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Sarasota-Bradenton Says Goodbye to Spring Training

Sarasota-Bradenton Says Goodbye to Spring Training

| Laura Bell Adams |

It’s “the rite of spring.” Old and new players, kids, the smell of freshly cut grass, excitement, hot dogs and beer, beautiful weather….yes, Baseball Spring Training in Florida.

It starts in early February when pitchers and catchers report and goes to the end of March. And wow, it goes by so fast! I can’t believe it’s over.

Spring Training at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, FLThere is nothing like Spring Training Baseball, up close and personal. The players interact with the fans and love to give autographs and baseballs to the kids. This year I saw the Pirates play Toronto at our historic LECOM Park in Bradenton, and we went to the Orioles-Yankees game at the beautiful Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota.

Both parks are fabulous but, oh, so different. LECOM, originally called McKechnie Field, was built in 1929 and has so much “old-time” charm. Ed Smith Stadium was built in 1989 and completely renovated in 2011.

There is no better place to be than in Sarasota-Bradenton in February and March for Spring Training. See you next year at the ballparks!

Sarasota Post Photos

 

 

 

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