Baseball Spring Training - Snag those AutographsBaseball Spring Training is the best bargain in sports. Where else can you see your favorite teams up-close without spending a ton of money, snag a few autographs that might be near impossible to get during the regular season, and get a nice suntan before the snow melts in some parts of the country?Spring training officially begins this year (2009) on February 25 and lasts until April 5 in Florida (Grapefruit League) and Arizona (Cactus League). The Grapefruit League draws an average of 1.56 million fans each year. Last year (2008) the Cactus League drew a record-breaking 1.31 million.
Even with economic woes, tickets for the marquee teams like the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs are going to be tough to impossible to get once you get to the ballparks. However, don't let this stop you from planning a spur-of-the-moment-trip. Tickets for most of the games can be purchased as late as game day. Expect to pay as low as $10 for a ticket, and all but the most exclusive tickets don't exceed $22. One of the great things about both the Grapefruit and the Cactus Leagues is the clustering of the parks. This makes it easy for the players, but fans also benefit. You can follow your favorite team from park to park, or you can schedule an itinerary that will give you the best chance of getting the autographs you want the most. It is easier to get autographs in February before the games begin. The players are more relaxed at that time and they have more freedom of movement. Plus there is less competition with other autograph seekers which is always a good thing. Organized fan fests, including autograph signings, are scheduled throughout February. The photos on this page were taken at the Tampa Rays 2009 Fan Fest. Don't be reluctant to get an autograph from players who's name you don't recognize. These are easier to get and you never know what the future holds for them. Baseball Spring Training: Go once, and you'll probably want to go the next year, and the next ... |
Due to the poor state of the world economy, attendance is expected to be significantly less this year. Yet the season is going to be longer. Those two factors mean that autograph seekers will have less competition, and it might very well be that the players have been instructed to be especially cordial to the fans who are most likely to buy tickets to games during the regular season. The owners might be looking at spectator sports like NASCAR where attendance and sponsorship has been negatively impacted by the economy.
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