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Florida Spring Training: Your Guide To Touring The Grapefruit League |
As you make your way around the park, you’ll also spot a variety of concessions ranging from the typical to the extra special — in this case, the cheese steak. There’s only one stand that sells this Philly treat and the lines get quite long. Join the line; it’s a “don’t miss” specialty.
With just 7,000 seats, Bright House Network Fields is fairly intimate, and there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Even the top row is OK. But if you’re seated there and want to get closer to the action, you can move to the berm. The planners did a particularly good job with the outfield seats. In most parks, the designers want to pack in as many seats as possible, which means that the outfield seats face center field. As a result, you get a killer neck ache from having to turn your head to watch the game. Not so at Bright House Networks Field. The outfield seats here are angled toward second base, and you are looking straight at the center of the game. No turning or neck ache involved. The most unusual seats in the house are found at the tiki bar at the end of the left field line. Jack Russell Stadium had a tiki bar that offered just a few seats around a small bar. The new stadium has supersized it, with 75 seats around a massive bar, complete with televisions and full liquor service. Right below the bar is a tiered section of high barstools facing the field that seats 100 more. Seating in this area is first-come, first-served and there is a server to bring you drinks from the bar. It’s a really great touch. Bright House Network Fields has also avoided the biggest drawback of most new parks: the lack of autograph opportunities for the fans. Typically, the new parks minimize fan contact with players by allowing the players to enter and leave the field through the dugouts. Remarkably, Clearwater’s stadium planners have forced the Phillies to walk by the crowd all the way from their dugout to past the picnic tables to get to their clubhouse. This allows for perfect signing opportunities all along the third base side, with the best at the end of the picnic area. Getting visitor autographs is tougher. Unlike the Phillies, visitors walk through their dugout to get to and from the field. Still, you are allowed to get near the field here, and when you do, you can often get visitors to sign for you. Maybe it’s the fact that Phillies Spring Training and Clearwater have been synonymous since 1948. But whatever the reason, Clearwater has got it right. Didn't find what you were looking for? Try a Google search.
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