Heating Up For Spring Training in Sarasota

Sarasota County is proud to call two Major League Baseball teams—the Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles—its home base for Spring Training season. 

And come February, the MLB teams will make their way down south to defrost their winter-chilled bones and warm up those homerun swings. Spring Training practices are free and open to the public starting in mid-February, while ticketed games begin in March—arguably one of the nicest months weather-wise here on the Suncoast. 

Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park

Officially kicking off the spring season on Saturday, February 26th, the Braves will go up against the Boston Red Sox. You’ll be able to cheer on your team at CoolToday Park in North Port, which can fit over 7,000 fans and includes an outfield patio and bar areas—perfect for a family-fun outing to be the first fans of the spring season to enjoy a ballgame. Not to mention, any chance to spend a few extra hours outdoors in the comfortably cool weather that February tends to bring here is an added bonus to any extra innings.  

Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium

Meanwhile, the Orioles will battle the NY Yankees, also on Saturday, February 26, but at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. Often referred to as "Birdland South," Ed Smith Stadium also includes the Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex at Twin Lakes Park, which features all of the ballpark amenities to make any athlete feel like they're in the big leagues. This major league facility features an 8,000-seat stadium, four additional onsite training fields with one practice half-field, five offsite training fields, a clubhouse and covered batting cages and pitching mounds. 

There is no doubt that both February games will bring a fun crowd for the home openers of Spring Training season!

Visit here to view the Braves’ full Spring Training schedule.

Visit here to view the Orioles’ full Spring Training schedule.