2016 SPRING TRAINING IN FORT MYERS, FL WITH TWINS AND RED SOX (WEEK 1)

2016 SPRING TRAINING IN FORT MYERS, FL WITH TWINS AND RED SOX (WEEK 1)

I will be in Fort Myers, FL for four weeks where I will be attending Twins and Red Sox spring training practices and a few games. The mornings and part of the afternoon will be baseball, while the late afternoon and nights will be spent with my wife enjoying the warm, sunny weather of South Florida.

Week one was spent getting use to the teams complex. Both teams fields are mostly closed off for getting a lot of baseballs hit over the fence. Both teams do have some areas along the foul line and Boston has half to a quarter of the outfield fence open. Almost everyday Red Sox Nation comes out in large numbers making retrieving balls and getting autographs pretty hard. Lot of the players just pass me by or sign for just a few fans before going back to the clubhouse. The Twins are a little easier as there are fewer fans. On game days, both teams you have to pay $10 for parking even if you are not going to the game and only practice.

TWINS

The biggest surprise for me was Joe Mauer. A superstar who signed for everyone, everyday class act. Joe Mauer signed a Sports Illustrated cover one days and a MLB baseball the next. I also got the autograph of Korea's free agent Byung Ho Park on a MLB Baseball.  I got 3 baseballs during BP and gave one away. The two I kept was the spring training logo balls. Something new this year.

RED SOX

Most of my luck came with the upper 40-man roster players and minor leaguer invitee in Bryce Brentz and Sam Travis. The Red Sox had an open house of JetBlue Stadium and four players signed for fans. They were Robbie Ross Jr, Matt Barnes, Deven Marrero and Travis Shaw. I went to one minor league practice and got Michael Chavis (2014 #1 draft pick). I got 2 baseballs during BP.

Week 1 (4 Red Sox team sheet auto's not pictured)

Week total: 24 Autographs 5 Balls (1 give-a-way)

Spring training total 24 Autographs 5 Balls (1 give-a-way)

I still find the Cleveland Indians spring training complex in Arizona the best (not bias as the Indians are my favorite team). Outfield fences open for BP Homeruns, access to players as they leave the field and area for players to sign in the team parking lot. Practice field parking is separate from the stadium parking and is free. Stadium parking is $5 on game day.

I had to go all the way to Fort Myers to see my High School colors. He was from the class of 65' and now lives in Cape Coral, FL. ... it's a small world....

SOUTH FLORIDA

On the Red Sox spring training pocket schedule there is a coupon for buy one get one free ice cream cone at Sun Harvest. I got the orange and vanilla while Hiromi had the chocolate and key lime. We actually went there twice this week.

  

WHAT'S NEXT?

Fort Myers, FL spring training week 2.