How To Guide: Spring Training in Fort Myers
Another first has occurred with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Their new affiliation with the Minnesota Twins presents an enticing possibility. If Blue Wahoos fans wish to check out the Twins and rising prospects who will be in Pensacola this season, a road trip to Spring Training is now doable. It's 598 miles of
Another first has occurred with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Their new affiliation with the Minnesota Twins presents an enticing possibility.
If Blue Wahoos fans wish to check out the Twins and rising prospects who will be in Pensacola this season, a road trip to Spring Training is now doable.
It's 598 miles of interstate highway from Blue Wahoos Stadium to Hammond Stadium at the CenturyLink Sports Complex in Fort Myers, where the Twins pitchers and catchers reported Wednesday.
But that's far shorter than Arizona and the Cactus League where the Cincinnati Reds have Spring Training. This is the first time in franchise history a road trip is possible to see the Blue Wahoos' future players and their parent club.
"The good thing is the stadium is pretty centrally located within Fort Myers, so pretty easy to get to," said Marshall Kelner, broadcaster and media relations manager for the Fort Myers Miracle, the Twins' High-A affiliate that won the Florida State League championship last year.
"It's not too far to get to Naples or downtown Fort Myers or the beach, so we draw from all over," he said.
If you're tempted, interested, or planning a road trip to go check out the Blue Wahoos new affiliate, here are some tips and suggestions.
The CenturyLink Sports Complex is located less than four miles from Interstate-75 after taking Exit 131 Daniels Parkway. In two turns… after the 590-plus miles on I-10 and I-75…. you're there.
As of Feb. 13, tickets remained for 11 of the Twins 18 spring training home games, including the first three spring training games Feb. 23 (Tampa Bay Rays), Feb. 25 (Baltimore Orioles), and Feb. 26 (Pittsburgh Pirates).
The sellouts include the three games with the Boston Red Sox (March 1, 18, 22), who train only five miles away on Daniels Parkway at JetBlue Park.
The other current sellouts are the only home games with the Toronto Blue Jays (March 10), Washington Nationals (March 14), New York Yankees (March 24) and the Spring Training finale against the Colorado Rockies (March 26).
Single game tickets range from $9-$45. Parking at the stadium is $10. The availability and purchasing can be viewed on www.mlb.com/twins/tickets/spring-training.
"The later it gets in spring training, the more popular the games are regardless of opponent," Kelner said. "The starters are playing longer, so you get more build up to the season.
"The Yankees and Red Sox, those games are always going to sell out."
The food options at the stadium are plentiful. There are items that connect to Minnesota and Canadian fans like cheese curds, a Midwestern state fair staple, and poutine, along with Killebrew Root Beer, named to honor beloved former slugger Harmon Killebrew and with its own distinctive taste.
There are items to connect to Fort Myers like Love Boat Ice Cream. There's also Naughty Hot Barbecue, 5-4-3 Triple Play oven pizza, and several new items Spicy Chicago Beef Egg Rolls, Jalapeno Cheddar Bratworst on a stick, and Mon Key Buntz, which is a doughnut, cinnamon crumbles, and soft serve ice cream mixture in a souvenir helmet.
"You won't go hungry. There's food for everyone," Kelner said.
The stadium itself has been home to the Florida high school state baseball championships since 2017. A new contract was signed through 2021.
Pensacola Catholic (2017) and Pace (2018) both played in the state final four at the CenturyLink Sports Complex the past two years.
A major renovation to the stadium in 2015 created a circular 360-degree boardwalk-style concourse. For sellout crowds, the ballpark can stretch to a 9,300 capacity.
"Fans can walk all around the ballpark without having to leave and that's been popular," Kelner said. "There are two big berm areas for kids to run around… one beyond left field and the other in right field."
Kelner said the other popular feature for kids are the large fountains on a plaza outside the stadium.
"Compared to a major league (regular season) game, you are paying a lot less," he said. "And you are really close to the players. There is not a bad seat in this stadium."
If you go and seek autographs, the best bet is to arrive early in the stands. Players tend to sign before the game. Veteran starters play only a few innings and leave the stadium before the game ends.
Kelner said often the teams will take batting practice at a field adjacent to the stadium and players will be more accessible there.
While the Twins are playing, many of the future Blue Wahoos players will be at the adjacent minor league complex playing in MiLB Spring Training games that are free to attend.
The biggest travel expense won't be filling up the gas tank or the tickets or the food.
Rather, it's the hotel prices.
This is high season in South Florida. Rooms are $200-$500 per-night. One option is staying off I-75 outside of Tampa in Brandon, which has hotels like Courtyard Marriott, Fairfield by Marriott, Holiday Inn Express for rates that are pricing for $100 less than in the Fort Myers-Naples area.
It's 120 miles to Fort Myers from there, which means you can have breakfast, hit the road and be at the ballpark by 11 a.m. for the 1:05 game.
And if you're tempted to go, the cost will still be a lot cheaper than flying to Arizona.
Spring Training Important Dates
Thursday - Twins pitchers and catchers in first workout.
Feb. 18 - Twins full-squad workout with 40-man roster.
Feb. 23 - Twins first spring training games (split squad) vs. Orioles (1:05 p.m.), vs. Rays (6:05 p.m.)
March 26 - Spring training finale vs. Rockies
March 31-April 1 - Blue Wahoos players arrive in Pensacola.
April 4 - Blue Wahoos season-opener at Mobile BayBears
April 10 - Blue Wahoos home opener vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
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