Orioles Spring Training

harryhudini · 01-13-2016, 08:19 PM

Going this year at the end of March and looking for anyone who has been before who can answer a few questions for me:

1. Stuff to do around the stadium?
2. Is there a kids area? Taking my 5 year old with me.
3. Signing areas / habits of both teams?
4. Food? Good places to eat in Sarasota.

Thanks dudes.

lamiwe21 · 01-13-2016, 08:38 PM

My suggestion is to go to one of the more player friendly setups like the Pirates, Twins, or Rays if you are going with the intention of getting autographs. If your going to just watch baseball then your okay. You really only have access to the Orioles after the game from their parking lot. Nothing wrong with Sarasota, just not a lot to do for kids.

harryhudini · 01-13-2016, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamiwe21

My suggestion is to go to one of the more player friendly setups like the Pirates, Twins, or Rays if you are going with the intention of getting autographs. If your going to just watch baseball then your okay. You really only have access to the Orioles after the game from their parking lot. Nothing wrong with Sarasota, just not a lot to do for kids.

Not really going for the auto's but if I can get a ball signed or something I'll be good.

Thanks for the input.

enbambam6986 · 01-13-2016, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamiwe21

My suggestion is to go to one of the more player friendly setups like the Pirates, Twins, or Rays if you are going with the intention of getting autographs. If your going to just watch baseball then your okay. You really only have access to the Orioles after the game from their parking lot. Nothing wrong with Sarasota, just not a lot to do for kids.

Pirates? Went there last year and thought it was horrible. Practice fields are in a run down area and the setup up for fans was bad.

lamiwe21 · 01-13-2016, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enbambam6986

Pirates? Went there last year and thought it was horrible. Practice fields are in a run down area and the setup up for fans was bad.

The trick with Pirates is to graph them when they have a away game at the Pirates complex. The players that do not go on the trip usually come over and play games with the minor leaguers. When the Minor Leaguers go to play their away game, you can them boarding and unloading without leaving the parking lot.

Now at McKenzie Field, the Pirates are difficult but no more difficult anywhere else. Getting the visiting team inside is easy.

Bhenry4 · 01-13-2016, 09:37 PM

I go every year, and it's awesome. Unfortunately for autos, you have to get there right when the gates open and the last group for BP will be walking off the field. Guys like Schoop and such will hang around longer and sign. The players then don't return until 30-40 minutes before the game begins. They'll warm up and then they have to get in the dugout. Guys like Pearce sign every single day. A couple others will do so as well. Guys like Hardy will walk over to your 5 year old if he's holding a ball. My son is the same age, and he can basically get every single auto that he ever wants. Your son will get some balls as well. McKechnie is great if O's starters are there. The O's were struggling last spring, so I think Buck made them take the 30 minute trip...this is rare. Guys like Manny and Jones never travel, but they did that day. They both signed forever.

For stuff to do, not a ton. Go to Siesta for the beach, and there are some good restaurants over there. I always see the O's players there. My buddy and I travel around to all the Targets and buy dozens of Heritage blasters.

kazmir114 · 01-13-2016, 10:50 PM

That's awesome! Post pics when your done! Let me know how Jonesy treats ya!

Bob Loblaw · 01-13-2016, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamiwe21

The trick with Pirates is to graph them when they have a away game at the Pirates complex. The players that do not go on the trip usually come over and play games with the minor leaguers. When the Minor Leaguers go to play their away game, you can them boarding and unloading without leaving the parking lot.

Now at McKenzie Field, the Pirates are difficult but no more difficult anywhere else. Getting the visiting team inside is easy.

In all of the stadiums I've been to, getting visitors autographs at the Pirates games is the absolute EASIEST.

Detroit/Lakeland is the WORST.

As for food - while it's certainly not a Florida thing, oddly, Sarasota has a significantly large Amish population.

Hit this, and hit this hard. http://www.yodersrestaurant.com/

Orange October · 01-14-2016, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamiwe21

My suggestion is to go to one of the more player friendly setups like the Pirates, Twins, or Rays if you are going with the intention of getting autographs. If your going to just watch baseball then your okay. You really only have access to the Orioles after the game from their parking lot. Nothing wrong with Sarasota, just not a lot to do for kids.

If you're a season ticket holder, bring your orange carpet card and you can get in like 90 minutes before everyone else and get autos.

Matt Ryan · 01-14-2016, 04:43 PM

Just do me a favor and make sure you eat here. You won't regret it.

Munchies 420 Cafe
6639 Superior Ave,
Sarasota, FL 34231, United States

Open from 4:30pm to 4:30am.

Bob Loblaw · 01-14-2016, 05:49 PM

Especially if you toke up first.

01-13-2016, 08:19 PM	#1
harryhudini Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,757 ek_killa	Orioles Spring Training Going this year at the end of March and looking for anyone who has been before who can answer a few questions for me: 1. Stuff to do around the stadium? 2. Is there a kids area? Taking my 5 year old with me. 3. Signing areas / habits of both teams? 4. Food? Good places to eat in Sarasota. Thanks dudes. __________________ Lets Go O's!!!! Looking for Orioles game used balls - BLOWOUT'S OTHER ADAM JONES SUPERCOLLECTOR!!

01-13-2016, 09:37 PM	#6
Bhenry4 Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Charm City Posts: 13,993 bhendu1	I go every year, and it's awesome. Unfortunately for autos, you have to get there right when the gates open and the last group for BP will be walking off the field. Guys like Schoop and such will hang around longer and sign. The players then don't return until 30-40 minutes before the game begins. They'll warm up and then they have to get in the dugout. Guys like Pearce sign every single day. A couple others will do so as well. Guys like Hardy will walk over to your 5 year old if he's holding a ball. My son is the same age, and he can basically get every single auto that he ever wants. Your son will get some balls as well. McKechnie is great if O's starters are there. The O's were struggling last spring, so I think Buck made them take the 30 minute trip...this is rare. Guys like Manny and Jones never travel, but they did that day. They both signed forever. For stuff to do, not a ton. Go to Siesta for the beach, and there are some good restaurants over there. I always see the O's players there. My buddy and I travel around to all the Targets and buy dozens of Heritage blasters. __________________ Viva John Ryno

01-13-2016, 08:38 PM	#2
lamiwe21 Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 544	My suggestion is to go to one of the more player friendly setups like the Pirates, Twins, or Rays if you are going with the intention of getting autographs. If your going to just watch baseball then your okay. You really only have access to the Orioles after the game from their parking lot. Nothing wrong with Sarasota, just not a lot to do for kids.

01-13-2016, 10:50 PM	#7
kazmir114 Banned Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New York Posts: 3,598 kazmir114	That's awesome! Post pics when your done! Let me know how Jonesy treats ya!

01-14-2016, 04:43 PM	#10
Matt Ryan Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 1,274 Bolts1923	Just do me a favor and make sure you eat here. You won't regret it. Munchies 420 Cafe 6639 Superior Ave, Sarasota, FL 34231, United States Open from 4:30pm to 4:30am.

01-14-2016, 05:49 PM	#11
Bob Loblaw Banned Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Spring Training Paradise, FL Posts: 13,050	Especially if you toke up first.