Take Me Out to the Ball Game: Spring Training Starts March 1 in Jupiter

Sitting in the sunshine enjoying America’s pastime – is there a better way to spend an afternoon? We think not.

In Jupiter, we’re lucky enough to have not one, but two teams warming up for the regular season right here in our own backyard.

The Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals call Roger Dean Stadium in Abacoa “home” during February and March. And in less than a week, both teams will take the field for their first spring training game of the 2014 season. Are you ready?

The teams’ spring training schedules include exciting matchups against the Mets, Red Sox, Nationals and Twins, to name a few.  Here are a few things to know before you go:

Location: Roger Dean Stadium, 4751 Main Street in Abacoa

Parking: Preferred parking is available in four locations, including the Abacoa garage and three nearby lots. (Fee: $10; parking passes can be purchased from Ticketmaster or through the Roger Dean ticket office.)

Activities & Souvenirs: Test your pitching and batting skills with the interactive batting cage and speed pitch, located at the end of the first base concourse. Browse hats, bats, gloves and other baseball souvenirs at the Teamstore, located in the concourse behind home plate. Portable merchandise carts can also be found at various locations within the stadium.

Concessions: Choose from four different concession stands, located on the first and third base-side concourses – each serving classic baseball fare, including hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn and soda. Individual vendors will also be roaming the aisles. (Have a smartphone? Download the GeeBo app to order food and have it delivered right to your seat on the lower level, or to pay roving vendors without  having to use cash.)

Tickets: Season tickets, single-game tickets, group tickets and 6-game mini plans are still available – visit http://rogerdeanstadium.com/tickets/spring-training-tickets for more info.

Spring training runs from March 1 to March 25. For complete team schedules and game times, visit www.rogerdeanstadium.com or the teams’ individual websites.

Play ball!