Baseball in Florida, From Past to Present

Baseball has a rich history in the state of Florida, dating back to the early 1900s. Here's a brief overview of the history of baseball in Florida:

1900s-1910s:

• In the early 1900s, baseball was played in cities throughout Florida, primarily by semiprofessional and amateur teams.

• In 1914, the Federal League, a short-lived rival to Major League Baseball, established a team in St. Petersburg called the St. Petersburg Saints.

1920s-1930s:

• In the 1920s and 1930s, several Major League Baseball teams began to hold their spring training in Florida, including the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Athletics, and Brooklyn Dodgers.

• In 1925, the city of Winter Haven built a stadium called Henley Field, which would become a popular spring training site for Major League Baseball teams in the following decades.

1940s-1950s:

• During World War II, many Major League Baseball teams moved their spring training operations to Florida due to travel restrictions and the need to stay close to the United States. This helped establish Florida as a popular spring training destination.

• In 1946, the Florida State League was established as a Class D minor league. Teams included the Daytona Beach Islanders, Gainesville G-Men, Lakeland Pilots, and St. Augustine Saints.

1960s-1970s:

• In the 1960s and 1970s, several Major League Baseball teams moved their spring training operations to Florida, including the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

• In 1962, the Houston Colt .45s (later renamed the Astros) became the first Major League Baseball team to play in Florida, when they held their first-ever spring training in Cocoa Beach.

• In 1973, the Florida State League was upgraded to Class A, and teams included the Miami Marlins, St. Petersburg Cardinals, and West Palm Beach Expos.

1980s-1990s:

• In the 1980s and 1990s, several Major League Baseball teams relocated to Florida, including the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers.

• In 1989, the Florida State League was upgraded to Class A Advanced, and teams included the Dunedin Blue Jays, Fort Myers Miracle, and Tampa Tarpons.

• In 1993, the Florida Marlins became a Major League Baseball team, and they played their first season at Joe Robbie Stadium (now Hard Rock Stadium) in Miami Gardens.

2000s-Present:

• In the 2000s and beyond, several Major League Baseball teams moved their spring training operations to Florida, including the Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, and Washington Nationals.

• In 2011, the Florida Marlins were renamed the Miami Marlins and moved to a new stadium, Marlins Park, in Miami.

• Today, Florida is home to two Major League Baseball teams, 15 spring training sites, and several minor league baseball teams.

Overall, baseball has become an integral part of Florida's culture and economy, and it continues to thrive in the state to this day.

Here’s the details on spring training teams and ballfields:

• Atlanta Braves: CoolToday Park (North Port) CoolToday Park is a state-of-the-art stadium that opened in 2019. It has a seating capacity of 8,000 and features modern amenities such as a 360-degree concourse, suites, and party decks. The stadium also has a variety of food and beverage options. https://www.mlb.com/braves/ballpark/travel-guide/spring-training

• Baltimore Orioles: Ed Smith Stadium (Sarasota) Ed Smith Stadium has been the spring training home of the Orioles since 2010. It has a seating capacity of 8,500 and features a modern clubhouse, suites, and picnic areas. The stadium also has a variety of food and beverage options, as well as a kid's zone. https://www.mlb.com/orioles/ballpark/travel-guide/spring-training

• Boston Red Sox: JetBlue Park (Fort Myers) JetBlue Park, also known as Fenway South, opened in 2012 and has a seating capacity of 11,000. The stadium is modeled after Fenway Park in Boston and features a replica Green Monster wall, as well as a variety of other features that pay homage to the iconic ballpark. The stadium also has a variety of food and beverage options, as well as a kid's zone. : https://www.mlb.com/redsox/ballpark/travel-guide/spring-training

• Detroit Tigers: Joker Marchant Stadium (Lakeland) Joker Marchant Stadium has been the spring training home of the Tigers since 1966. It has a seating capacity of 8,500 and features modern amenities such as a 360-degree concourse, suites, and picnic areas. The stadium also has a variety of food and beverage options, as well as a kid's zone. https://www.mlb.com/tigers/ballpark/travel-guide/spring-training

• Houston Astros: FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches (West Palm Beach) FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches is a state-of-the-art stadium that opened in 2017. It has a seating capacity of 7,700 and features modern amenities such as a 360-degree concourse, suites, and party decks. The stadium also has a variety of food and beverage options, as well as a kid's zone. Website: https://www.mlb.com/astros/ballpark/travel-guide/spring-training

• Miami Marlins: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium (Jupiter) Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium has been the spring training home of the Marlins since 2003. It has a seating capacity of 6,871 and features modern amenities such as a 360-degree concourse, suites, and picnic areas. The stadium also has a variety of food and beverage options, as well as a kid's zone. Website: https://www.mlb.com/marlins/ballpark/travel-guide/spring-training

• Minnesota Twins: Hammond Stadium (Fort Myers) Hammond Stadium has been the spring training home of the Twins since 1991. It has a seating capacity of 9,300 and features modern amenities such as a 360-degree concourse, suites, and party decks. The stadium also has a variety of food and beverage options, as well as a kid's zone. https://www.mlb.com/twins/ballpark/travel-guide/spring-training

• New York Mets: Clover Park (Port St. Lucie) Clover Park, formerly known as First Data Field, has been the spring training home of the Mets since 1988. It has a seating capacity of 7,160 and features modern amenities such as a 360-degree concourse, suites, and picnic areas. The stadium also has a variety of food and beverage options, as well as a kid's zone. https://www.mlb.com/mets/ballpark/travel-guide/spring-training

• New York Yankees: George M. Steinbrenner Field (Tampa) George M. Steinbrenner Field, also known as "The Boss", has been the spring training home of the Yankees since 1996. It has a seating capacity of 11,000 and features modern amenities such as a 360-degree concourse, suites, and party decks. The stadium also has a variety of food and beverage options, as well as a kid's zone. Website: https://www.mlb.com/yankees/ballpark/travel-guide/spring-training

• Philadelphia Phillies: BayCare Ballpark (Clearwater) BayCare Ballpark, formerly known as Spectrum Field, has been the spring training home of the Phillies since 2004. It has a seating capacity of 8,500 and features modern amenities such as a 360-degree concourse, suites, and picnic areas. The stadium also has a variety of food and beverage options, as well as a kid's zone. Website: https://www.mlb.com/phillies/ballpark/travel-guide/spring-training

• Pittsburgh Pirates: LECOM Park (Bradenton) LECOM Park, formerly known as McKechnie Field, has been the spring training home of the Pirates since 1969. It has a seating capacity of 8,500 and features modern amenities such as a 360-degree concourse, suites, and picnic areas. The stadium also has a variety of food and beverage options, as well as a kid's zone. https://www.mlb.com/pirates/ballpark/travel-guide/spring-training

• St. Louis Cardinals: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium (Jupiter) Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium has been the spring training home of the Cardinals since 1998. It has a seating capacity of 6,871 and features modern amenities such as a 360-degree concourse, suites, and picnic areas. The stadium also has a variety of food and beverage options, as well as a kid's zone. https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/ballpark/travel-guide/spring-training

• Tampa Bay Rays: Charlotte Sports Park (Port Charlotte) Charlotte Sports Park has been the spring training home of the Rays since 2009. It has a seating capacity of 7,000 and features modern amenities such as a 360-degree concourse, suites, and picnic areas. The stadium also has a variety of food and beverage options, as well as a kid's zone. https://www.mlb.com/rays/ballpark/travel-guide/spring-training

• Toronto Blue Jays: TD Ballpark (Dunedin) TD Ballpark, formerly known as Dunedin Stadium, has been the spring training home of the Blue Jays since 1977. It has a seating capacity of 8,500 and features modern amenities such as a 360-degree concourse, suites, and picnic areas. The stadium also has a variety of food and beverage options, as well as a kid's zone. https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/ballpark/travel-guide/spring-training

   

Florida is also home to several minor league baseball teams, including:

• Bradenton Marauders (High-A) The Bradenton Marauders are a High-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They play their home games at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida. The team was founded in 2010 and has won two division titles since then. The team has a variety of promotions throughout the season, including fireworks shows and theme nights. Learn More Here: https://www.milb.com/bradenton

• Clearwater Threshers (defunct) The Clearwater Threshers were a High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They played their home games at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida until the team was disbanded in 2020 due to restructuring within Minor League Baseball. Learn More Here: N/A

• Daytona Tortugas (High-A) The Daytona Tortugas are a High-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. They play their home games at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida. The team was founded in 2015 and has won two division titles since then. The ballpark is named after Jackie Robinson, who played his first integrated game in Daytona Beach. Learn More Here: https://www.milb.com/daytona-tortugas

• Dunedin Blue Jays (Low-A) The Dunedin Blue Jays are a Low-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play their home games at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida. The team was founded in 1987 and has won five division titles since then. The ballpark underwent renovations in 2019 and now features a 360-degree concourse, new seating areas, and a new playing surface. Learn More Here: https://www.milb.com/dunedin

• Florida Fire Frogs (defunct) The Florida Fire Frogs were a Low-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. They played their home games at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, Florida from 2017 to 2019 before being disbanded due to restructuring within Minor League Baseball. Learn More Here: N/A

• Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (Low-A) The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels are a Low-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. They play their home games at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. The team was founded in 1926 and has won six Florida State League championships since then. The team was renamed to the Mighty Mussels in 2020, after being called the Miracle for several decades. Learn More Here: https://www.milb.com/fort-myers

• Gulf Coast League Marlins (Rookie) The Gulf Coast League Marlins are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They play their home games at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. The team was founded in 1983 and has won four division titles since then. The Gulf Coast League is a developmental league for young players who are new to professional baseball. Learn More Here: https://www.milb.com/gulf-coast-marlins

• Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Triple-A) The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are a Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They play their home games at 121 Financial Ballpark in Jacksonville, Florida. The team was founded in 1970 and has won two division titles since then. The team was renamed to the Jumbo Shrimp in 2017, after being called the Suns for several decades. Learn More Here: https://www.milb.com/jacksonville

• Jupiter Hammerheads (Low-A) The Jupiter Hammerheads are a Low-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They play their home games at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. The team was founded in 1998 and has won three division titles since then. The team is named after the hammerhead shark, which is commonly Learn More Here: https://www.milb.com/jupiter

• Lakeland Flying Tigers (Low-A): The Lakeland Flying Tigers are a minor league baseball team that plays in the Low-A Southeast league. They are based in Lakeland, Florida and play their home games at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. The team is affiliated with the Detroit Tigers. Learn More Here: https://www.milb.com/lakeland

• Palm Beach Cardinals (High-A): The Palm Beach Cardinals are a minor league baseball team that plays in the High-A East league. They are based in Jupiter, Florida and play their home games at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The team is affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals. Learn More Here: https://www.milb.com/palm-beach

• Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Double-A): The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are a minor league baseball team that plays in the Double-A South league. They are based in Pensacola, Florida and play their home games at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The team is affiliated with the Miami Marlins. Learn More Here: https://www.milb.com/pensacola

• St. Lucie Mets (Low-A): The St. Lucie Mets are a minor league baseball team that plays in the Low-A Southeast league. They are based in Port St. Lucie, Florida and play their home games at Clover Park. The team is affiliated with the New York Mets.Learn More Here: https://www.milb.com/st-lucie

• Tampa Tarpons (Low-A): The Tampa Tarpons are a minor league baseball team that plays in the Low-A Southeast league. They are based in Tampa, Florida and play their home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The team is affiliated with the New York Yankees. Learn More Here: https://www.milb.com/tampa