You’ve stripped down to a short sleeve shirt. The sun is roasting your shoulders. You’re lounging in a chair, inhaling the all-American perfume of hotdogs and popcorn. You can’t wipe the grin off your face, but things are about to get better.

The pitcher hurls a fastball, hoping it will speed its way into the catcher’s mitt before the batter figures out what’s happening. However, the batter senses what’s coming. His bat connects with the ball, sending it rocketing towards outer space. The ball ends up out of the park, and you end up out of your seat, cheering and perhaps dribbling a little butter down your shirt.

Now is the time to live the fantasy. Baseball fans are in luck, because spring training season has arrived in Sarasota. Starting February 26^th, you can watch the Cincinnati Reds in their 11th year of Spring Training Camp. They’ll challenge teams that include the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, hosting 17 home games at Ed Smith Stadium during the month of March. Firework displays, giveaways and special promotions will round out the experience.

What else could a baseball fan ask for? Just since you asked, it’s cheap, too. Ticket prices range between $7.00 and $16.00 per game, and you can watch practices for free. 

Here are a couple of ideas to keep you occupied between games.

• Have a ball at the beach. Sarasota’s beaches extend over 35 miles on Florida's Gulf Coast, and have garnered awards for having the "finest and whitest sand in the world" and the "Best of the Best Sand." The turquoise, clean water is warm; the waves are gentle – jump on in!

• Parasail Siesta Key for breathtaking views of what was voted one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world. (Have you noticed we’re back to the beach-thing? You’re definitely going to have to visit.)

• Check out Mote Marine Laboratory. They study, they educate, and they also operate an amazing aquarium! They always have something interesting going on; this week one of the happenings was the release of a rehabilitated sea turtle. Their lecture series includes a presentation by a dolphin psychologist as well as one called “The Quest for the World's Largest Calamari, the Giant Squid.”

Fans can receive a discounted rate at the newly renovated Hyatt Regency Sarasota. It’s offering a special baseball discount to those traveling to Sarasota to watch the games.  To snag an extra 20 percent discount off the best available rate, use the code "BBALL" when booking.  The offer is valid for stays between the dates of February 27 - March 29, 2008, and is subject to availability.  Reservations must be made in advance. Call The Hyatt Regency Sarasota at 941-953-1234 or Hyatt Central Reservations at 800-233-1234 to book.

This is one of the places you can go parasailing: http://www.siestakeyparasailing.com/

For more information on visiting Sarasota, travelers can visit www.sarasotafl.org or call the Sarasota Convention and Visitor's Bureau at 800-522-9799.