yankees, at Tampa, TBD (SS)
Fri. March 19, Atlanta, at Disney World, 6:05 p.m. (SS)
I'm probably going to most of the Monday through Thursday games, but maybe not the Phillies game. I was in Bradenton last year, and that's really a lovely little park wedged into downtown Bradenton -- plus, there's a great Mexican/Cuban restaurant on the west side of town.
So, who's in?
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I'll have to pass.
Going to try to hit Chicago in February, can’t pay for both trips.
Have a blast y’all.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Nov 12, 2009 9:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
tentative dates for me are March 9-15
I’ll be arriving/departing somewhere between those two dates, though I don’t know if I’ll show up as early as the 9th yet.
by allikazoo on Nov 12, 2009 10:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
As much as I'd like to get to Spring Training at some point, I don't think I can make it this time
For one thing, I have school. For another thing, I have limited funds and right now I’m saving up for the BYB get-together at Comerica Park in July. But I hope you guys have fun!
by SabreRoseTiger on Nov 13, 2009 9:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
update - I'm booked, arriving the 10th just in time for that day's game
and coming back the evening of the 15th.
by allikazoo on Nov 15, 2009 3:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I went this past year...
…for the first time. I had always wanted to do it, and even made a previous attempt only to find I had completely f’d up the schedule. If I didn’t have a wedding to pay for next year I would absolutely be in…it was easily one of the best vacations I’ve ever taken.
by Mushy on Nov 16, 2009 10:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
good to hear you had fun, any tips?
I’m staying about 2 miles from the park, so I’ve got that handled. if there’s anything you think would be good to know please share! :)
by allikazoo on Nov 16, 2009 12:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Honestly....
….we spent most of our trip in Orlando and Fort Meyers, but made it to a couple of games while the Tigers were in Lakeland. The only thing I would suggest is getting to the games early (especially if you’re sitting on the grassy knoll) and take it all in. It was a huge crowd for both the games we made it to, and I don’t know if that is normal. We got to the stadium about an hour and a half before the games started and we’re still fighting traffic in to the stadium parking.
If you are sitting in G.A. I would suggest bringing something to sit on too. You can’t bring full out lawnchairs, but I saw several people with some kind of cushioned pad with a back to them. As fun as it was, my back was killing me by the end of the games.
As far as the Lakeland area goes…I didn’t really see much, so hopefully someone else can help you out with that.
by Mushy on Nov 16, 2009 1:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A few tips
If it’s a 1:05 game, the gates open at 11 am.
Last year my brother and I got to the park at about quarter after 10 — we poked around the souvenir shop for a bit, then went over to the gate to line up to get in. (Yes, we’re geeky.) A kind Texan tipped us off to the practice fields out back where the Tigers were doing their BP; we went back there and it was HOME RUN BONANZA, with very few people back there. Also, the outfield fence is chain-link, so you can get right up to it and eavesdrop on conversations (as we did; Dontrelle Willis isn’t much of a pitcher, but he sure can spin a yarn). I caught a ball and later had it signed by both Jim Leyland and Ryan Perry.
As for downtown Lakeland, it’s very pretty but pretty quiet. There’s a good Irish pub there that’ll serve you up a fine pint of Guinness. The lake in the centre of town is picturesque, too. Apparently the seafood restaurant there is good; unfortunately, I hate seafood. There’s a steakhouse there that some Detroit newspapermen rave about, but it’s pricey.
Damn. Now I can’t wait for March!
by frisbeepilot on Nov 17, 2009 6:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yay I'm so excited
I was wondering if it’d be possible to watch BP and stuff, I figured as much.
by allikazoo on Nov 17, 2009 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
An update, of sorts
For those of you interested in coming down to Florida, and who live in south-central Michigan, AirTran has one reasonably-priced nonstop flight per day to Tampa and one to Orlando, leaving from Flint. I like flying out of Flint way more than Detroit — it’s calmer, the parking is cheaper, and the security people have somewhat warmer hands when they frisk you after finding a slightly-too-large tube of toothpaste in your carry-on.
I’ll be down there from the 13th to the 17th — and, to sweeten the deal, if you come down to Florida, I WILL BUY YOU A BEER. (Hell, the loonie’s almost at par these days.) C’mon! A free beer! Who’s in?
by frisbeepilot on Nov 19, 2009 9:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Can't make it
My spring break is 6th-14th, and I’m underage so I can’t partake of the beer legally. :(
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Nov 20, 2009 12:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Such draconian booze laws
You can fight and die for your country, vote, give blood, and captain a Pontiac down a road at seventy miles an hour by the time you’re 18, but you can’t crack open a Bud until you’re 21. Greatest country on earth, my ass!
(Also, Bud is terrible unless it’s extremely cold.)
I’m not saying I would go up to the concession stand, ask for two beers, bring them back to the seats and give you one. I am not saying that at all. Really. I sure am not.
by frisbeepilot on Nov 21, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I had you pegged for like 34.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Nov 23, 2009 8:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm going to assume you were kidding
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Nov 23, 2009 10:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
But I did think you were in your later college years.
Damn kids, off my lawn!
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Dec 7, 2009 9:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Junior
That count as “later”?
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Dec 7, 2009 11:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I thought you were under 21? how is this possible
by allikazoo on Dec 8, 2009 12:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Cutoff date for my elementry school was 4 days after my birthday
Went into college at 17, turned 20 this year
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Dec 8, 2009 12:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That was probably way too much information
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Dec 8, 2009 1:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Boognish
It has powers greater than you, or I, or Deaner, or Gener could ever imagine possible.
(Saw Ween a few years ago here in Toronto. An audience member, bizarrely in full Kiss costume, facepaint and all — but really, what counts as “bizarre” at a Ween show, anyway? — was asked up onto the stage by the band for the entire encore, presumably for ambiance.)
by frisbeepilot on Dec 7, 2009 10:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They are great live
I have seen them many times, they always seem to impress. I just always have to bow down to the cult of the boognish.
by yankeechaser on Dec 9, 2009 4:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A Florida Trip Update
Alright, folks, I’ve been scouring the Inter Nets (a series of tubes) for assorted spring training info, and I’ve concluded that I’m going to be in Florida from March 13 through 17. If you need me, I’ll be here (look for the guy wearing the Tiger hat):
Mar 13: Yankees vs Tigers, Lakeland
Mar 14: Rays vs Tigers, Lakeland
Mar 15: Jays vs Tigers, Lakeland
Mar 16: Tigers vs Phillies, Clearwater… or Marlins vs Braves, Lake Buena Vista
Mar 17: Tigers vs Pirates, Bradenton… or Nationals vs Astros, Kissimmee
I’m not sure about the last two games. I love my Tigers, ‘tis true, but I’ve heard the Braves have a really nice park, and I know the Astros do (but, alas, two years ago my game there got rained out after a mere two innings).
allikazoo has forwarded information to me about ticket packages which are available now (as opposed to buying individual game tickets starting January 9), so if you’re going to be at any of the games from the 10th through the 15th, let me know (frisbeepilot at gmail dot com) and we’ll all try to work something out.
Believe me, the first big snowstorm of the year has me thinking about palm trees and batting practice. How many days until pitchers-and-catchers again?
by frisbeepilot on Dec 9, 2009 9:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'm so glad you'll be there for that second yankees game
I plan to make it to the one on the 10th, but seeing Curtis AGAIN in the Yankee uniform.. it’ll be nice to have the extra support.
by allikazoo on Dec 10, 2009 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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