“People ask me what I do in the winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.”

Roger Hornsby

Part I: Arrival in Fort Myers and Baseball

March 2013 Hammond Stadium: I’m sitting in the 90-degree heat (down the third base line) with my then four-year-old son. I’m in-between bullpen and dugout, and we’re close enough to get that in-person feeling that only Spring Training can provide. I’ve got my trusty Prospect Handbook at the ready, and I’m explaining to the boy about the next batter up, Oswaldo Arcia. To underplay this moment in time, I was pretty excited, and God help me I love this team (seriously find help). In any case, I’d been following Arcia’s statistics since the Appalachian league, and watching him saunter up to the plate was like the first time I had a beer with my old man (and people say Spring Training doesn’t matter). As he steps in the box, I lean down and read some general facts about Arcia, explain to my son why I’m so interested in this guy, and pretty much go full-on man crush. As I’m looking down to tell the story (most of which was likely lost on the boy in his current sugar-induced state), I hear this ungodly sound; the sound of wood being summarily destroyed like a tree being struck by lightning. I lurched my head, spilled my drink, and located the majestic flight of a well-struck ball on an aerial voyage to the deep right field foul territory, and then he struck out.

This is why Spring Training is great. It’s your chance to forget a four-year losing dump of filth and despair, and for some magical moments, escape Grand Forks, North Dakota for a warmer climate. It’s enchanted turf (arguably holy ground) where your fandom is the same as your four-year-old’s. It’s a game that doesn’t matter other than to see that one game (or if you’re lucky more than one). I’d try to explain why this is so great, but words largely escape me, but, if I could, it’s like reaching into the past and finding our younger selves truly understanding what sports should be: entertainment. But what do I know, I just like beer and baseball.

So, why are you reading this?

It’s about two weeks away from Spring Training, and you’re either thinking about a last minute trip to Fort Myers or you’re curious about what Spring Training trip is like? Well, apart from other (better written) articles on this site, I’m going to add to the noise (indulge myself). As usual, I’m late to the party.

To save you the time, if you’re looking for an insider’s guide to bars and/or Fort Myers beach, this isn’t for you. If you’re looking for insight into watching practices or the scouting of players, best to read the trip reports that are inbound shortly. The Twins Daily team, Halsey Hall, and other nail this every year. I don’t have the time, at this point in my life, to bum around

The following will be a trip report/link-o-Gleeman to my experiences, and my recommendations for a family trip. If people enjoy this article, I’ll expand it as we go, and maybe provide a trip report. By the way, if you’re lucky enough that your kids and significant other will want to spend time with you at a ball game on your vacation, congrats, you’ve made it into a special club with me. But onto the information.

Location, location, location:

RSW Airport: http://www.flylcpa.com/

Map: http://www.flylcpa.com/shoppinginfo/

LB’s Thoughts: This is a nice little airport to start your vacation. Every time I step off that plane, the wall of heat hits in the jet bridge, and I get that feeling of pure excitement that only an escape from the great white snowball from hell grants you. First stop, if the Sanibel Bean is still selling coffee on Concourse D, get a cup for yourself and your significant other. It’s a really good cup of coffee, but for those who choose Starbucks instead, please private message me your parents landline number and I’ll console them to the best of my ability. I suppose one could argue that I’m loopy from the Ativan (I get flight anxiety thinking about airplanes); fair point, but I digress.

***Cheapo Point: Due to Spring Break in March, I’ve often found better deals on flights and rental cars flying into Orlando and then driving the three hours. Obviously this isn’t for everyone, but you also can hit a theme park or two by extending your vacation (and you can win some brownie points with the kids if they aren’t the baseball nut you are…not a problem with my kids who are as nuts as their dad).

If you are picking up a rental vehicle, it’s a very simple process (http://www.flylcpa.com/rentalcars). Otherwise outside pick up is a breeze. Otherwise, you can enjoy the somewhat middle of nowhere that is the airport, and hand-to-God, on the way to-and-from, they have signs that warn of “Panther Crossing”. If you can safely park, exit, and avoid any roaming panthers, for your sake, for your daughter’s sake, take a photo with your children near the sign.

Hotel/Where to Stay:

I’m going to side-step this one a bit by saying there are options for almost any group/budget. Where you like to stay is largely dependent on your own factors. That being said, I’ve been exceeding lucky in this area as I’ve hit on some nice hotels with ridiculously good deals in the past. Keeping in mind that I prefer the quiet places, I prefer to stay in Cape Coral (just northwest of Fort Myers). The Resort at Marina Village (http://www.westincapecoral.com/) was a huge hit for us, but alas, it was bought out by the Westin Corporation and the rack rate tripled overnight (if you check out their rates, I didn’t pay nearly that). I’ve also stayed on Sanibel Island, but find that the amount you pay to stay on the island hasn’t been worth it for me when staying off island typically doesn’t involve more than a half-hour drive. If I had unlimited cash, I’d probably stay here (http://www.southseas.com/) or here (http://tween-waters.com/). As to staying on Sanibel, I’ve done it. Largely you overpay for what you get, but the location is unbeatable (walking out to the beach every morning is pretty awesome). As to Fort Myers, I’ve always wanted to stay here (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/rswsb-sanibel-harbour-marriott-resort-and-spa/?pid=corptbta&scid=b661a3c4-9c47-48c8-9e13-75b66089dd79) as it’s right before the causeway to Sanibel Island/Captiva (and the view is great), but haven’t done this one yet. May someone could drop a comment.

Spring Training:

• Spring Training Page: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/spring_training/index.jsp?c_id=min
  
• Ball Park Info: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/spring_training/ballpark.jsp?c_id=min
  
• The Food: http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?sid=t509&ymd=20100511&content_id=9976912&vkey=team5
  
• General 40-Man Roster: http://twins.mlb.com/team/roster_active.jsp?c_id=min
  
• Spring Training Invitees (Guys Who Likely Will Play in the Minors): http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/team/roster_nri.jsp?c_id=min
  
• Pre-Renovations Panoramic Shot (Just to Give an Idea): http://www.leeparks.org/images/panoramas/LC-sportscomplex-pano2.swf
  
• Post-Renovations Dramatic Picture Gallery (Oh The Glory): http://mlb.mlb.com/photos/gallery.jsp?content_id=62285112&c_id=min
  
• Seating Chart http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/images/spring_training/y2015/hammond_seating_chart.jpg
  

LB’s Thoughts: You likely know all of the above, but I like my links to be easily accessible.

Where to sit: As to where to sit, in my humble opinion, there isn’t a bad seat in the house, however, for my money I try to get 217, 115, or 114, this is my preferred seating; because the Twins bullpen area. This is a great spot to watch bullpen sessions, see players hanging out, or just to feel close to the players (and generally fairly easy to get when you are not getting first priority when the ticket window opens to us general folk). While you can often hang out and just look, the ushers have, from-time-to-time, been known to clear people from the walkways (please be kind to the folks doing their job). The downside, it’s in the sun the whole game, and it can be lighting hot. For the shade, I’d stick to the right field sections in the 208-205 area. These tend to be shaded (and likely others, I just haven’t sat in these sections enough). I sat in 103 once, it was awesome. I think I would say that about any seat though.

• As a side note, I've met some great ushers, trash collectors, vendors who are more than willing to talk stadium/Fort Myers/baseball (and even give the boy a game-used baseball).
  

What to Do: Drink beer, find people in the stands that recognize your Prospect Handbook and then talk to them. Walk around the park with your kids. Drink beer. If the renovations are completed (man I need to get caught up on Halsey’s posts), there could be much more. The old souvenir shop was absolutely terrible. Very small, to a point where they limited people inside at some points. February 22 is just around the corner….for the ribbon cutting.

What to Eat: Admittedly, I haven’t been there since prior to the renovations. Before that time, the food was terrible (my opinion, let the angry comments begin…). I’m not a picky guy (seriously), but the food wasn’t even in the same ballpark as Target field. I’m hopeful they’ve fixed that, because otherwise, stick to a hot dog and a beer (or 10 beers, make your significant other drive home).

What to Drink: Beer. Again, I’m pretty handcuffed by not having been there is a few years. I’ll update this section after the first game if interest exists.

If there is an interest in Part II, let me know and I’ll cover the things to do in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel and Captiva. If you have questions or an interest, let me know and I'll do the best I can (or hopefully the community will) to update or answer questions accordingly.