The Grapefruit League has a beautiful opening weekend in store for its 15 teams throughout Florida. It’s the first Spring Training in arguably four years that will have a normal look and feel to it, what with the pandemic cutting seats and last year’s lockout squandering games. It’s finally time for some ball! Seven teams call the bay area home each spring. Here’s where you can find them, their opening home games, and the big names coming to town you may want to catch while they’re here.
New York Yankees | George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa
The Yankees have brought a little piece of the Bronx to Tampa Bay since 1996, leading off 2023’s stretch with a doubleheader against the Braves on Sunday, February 26.
Big Bats in Town: Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo
Tampa Bay Rays | Tropicana Field , St. Pete
The Rays will play almost their entire Spring Training slate at Tropicana Field this year due to excessive hurricane damage to their facilities in Port Charlotte. Meaning you won’t have to drive two hours to catch the hometown heroes. You’ll have a bit of a wait though—they get the Twins at home on Thursday, March 2.
Big Bats in Town: Randy Arozarena, Wander Franco, Brandon Lowe
Toronto Blue Jays | TD Ballpark, Dunedin
The Toronto Blue Jays host a split squad Yankees team on Sunday, February 26 for their first home game of the season. Attending the home opener will get you a free beach towel, which is nice, considering TD Ballpark is a pop fly from the beach.
Big Bats in Town: Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Matt Chapman, George Springer
Philadelphia Phillies | BayCare Ballpark, Clearwater
The 2022 NL champs [AA1] have been training in Clearwater since 1947. Their 76th spring season in Florida starts off with a game against the split squad Yankees on Saturday, February 25.
Big Bats in Town: Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Rhys Hoskins
Pittsburgh Pirates | LECOM Park, Bradenton
Continuously ranked as one of the most popular spring training fields, LECOM Park will host the Blue Jays on Saturday, February 25 for the Pirates’ opening game.
Big Bats in Town: Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds
Detroit Tigers | Publix Field at Joker Merchant Stadium, Lakeland
The Tigers have made Lakeland their spring home for more than 80 years, the longest host city and team relationship of the Grapefruit League. They take on a split squad Phillies team Saturday, February 25.
Big Bats in Town: Javier Baez, Austin Meadows
Baltimore Orioles | Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota
Playing in Sarasota for a little more than 10 years, the Orioles will host a Minnesota Twins split squad for their home opener on Saturday, February 25.
Big Bats in Town: Anthony Santander, Ryan Mountcastle
Weekend Trips
Atlanta Braves at Cool Today Park, North Port
Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Stadium, Fort Meyers
Houston Astros at Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach
Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, Jupiter
Minnesota Twins at Lee County Sports Complex, Fort Myers
New York Mets at Clover Park, Port St. Lucie