Harry Caray, the late, great broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs once said: "It's the fans that need spring training. You gotta get 'em interested. Wake 'em up and let 'em know that their season is coming, the good times are gonna roll." As a youngster in Upstate New York, my interest in spring training began at a family Christmas get-together, when my uncle Willie arrived from Michigan with presents, good cheer and baseball brochures from Florida.

Willie, a Detroit Tigers fan, was already making plans for his annual vacation to Florida, where his first stop was the Tigers' training site in Lakeland, and then on to a number of other cities that hosted baseball spring training. With snow piling up on the streets outside, and the temperature below freezing, Willie's state of mind had him basking in the Florida sun, awaiting the first crack of the bat signaling for him that all was right with the world.

Years later, when I moved to Florida to write for newspapers, I came to appreciate Willie's zest for spring training. Sure, the games don't count in the standings, and often a pitcher on the mound today will be on a bus to the minor leagues tomorrow, but there's something magical about the experience. With the sun shining down, freshly mowed grass on the field, and the sound of baseballs cracking off bats, it's the beginning of a new season where hope springs eternal for players and their fans.

Here, everything is more accessible. Ticket prices are cheaper; players often talk to fans and sign autographs. The smaller stadiums get you up close to the action on the field. Florida's spring training landscape ranges from historic ballparks such as Holman Field at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, to the New York Yankees' fancy digs at Legends Field in Tampa.


Dodgertown

 I always tell visitors that a spring baseball tour is not complete without a stop at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, the spring home of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nothing much has changed here in the last 52 years, and that's the way spectators like it.

Indeed, it's one of the most welcoming of spring training sites. I enjoy arriving early and wandering about the adjacent practice fields that are open to fans before the game. Here you might catch a foul ball or listen to the banter of players as they warm up.

I discovered that Dodgertown is one of the best - and friendliest - places for autograph seekers. The atmosphere invites player-fan interaction. Holman Field's intimate design puts every seat close to the field, providing an unusually close view of the players.

Another nice feature is that tickets are almost always available. Perhaps because, unlike other popular ballparks that sometimes sell out the best seats, Vero Beach's location is away from major metropolitan areas.

It's also a great place to bring the family. A large picnic area on the third-base side of the field, adjacent to a duck pond, offers grilled hamburgers and, my favorite, Dodger Dogs, an extra-tasty hot dog.


Cardinals and Marlins

 Further down the east coast in Jupiter, near West Palm Beach, is another of my favorite ballparks, Roger Dean Stadium. Built in 1998, it's one of the newer parks in the Grapefruit League, yet it somehow manages to maintain an atmosphere and intimacy associated with old-time ballparks.

Another advantage: it's the only Florida spring training site shared by two teams, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Florida Marlins, so there's usually a game every day during spring training.

When the Cardinals are here, the ballpark is filled with a sea of red shirts, just like at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. In the parking lot, row upon row of RVs bear Missouri license plates. Yes, it's true - no fans travel with their team like those from St. Louis.

You won't find a bad seat in this stadium; most sections are only 25 to 30 rows deep. And there's a small berm in right field for those who want to sit on the grass. If you go, bring suntan lotion. With no roof over the grandstand, it may be the sunniest of spring training ballparks. Be sure to try the Dean Dog, a big, juicy hot dog served with peppers and onions. It's as close to perfection as you'll find.

Games don't count in the standings, and often a pitcher on the mound today will be on a bus to the minor leagues tomorrow, but there's something magical about the experience. With the sun shining down, freshly mowed grass on the field, and the sound of baseballs cracking off bats, it's the beginning of a new season where hope springs eternal.


World Series Winners

 Drive across Alligator Alley and you'll be on your way to City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, spring home of the Boston Red Sox. It may be difficult to score a ticket after the team's fabulous run to the 2004 World Series championship, but it's certainly worth a try.

The ballpark lives up to its name, with rows of palm trees lining the entrance walkways. Once inside, I discovered the real treat. This is a fabulous place to watch a game. The stadium's design allows fans an up-close and personal connection to the players. Even the top rows of the grandstands are close to the field. Another nice feature is a large roof over the seating area, providing plenty of shade.

One observation: Red Sox fans are really enthusiastic. So don't expect to see the entertainment found at some other spring training ballparks, such as contests and music performances. Fans here know the game is the entertainment.


Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks...

 If it's entertainment plus baseball you're looking for, Cracker Jack Stadium in Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex at Lake Buena Vista is the place. Take the magic of Disney, add the mystique of the Atlanta Braves, and you have a perfect recipe for a fun day at the ballpark.

When you walk into the stadium, the impression is of a miniature major-league ballpark. It's the only one in the Grapefruit League with both lower and upper deck seating. The scoreboard even shoots off fireworks after a home run.

Fireworks, rock music and disc jockeys help keep fans entertained. And a person with a microphone roams the stands, asking fans trivia questions, only to have the answers blared out on the public address system.

Besides the fun-filled atmosphere, there's something else notable. It's the variety of accents in the crowd. Sure, you hear the southern drawl of Atlanta fans, but they're interspersed with accents of British, French and other visitors to the Orlando area.

As you can imagine at a Disney property, the stadium itself features many creature comforts, including lots of food concessions, ample restrooms and roomy seating.

With 7,500 seats, this is one of the larger spring training parks. The good news is that most of the seats are between first and third bases, making it a great place to watch a game. The graceful, elegant Spanish Mission-style design adds to the atmosphere.


Autograph Alley

 Spring training visitors should not overlook another ballpark in the Orlando area, the Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. It doesn't have the glitz and glamour of Disney's Cracker Jack Stadium, but this is one of the finest places to see a game.

Spring home of the Houston Astros, this is the smallest ballpark in the Grapefruit League, with 5,225 seats. Other parks hold at least 6,500 or more. Its size means there's not a bad seat in the house. But I discovered some other features added during a major renovation in 2003.

Outsiede the first base line is a playground for children, one of the few parks to have a kids' play area. For autograph hounds, the team set up a special area called "Autograph Alley." This is the long walkway to the clubhouse, where players often chat with fans and sign autographs. (Hint: know the players' first names; it's easier to get their attention.)

Other notable additions include chair-back seating throughout the stadium, and a wide concourse area with plenty of food selections (including a kid's meal), and plenty of servers to keep lines to a minimum.


West Coast Winners

 With many teams training in the Tampa/St. Pete area, this is a great base for seeing spring baseball and the other great attractions nearby.

I only had time to visit two area ballparks, so I selected the New York Yankees' impressive Legends Field in Tampa, arguably the most popular spring training site, and the Pittsburgh Pirates' McKechnie Field in Bradenton, a city that has hosted spring training since 1923.

Having spent many days watching Yankee games at their home in The Bronx, my first impression of Legends Field was that it's a miniature Yankee Stadium.

Indeed, the playing field is the exact same dimensions; architectural features are similar- and with 10,200 seats, it's the largest of any Grapefruit League ballpark. There is even a Monument park honoring Yankee legends.

This stadium is less intimate and more formal than smaller ballparks. For example, there are no bleacher or general-admission tickets at Legends Field - all seats are reserved. So you don't see fans wandering around during the game, as at other ballparks.

With a loyal and boisterous following, attending a Yankee game is quite an experience.

In addition to suntan lotion and comfortable shoes (parking is some distance from the ballpark), be sure to bring an appetite. Legends Field is legendary for its endless food choices. The outer concourse is ringed with concession stands offering standard ballpark fare, but also Cuban sandwiches, Quizno's sandwiches and selections from Outback Steakhouse (no steaks, but I enjoyed the chicken platter).

After years in Fort Lauderdale, the Yankees moved to new Legends Field in 1996. No surprise, because owner George Steinbrenner, a Tampa resident, likes to keep close tabs on his team.

For a more cozy experience, I next visited McKechnie Field in Bradenton, a place where you are so close to the players, you can hear their conversations.

Although rebuilt in 1992, this spring home of the Pittsburgh Pirates still retains the look, feel and design of an old-time, quaint neighborhood ballpark. As you can imagine, it's also a good park to get autographs.

After talking to the staff here, you discover there is another reason for the ballpark's success: Most workers are volunteers, and members of the McKechnie Boosters Club. This group is dedicated to keeping and improving spring training facilities in Bradenton.

With the city and baseball so intertwined, maybe that's why everyone is so friendly, the excitement level so high and even the grass seems greener.

One of the charms of McKechnie Field is that as you walk around before the game, you can get close to the batting practice cage, stand next to the bullpen as pitchers warm up and watch players work out near the clubhouse.

McKechnie Field has been part of the Florida spring baseball landscape since 1923, when the St. Louis Cardinals first trained here. Among the legends who roamed the field were Babe Ruth, Dizzy Dean and many others you may be able to recall from years past.


Regular Season

 When major league clubs break camp and head north, there is still plenty of major league baseball in Florida through the regular season.

The Florida Marlins, surprise winners of the 2003 World Series, move to spacious Pro Player Stadium in Miami, following spring training in Jupiter. Normally, tickets to home games are readily available, even on game day.

Tickets are usually plentiful for Tampa Bay Rays games at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. The Rays, who train just 10 blocks away at Progress Energy Park, play in the tough American League East division, so seats may be scarce when the Yankees or Red Sox are in town.

For an exciting day at the ballpark - spring or summer - Florida has your ticket!


Future Stars Shine in Florida

 The next Roger Clemens may be pitching at a ballpark near you. After a day at the beach or at one of Florida's attractions, what better way to spend a relaxing family evening than at a minor-league game.

Major league rosters are filled with players who started in the 12-team, Class A Florida State League (FSL). At Daytona Beach, Jackie Robinson Ballpark was renamed in his honor in 1990. It's where Robinson began his professional career on March 17, 1946. A statue of him graces the entrance to the ballpark, now the home of the FSL Daytona Cubs.

The Jacksonville Suns, an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, play in the Double A Southern League. The team drew more than 420,000 fans last season.


Spring Training in Florida, History

 "People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." - Rogers Hornsby, Hall of Fame slugger who played from 1915 into the 1930s.

Historians disagree on the exact origins of spring training. But they agree it's almost as old as baseball itself. It's known that the old Washington Capitals of the National League pioneered spring training in Florida, holding a four-day camp in 1888 in Jacksonville. This spring, nearly two million fans will attend spring training games in 17 Florida cities.

While some teams have changed cities, the Detroit Tigers have trained the longest in one place, settling in Lakeland 69 years ago. This long-term connection has created a base of loyal fans. Indeed, some old-timers have been watching the Tigers games here since they were kids, but never one in Detroit.