Spring Baseball in the State of Florida has grown to be Major Business

At one time when baseball teams went south in February it was largely because the climate was better than in their northern locals.  But over the years another main reason has developed: money.  Spring training baseball in Florida as well as Arizona has changed into a good income stream, both for the baseball teams and for the nearby economies wherever they take up residence.  Florida alone in 2009 showed within a survey that spring training baseball created a $753 million monetary impact.  That breaks down to around $47 million for each team, and it's probably growing annually.

The Florida economy obviously receives a major bump from out-of-town followers spending cash at hotels as well as restaurants.  It's estimated that just about one-half of all the fans attending spring training competitions are from outside Florida.  With total attendance for 2011 amounting to over 1.5 million, that's a great deal of out of state folks boosting the local economic climate.

One additional reward is delivering a lift to Florida tourism by revealing the great climatic conditions while northerners still are shoveling snow.  It's worthy of note that during games the public address announcers always make it a point to give the temperatures and forecast at the stadium, then in the home market.  There is nothing like rubbing it in.

Local Florida communities now go after the baseball business just like it is as important as getting their own major league franchise.  Deals are made and the quality of training features gets to be crucial in trying to keep the major league franchise happy.  Plus relationships have long been developed among communities together with the major league teams that help to make the ties even more binding.  The marketing relationship comprises advertisements in the big league park for the Florida community.  As an example, the Baltimore Orioles promote Sarasota inside the home park in Baltimore.

In Ft. Myers, where I have been to watch the Minnesota Twins proceed through their particular spring paces, there's a Twins minor league Class A team.  This offers the Ft. Myers people a link with the Twins.  Several of the Twins players have taken residence in Ft. Myers.  As well, it is necessary these teams have other major league clubs nearby, and with the Boston Red Sox also nearby it enables for plenty of practice games without any need of traveling a great distance.

The specific upgrades that are being completed at the Twins facility are actually quite remarkable.  There are quite a few fields within the area; you'll notice sizable parking lots, a beautiful park which has a waterfall near the entrance.  And it is interesting to be able to get close to the competitors and watch them work on their particular craft.  If you are a baseball fan and never have had a spring training experience, I think you'd really enjoy it.

The specific improvements that are being made at the Twins facility really are rather remarkable.  One can find quite a few fields in the vicinity; you'll notice large parking lots, a beautiful park with a waterfall near the entrance.  And it is interesting to be able to get close to the players and see them work on their craft.  If you truly are a baseball fan and haven't had a spring training experience, I'm sure you'd really enjoy it.