The Baltimore Orioles have held Spring Training at Fort Lauderdale Stadium since 1996. Located at 5301 NW 12th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the stadium was built in 1962 and has a seating capacity of 8,340. Here is a guide to Spring Training in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Practices for the Baltimore Orioles are held daily at nine a.m. at Fort Lauderdale Stadium. Pitchers and catchers report sometime in mid-February, a few days earlier than position players. Minor Leaguers practice at Twin Lakes Park, located at 6700 Clark Road in Sarasota.
The ticket office at Fort Lauderdale Stadium is open from ten a.m. to four p.m. In order to purchase tickets by mail or facsimile, you are required to call 954-776-1921 to request an order form. Or you may purchase tickets from TicketMaster by calling 954-523-3309.
Box seats sell for $20. Reserved Grandstand tickets are available for $14. You can purchase General Admission tickets on the day of the game for $10. General Admission for children 14 and under is only $5.
The Baltimore Orioles team hotel is the Sheraton Suites, located at 555 NW 62nd Street in Fort Lauderdale. Other Fort Lauderdale lodging options include: La Quinta on West Cypress Creek Road, Town Place Suites Marriott on Prospect Road, Westin Cypress Creek on Corporate Drive, Travelodge on West Commercial Boulevard, and the Holiday Inn on Powerline Road. The Palm Aire Resort and Spa, located on Palm Aire Drive in Pompano Beach, is another popular destination for Orioles’ fans in town for Spring Training.
If you are looking for some eats in the Fort Lauderdale area, check out Playoffs Sports Grill on East Commercial Boulevard, or Champs Americana on North Andrews Avenue. Other popular joints include: the Starlite Diner on Andrews Avenue, Sweet Tomatoes on North Andrews, the Downtowner on South Andrews, and Riggins Crabhouse on Lantana Road in Lantana. Moe’s Southwest Diner is located on Commercial Boulevard in Tamarac, and Joe’s Stone Crab is located on Biscayne Street in nearby Miami Beach.
The Baltimore Orioles first 2007 home exhibition game will be held on Friday, March 2, when they will face the visiting Florida Marlins. The New York Mets will come to town on Sunday, March 4 and return on Saturday, March 17. The Orioles will host the World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, March 6, Saturday, March 10, and again on Wednesday, March 28. The Orioles’ division rival Boston Red Sox will come to Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, March 18.
If you are attending Spring Training in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, keep in mind that many college students will also be on Spring Break. Book your hotel in advance and inquire about the usual Spring Break crowds. Enjoy Spring Training in Fort Lauderdale, Florida!