How To Hit A Home Run With A Central Florida Vacation This Spring by Jessica Roberts

HOW TO HIT A

HOME RUN WITH A CENTRAL FLORIDA VACATION THIS SPRING This spring, 15 Major League Baseball teams journey to the Sunshine State for Spring Training... If you enjoy watching or participating in athletics, there are countless things to do in Central Florida to please any sports fan. Learn the ropes in this free ebook!

HOW TO HIT A HOME RUN WITH A CENTRAL FLORIDA VACATION THIS SPRING If you've never experienced a Central Florida vacation in the spring, now is the time. The weather is mild, fragrant orange blossoms are in bloom and most important, baseball fever is in full swing! This spring, 15 Major League Baseball teams journey to the Sunshine State for Spring Training. In Central Florida, Lakeland transforms into Tiger Town as the Detroit Tigers step up to the plate, bringing excitement and energy to the entire city. Spring training games provide the perfect opportunity for the entire family to experience the thrill of professional baseball, up close and personal. If you enjoy watching or participating in athletics, there are countless things to do in Central Florida to please any sports fan.

Create A Sports Fan's Ideal Central Florida Vacation With Detroit Tigers Spring Training Have you always wanted to attend a Major League Baseball game, but just couldn't work those expensive tickets into your budget? Or perhaps there isn't a team in your hometown. Either way, those peanuts and Cracker Jack are never out of reach when it comes to spring training games. Whether you're in the market for a quick road trip or a full-‐fledged family trip, taking in a Tigers spring training game is the perfect starting point for any Central Florida vacation.

Be Part Of A Long-Standing Tradition When the Detroit Tigers kick off their exhibition season, they took the field at Joker Marchant Stadium for the 48th consecutive season in 2013. Even more impressive, that year also marks the 77th season of Detroit Tigers spring training in Lakeland -‐ the longest standing relationship between a major league team and host city! The Tigers exhibition season at Joker Marchant begins with a matchup against the Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees. Be sure to plan your Central Florida vacation during the month of March, so you don't miss out on this local tradition!

A Different Kind Of Major League Baseball For the avid baseball fan, it doesn't get much better than spring training in Florida. This is your chance to experience a different kind of major league baseball, the way it was decades ago before the giant stadiums and outrageous ticket prices. The facilities are smaller, so every seat in the house provides a fantastic view of the action. The atmosphere is more relaxed and the players are much more accessible than at a major league stadium. In fact, fans are welcome to interact with the players and have been known to come home with an occasional autograph or two! For the future all-‐star in your family, you can't beat the up close and personal environment of spring training. Fans are even allowed to watch the teams practice. Pitchers and catchers generally arrive in February, with the entire team following in March. Don’t miss the chance to see 2011 American League MVP and Cy Young Award winning pitcher Justin Verlander up close and in action. This is definitely an opportunity to knock one out of the park if you're looking for affordable things to do in Central Florida. 2

See All Your Favorite Teams In Action When it comes to Major League Baseball, every sports fan has their favorite team -‐ and here's your opportunity to get a sneak peak of what your team will have to offer when the regular season begins! When you attend a Tigers exhibition game as part of your Central Florida vacation, not only will you see the amazing talents of the Tigers players, but you can catch several of your other favorite MLB teams in action as well. Check out the Tigers full exhibition schedule to find out if your favorite team will be taking the field this season at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland.

Florida's Grapefruit League: Professional Baseball At Its Best The tradition of spring training baseball in Central Florida dates back to 1913 when the Chicago Cubs implemented the first spring training in Tampa. Today, 15 Major League Baseball teams comprise Florida's Grapefruit League, venturing to locations all across sunny Florida each year for spring training. If you're planning to attend a Detroit Tigers game in Lakeland, why not take a little road trip and check out some of the other Grapefruit League teams? The New York Yankees train in Tampa, the Houston Astros in Kissimmee and the Philadelphia Phillies play in Clearwater. There are endless opportunities to travel across the Sunshine State and take in some world-‐class baseball. Who knows, you may even create a brand new family tradition of your own!

RussMatt Baseball Central Florida Collegiate Invitational Tigers spring training isn't the only Central Florida baseball tradition! The annual RussMatt Baseball Central Florida Collegiate Invitational is a crowd-‐pleasing favorite that keeps players and spectators coming back to check out the action year after year. Each year's event runs from February through March and will feature more than 200 college teams in all divisions (NCAA D I, II, III, NAIA and JUCO). To give you an idea of just how big this event really is, that's more college teams participating in the Central Florida Collegiate Invitational than all other Florida spring break competitions combined! Games are played at top-‐notch facilities in Winter Haven and Auburndale, both within an hour's driving distance to either Tampa Airport or Orlando International Airport -‐ so transportation is a breeze! The two primary venues include a former major league spring training stadium and a state of the art sports complex boasting five collegiate baseball fields and the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. Several nearby colleges provide secondary fields. Whether you have a friend or family member playing in the tournament, or simply want to experience the best college baseball has to offer, the Central Florida Collegiate Invitational is the perfect spring retreat.

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Step Up To The Plate With A Sports-Themed Central Florida Vacation If watching all that baseball has inspired you to hit a home run of your own, there are plenty of things to do in Central Florida for the sports enthusiast! So why not extend your trip and check out all of the sports-‐related attractions the area has to offer? If you love to fish, hike, golf, swim or just enjoy being outdoors among nature, Polk County will not disappoint. There are a number of scenic parks, lakes, golf courses, batting cages and other athletic activities, all within driving distance of the venues hosting the Tigers spring training and Central Florida Collegiate Invitational.

Off The Wall Adventures Ready to hit the batting cages? Looking to get your adrenaline pumping with some paintball or kayaking? Off the Wall Adventures in Lakeland offers everything you need to get up out of those bleachers and get moving! This sprawling athletic complex includes a paintball field, batting cages, a heated swimming pool and opportunities for scuba diving, kayaking and fishing excursions. Best of all, it's located right in Lakeland, providing an ideal way to get some exercise after filling up on nachos and hot dogs at the Tigers game!

Catch A Professional Basketball Or Hockey Game Can't get enough live sports during your Central Florida vacation? You're in luck, because Grapefruit League Spring Training in Florida coincides with the NBA and NHL's regular season as well, so there is no shortage of opportunities to experience the excitement of professional sports. If basketball is your sport of choice, the Orlando Magic play at the Amway Center in Orlando from November through April; or if you're heading west from Central Florida, consider catching some hockey! The Tampa Bay Lightning take the ice at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, with regular season games also taking place from October through April. Whether you enjoy playing sports and being part of the action, or prefer sitting back, relaxing with an ice cold beverage and watching the pros show you how it's done, there are a number of exciting things to do in Central Florida for sports enthusiasts and casual fans alike. Whatever your perception of the ideal sports vacation, you'll be ready to step up to the plate when the time comes to plan your next springtime getaway! 5

Useful Resources VisitCentralFlorida.org: Central hub for official Central Florida visitor information. Request a free Central Florida vacation planner and view an interactive vacation guide the VisitCentralFlorida.org website Detroit Tigers Spring Training: Heading to Lakeland for Spring Training? Here you can view the Tigers complete exhibition schedule, purchase tickets, learn more about Joker Marchant Stadium and even buy gift certificates. Major League Baseball Spring Training: This is your source for Spring Training information for all 30 MLB teams, including Florida's Grapefruit League and Arizona's Cactus League. Florida's Grapefruit League: Learn the history of Florida's Grapefruit League and get all the information you need regarding teams and locations. Spring Training Online: Here you can keep up with all the latest Spring Training news, participate in discussion boards and even order a Spring Training guide. Lakeland Flying Tigers: When Tigers Spring Training wraps up at Joker Marchant Stadium, the Lakeland Flying Tigers minor league baseball team steps up to the plate. Check out their schedule, buy tickets and learn more about the players! RussMatt Baseball Central Florida Collegiate Invitational: Whether you're participating in the tournament or just plan to attend as a spectator, this site provides all the necessary info regarding registration, scheduling, tournament rules, lodging and facilities. Off the Wall Adventures: Looking to stretch those legs after the ballgame? Learn more about the variety of sports and activities offered at Off the Wall Adventures, including paintball and kayaking! Orlando Magic Basketball: This site is your source for everything Orlando Magic! Check out the latest team news and stats, watch videos and purchase tickets. Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey: If you're ready to take to the ice, the Lightning's home page provides all the latest team stats, videos, full schedule and ticket information.

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