For some, Major League Baseball’s opening day is the best day of the year. It marks the return of America’s pastime. Spring is in the air, and there’s nothing like sitting back and enjoying a hot dog and soda at the ballpark. But what about leading up to opening day? For about a month from the end of February to the end of March, your favorite baseball team heads down to either Arizona or Florida for spring training. You’ll find the Cactus League in Arizona, mostly surrounding the Phoenix area, and spread throughout central and southern Florida is the Grapefruit League. In 2023, the Grapefruit League saw over 1.4 million fans at 236 games in a timespan of just about 33 days.

With the 2nd highest growth rate of America’s 30 largest cities, Orlando welcomes more than 1000 new residents a week. With that many people coming in, that’s a lot of different hometown/favorite teams you’d find amongst people in one city. I remember my first time going to Miller’s Ale House on a Sunday during football season. I was so surprised to see every team jersey being worn throughout the restaurant. As someone from New Orleans, I’m used to walking into a sea of black and gold anywhere I go on a Sunday afternoon. But in Orlando, many people have moved here from out of state and taken their favorite team with them.

Not to mention, Orlando doesn’t have an NFL, MLB, or NHL team. If you’re not already a die-hard fan elsewhere when you move here, there is no hometown team for you to adopt. And if you want to catch your favorite baseball team in action, you’ll have to drive out to Tampa or Miami to watch them play the Rays or Marlins. However, for one month out of the year, you just may get to watch your favorite team several times without leaving Florida. 15 MLB teams come down to Florida as part of the Grapefruit League for spring training. The drive to the ballparks from Orlando are not bad. If you’re a big baseball fan, it’s definitely worth it. Even if you’re not associated to a certain team, it’s still worth it to take a drive to enjoy an afternoon at the ballpark. Here, we’ll cover which teams play in the Grapefruit League, what city and ballpark they play in, and how far of a drive it is from Orlando.

Detroit Tigers

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium – Lakeland, FL

2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33805

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium is 52 miles from downtown Orlando. Expect just about an hour drive.

Lakeland and the Tigers hold the longest-standing relationship between a current spring training city and major league team. 2023 made 87 years that the Tigers have been playing in Lakeland for spring training, while the last 58 of those years have been at Joker Marchant Stadium. The ballpark was built in 1966 and went through renovations in 2016. Seating capacity is 8,500.

Things to do in Lakeland: Relax at a lake! It’s not called Lakeland for nothing. The last time I drove past a lake in Lakeland, I had to stop and get out because there was a line of pelicans sitting out on the shore of the lake. It was beautiful. Another thing you don’t want to miss out on while in town is the Wildwood Antique Mall of Lakeland. Make sure you have the proper time allotted for your trip to this store. It’s huge. If you think this is somewhere you can just walk around, take a quick look, and be out in a short time, you’ll be greatly mistaken. You’ll want to peruse down every aisle, and this could take hours. One of the unique things about this place is that old theme park stuff finds its way here. When Shrek 4D closed at Universal Orlando Resort, all 3 little pigs could be found in the back of this store. (Also found there: Halloween Horror Nights signage and props)

Toronto Blue Jays

TD Ballpark – Dunedin, FL

373 Douglas Avenue, Dunedin, FL 34698

TD Ballpark is a 108-mile drive from Orlando, taking about 2 hours.

Toronto Blue Jays have been holding spring training in Dunedin since it became an expansion team in 1977. They are the only MLB franchise that has never changed their spring training location. TD Ballpark underwent construction in 2019 for major renovations which increased capacity of 5,500 to 8,500, renovated restrooms, concessions, and suites, and added the following features: new Jays shop, Jr. Jays Zone, BBQ Tent, 360 boardwalk around the field, an air-conditioned bar along the 3rd baseline, an outdoor bar in right field, and special group areas.

Things to do in Dunedin: Visit the Dunedin Historical Museum. The museum, just a 12-minute walk from TD Ballpark, was originally an Atlantic Railroad Station (built in 1924). Visit the main location of the Dunedin Fine Art Center on Michigan Boulevard, an 8-minute drive from the ballpark. Here you’ll find 6 galleries of amazing art, a children’s museum, the Palm Cafe, and the Gallery Shop. Shop for collectible or rare books at Back in the Day Books. Or go to the beach! Dunedin, like many of the cities to follow, is on the west coast of Florida, giving easy access to the beaches and coastline. If you have time, try to make it out to Caladesi Island State Park or Honeymoon Island State Park. Keep in mind that Caladesi Island is only accessible by boat!

Philadelphia Phillies

BayCare Ballpark – Clearwater, FL

601 N. Old Coachman Road, Clearwater, FL 33765

BayCare Ballpark is 102 miles from Orlando. It should take about 1 hour and 50 minutes to drive.

Clearwater has been the home of Phillies spring training since 1947, making this the 2nd longest affiliation between an MLB franchise and spring training home location. BayCare Ballpark opened in 2004 and features a 360-degree main concourse, a tiki hut pavilion in left field, group picnic areas, party suites, club suites, and a kids’ play area. Fixed seating capacity is 7,300, while grass berm seating provides an additional 1,500.

Things to do in Clearwater: Go to Clearwater Beach! If you couldn’t guess from the name, the waters are CLEAR and beautiful on the west coastline. I thoroughly enjoying swimming in the Gulf of Mexico over the Atlantic ocean when I’m willing to make the longer drive. Clearwater beach also has a strip of shopping and restaurants worth checking out while you’re there. Parking can be a little tough to find because the area is so popular. If you’re willing to drive a little further out, head down to St. Pete Beach. The water is just as beautiful, parking is typically easier to find, and it’s less touristy. Other things to check out while in this area are the St. Pete Pier, John’s Pass Village, the Chihuly Collection, and the Sunken Gardens.

New York Yankees

George M. Steinbrenner Field – Tampa, FL

1 Steinbrenner Drive, Tampa, FL 33614

George M. Steinbrenner Field is 89 miles away. Expect the drive to be about 1.5 hours.

George M. Steinbrenner Field, completed in 1996 and renovated in 2016, has been home to the Yankees spring training for 27 seasons. Seating capacity is over 11,000. The ballpark is right next to Raymond James Stadium, home of NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Yankees parking is in Raymond James’ lots 1, 2, and 4.

Things to do in Tampa: Tampa is a major city with tons to do! Just to name a few: The Florida Aquarium, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Tampa Riverwalk, Glazer’s Children Museum, Mosi – Museum of Science and Industry, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, and Tampa Bay History Center.

Pittsburgh Pirates

LECOM Park – Bradenton, FL

1611 Ninth Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205

It’s just about a 2 hour drive to LECOM Park, 118 miles from Orlando.

The Pirates have held spring training at LECOM Park for 55 seasons. The ballpark was built in 1923. The 2013 renovations brought capacity to 8,500.

Things to do in Bradenton: This is another west coast location, so of course my first recommendation is … THE BEACH! Anna Maria Island is less than 30 minutes from the stadium and is known for its pristine beaches. Try Bean Point. You’ll have to find street parking in a small neighborhood and walk a bit to the beach, but it’s worth it. You’ll feel off the grid with no tall condominium buildings in your view. Another calm and beautiful beach is Coquina Beach. You may even catch a glimpse of dolphins in the distance. Speaking of dolphins, for a more up close and personal experience, check out Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tours.

Baltimore Orioles

Ed Smith Stadium – Sarasota, FL

2700 12th Street, Sarasota, FL 34237

Orlando to Ed Smith Stadium is 131 miles and about 2 hours and 10 minutes to drive.

Ed Smith Stadium was built in 1989 and renovated in 2012. Capacity is 7,500. The Orioles moved to Ed Smith Stadium in 2010 and have a year-round impact on the community of Sarasota. Ed Smith Stadium is home to the Florida Complex League Orioles. The Orioles have a great economic impact by hosting year-round events not just at Ed Smith Stadium but also at the Buck O’Neil Complex, such as youth sports tournaments, arts and entertainment programs, and charitable activations.

Things to do in Sarasota: Once again, you’re just 30 minutes or less away from a beautiful Gulf coast beach. You can be at famous Siesta Key Beach in just 25 minutes. You could check out the Sarasota Jungle Gardens if you’re looking to explore over 200 native and exotic animals. But my favorite part of Sarasota is the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art! Give yourself plenty of time to explore the grounds. There’s a lot more to look at here than I could have imagined.

Atlanta Braves

CoolToday Park – Venice, FL

18800 West Villages Parkway, Venice, FL 34287

At 152 miles from Orlando, CoolToday Park will be about a 2 hour and 25 minute drive.

The first thing to mention about CoolToday Park is FREE PARKING for regular vehicles ($40 for RV/bus). The park was built in 2019 and has a seating capacity of 6,300. 2023 was the fourth season for the Braves at CoolToday after leaving ESPN’s Wide World of Sports and Walt Disney World.

Things to do in Venice: Shark tooth hunting! It should be no surprise by now that I’m suggesting the beach. Venice Beach is popular for “shelling,” sifting through the sand to find shells or fossilized shark teeth. For even better luck, try Caspersen Beach, the shark tooth capital of the world.

Tampa Bay Rays

Charlotte Sports Park – Port Charlotte, FL

2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte, FL 33948

The Tampa Bay Rays spent majority of their 2023 spring training at their home field of Tropicana Field due to damages to Charlotte Sports Park from Hurricane Ian. Charlotte Sports Park has a seating capacity of about 7,500 and is connected to a park with amenities such as walking trails, a boardwalk, and a canoe/kayak launch site.

Things to do in Port Charlotte: Go to the Tippecanoe Environmental Park, connected to Charlotte Sports Park. Drive up to Myakka River State Park.

Boston Red Sox

JetBlue Park – Fort Myers, FL

11500 Fenway South Drive, Ft. Myers, FL 33913

JetBlue Park is 207 miles and 3 hours and 5 minutes from Orlando.

As of 2023, the Red Sox have held spring training in Ft. Myers for 31 years, 12 of them at JetBlue Park.

Minnesota Twins

Hammond Stadium at Lee County Sports Complex – Fort Myers, FL

14100 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Ft. Myers, FL 33912

Just 6 miles away from JetBlue Park, Hammond Stadium is 209 miles from Orlando, making it about a 3 hour and 10 minute drive from Orlando.

Hammond Stadium was built in 1991 and underwent renovations prior to the 2013 season. Seating capacity is 8,010. The Twins have been holding spring training at this ballpark for the past 33 seasons.

Things to do in Fort Myers: Connect with nature at Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium. Explore STEM with hands on experiences at IMAG History and Science Center. “Island hop” to Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, and Pine Island. Grab a coffee and do a kickflip at House of Ride Nature, an old house turned coffee shop with skate ramps in the back yard. 100% of the sales proceeds directly support Ride Nature, a non-profit organization that utilizes action sports to accomplish their mission.

New York Mets

Clover Park – Port St. Lucie, FL

31 Piazza Drive, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

Clover Park, on the east coast of Florida, is 121 miles from Orlando. Expect to drive 2 hours.

2023 was the Mets’ 36th spring training at this location. Seating capacity of Clover Park is over 7,000. Clover Park is home to minor league’s St. Lucie Mets and can be used for other events such as festivals,concerts, baseball tournaments, RV shows, and more.

Things to do in Port St. Lucie: Play a round of golf at the PGA Village. Refresh with a flight of beer at Hop Life Brewing Company. Catch a wave at the beach. Port St. Lucie is on the East Coast near the Atlantic Ocean. The water in the Atlantic is not as calm as what it usually is in the Gulf of Mexico, so you can actually ride the waves here if you go at the right time.

Miami Marlins & St. Louis Cardinals

Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium – Jupiter, FL

4751 Main Street, Jupiter, FL 33458

Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, 42 miles south of Clover Park (just a 45 minute drive down I-95), is 156 miles from Orlando. You’re looking at a drive of about 2 hours and 20 minutes.

The stadium was built in 1988 and has a seating capacity of 6,806. Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium is shared between the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals. The Marlins have had 30 spring trainings at this locations, while the Cardinals have been here for 26 seasons.

Things to do in Jupiter: Climb 105 feet to the top of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. Go snorkeling at Dubois Park. Catch a boat or water taxi to Peanut Island. Spot unique sea creatures at Blowing Rocks Preserve.

Houston Astros & Washington Nationals

Ballpark of the Palm Beaches – West Palm Beach, FL

5444 Haverhill Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33407

Just 12 miles from Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, Ballpark of the Palm Beaches is 164 miles from Orlando. The drive from Orlando will be about 2 hours and 25 minutes.

Ballpark of the Palm Beaches has a seating capacity of 7,800 and was built in 2016. The stadium is shared between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals. Both teams have spent 7 spring trainings at this facility.

Things to do in West Palm Beach: This stadium is so close to Roger Dean, that I would suggest spending a weekend in the area and doing both ballparks in the same trip. You may even be able to catch a game for all 4 teams. Sometimes there will be an early afternoon game followed by another game later that night. If you still have some free time after all that baseball, some things you can check out in West Palm Beach are Norton Museum of Art, Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, and Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.

It’s not too early to start planning your Florida baseball trip! Check out the 2024 Spring Training schedule here.