ON THE ROSTER
There is a method to the madness when it comes to which players you’ll see during a training game
• If you hope to see some superstar players in action, be sure to get to the game on time. Starters typically play only the first few innings, while players whose status on the roster is still undecided take the field in later innings.
COURTESY OF ROGER DEAN CHEVROLET STADIUM
• As it gets closer to regular season, teams start narrowing down their rosters. If you want to see more developing, under-the-radar players, attend games earlier in the season. If you would rather get a feel for what the team will actually look like during regular season, attend the later games.
• Always grab a program on your way into the stadium. It will provide you with the names and jersey numbers of new, up-and-coming players and non-roster invitees you may not recognize.
LOCATION, LOCATION! Where to sit for the best possible experience
All three stadiums have varying levels of seating ranging from grass seats to VIP suites. If the more the merrier is how you roll, consider The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches’ Party Decks (for 50-90 people). Roger Dean has the Cassidy Cool Zone (for parties of 30 or more), which is located under a covered party deck along right field and includes a twohour all-you-can-eat buffet. The stadium’s Chido Beach (for groups of 16 or more) features four-top tables and drink rail seating behind the Cardinals bullpen with a rotating all-youcan-eat menu. Clover Park offers numerous suites, including the Sky Suite at Press Level with A/C, TV, and a catering attendant for up to 20 people. There are also two party decks: the Budweiser Party Terrace on field level next to the Mets bullpen and a First Base Party Deck on the Suite Level.
Don’t forget the sun! With many of the games in the middle of the day, the sun can be as annoying as your rival team. Roger Dean is Florida’s only spring training stadium without a roof, so try getting seats underneath the overhang from the press box to minimize the rays. The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches offers a good amount of shade, with the most all-game shade in sections 110-116. At Clover Park, the oddnumbered sections are shaded when the game starts; even-numbered seats are usually in full shade by 2:15 p.m. The Cassidy Cool Zone at Roger Dean
COURTESY OF ROGER DEAN CHEVROLET STADIUM
First things first: If you are cheering for a particular team, you want to be on the right side of the action. Be sure to look at the stadium’s seating chart and make sure you buy tickets in your team’s section. At Clover Park, the Mets dugout is always on the third base side. At Roger Dean and The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, designated team dugouts are: Cardinals and Nationals on the first base line, Marlins and Astros on the third base line.
FE B RUARY 2 0 2 3 | JUPITER
056_SPRINGTRAINING_0223.indd 59
59
1/10/23 3:17 PM