Sarasota has a long history with Spring Training Baseball that started in 1924 when John Ringling helped bring the New York Giants to Sarasota for Spring Training. The original Sarasota location was near Payne Park in downtown Sarasota. In the 1930s the Boston Red Sox also trained in Sarasota as well as the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1950s. Other teams that trained in the area included the Cincinnati Reds, and the Chicago White Sox. Spring Training in Florida is called the Grapefruit League, named for Florida’s history as the citrus capital of the US. Currently 15 teams hold their Spring Training in Florida. As a baseball fan myself I have personally attended games at many of the parks I have listed below!
What Teams Currently Conduct Spring Training in Sarasota
Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota
After the Cincinatti Reds left Ed Smith Stadium in 2009 and headed to Arizona after a ten year stay, the Baltimore Orioles moved in when the stadium went through a major rebuild. They moved in in 2010 and have been here ever since.
Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field in Bradenton
Built in 1923, McKechnie Field is the oldest field used for Spring Training Baseball, the second oldest field used in Minor League Baseball, and the third oldest field used by a Major League team behind Fenley Park and Wrigley Field. In 1969 the Pirates moved in and have been there ever since. The stadium had a major renovation in 2014-2015 but it retains all the original nostalgic charm from the old day. I can personally attest to the charm as I have attended games there myself.
Atlanta Braves at Cool Today Park in North Port
The newcomers to the Sarasota area are the Atlanta Braves. After a long negotiating process between the Braves and Sarasota County, a brand new stadium was built in what is now Wellen Park, one of the fastest growing communities in the nation. The stadium and training facilities are state of the art and the Braves have committed to staying for a long time. While Cool Today may lack that “nostalgic” feel it really is a great place to be and features a main promenade that continues around the entire field with lots on food and beverage options and an outdoor tiki bar area.
Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte
Firstly, this is our area’s major league team. They play regular season games in St Petersburg which is about an hours drive north from Sarasota, and the spring training games are about an hours drive south in Port Charlotte. The Rays have become a powerful contender in the AL East division and have consistently made the playoffs and the World Series in 2020.
Other Nearby Places to See Spring Training Baseball
Boston Red Sox at Jet Blue Park in Fort Myers
About an hour or so south of Sarasota, the Red Sox attract a huge following of rabid Red Sox fans who travel down from up north to escape the fabulous winter weather.
New York Yankees at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa
Probably the greatest baseball franchise the Yankees, conduct spring training in Tampa. Just 2 hours away from their arch rivals the Red Sox down in Fort Myers the games between these two teams sell out well in advance and draw a huge number of fans from the Northeast looking to escape the winter weather and see their favorite teams in action!
Minnesota Twins at Lee County Sports Complex in Fort Myers
Also and hour or so drive from Sarasota.
Philadelphia Phillies at Baycare Park in Clearwater
The Phillies train about an hour north in Clearwater, not far from the Yankees. There might not be a lot of Brotherly Love between those two teams if they had to meet in the World Series though!
What are some of your own best Sarasota area Spring Training experiences? Share them with us below!