This  spring,  15  Major  League  Baseball  teams  journey  to  the  Sunshine  State  for  Spring  Training...

If  you  enjoy  watching  or  participating  in  athletics,  there  are  countless  things  to  do  in  Central  Florida  to  please  any  sports  fan.  Learn  the  

ropes  in  this  free  ebook!

HOME RUN

WITH A CENTRAL

FLORIDA VACATION

THIS SPRING

HOW TO HIT A

HOW TO HIT A HOME RUN WITH A CENTRAL FLORIDA

VACATION THIS SPRINGIf  you've  never  experienced  a  Central  Florida  vacation  in  the  spring,  now  is  the  time.  The  weather  is  mild,  fragrant  orange  blossoms  are  in  bloom  and  most  important,  baseball  fever  is  in  full  swing!  This  spring,  15  Major  League  Baseball  teams  journey  to  the  Sunshine  State  for  Spring  Training.  In  Central  Florida,  Lakeland  transforms  into  Tiger  Town  as  the  Detroit  Tigers  step  up  to  the  plate,  bringing  excitement  and  energy  to  the  entire  city.  Spring  training  games  provide  the  perfect  opportunity  for  the  entire  family  to  experience  the  thrill  of  professional  baseball,  up  close  and  personal.  If  you  enjoy  watching  or  participating  in  athletics,  there  are  countless  things  to  do  in  Central  Florida  to  please  any  sports  fan.

Create A Sports Fan's Ideal Central Florida Vacation With Detroit Tigers Spring Training

Have  you  always  wanted  to  attend  a  Major  League  Baseball  game,  but  just  couldn't  work  those  expensive  tickets  into  your  budget?  Or  perhaps  there  isn't  a  team  in  your  hometown.  Either  way,  those  peanuts  and  Cracker  Jack  are  never  out  of  reach  when  it  comes  to  spring  training  games.  Whether  you're  in  the  market  for  a  quick  road  trip  or  a  full-­‐fledged  family  trip,  taking  in  a  Tigers  spring  training  game  is  the  perfect  starting  point  for  any  Central  Florida  vacation.

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Be Part Of A Long-Standing Tradition

When  the  Detroit  Tigers  kick  off  their  exhibition  season,  they  took  the  field  at  Joker  Marchant  Stadium  for  the  48th  consecutive  season  in  2013.  Even  more  impressive,  that  year  also  marks  the  77th  season  of  Detroit  Tigers  spring  training  in  Lakeland  -­‐  the  longest  standing  relationship  between  a  major  league  team  and  host  city!  

The  Tigers  exhibition  season  at  Joker  Marchant  begins  with  a  matchup  against  the  Atlanta  Braves,  Toronto  Blue  Jays  and  New  York  Yankees.  Be  sure  to  plan  your  Central  Florida  vacation  during  the  month  of  March,  so  you  don't  miss  out  on  this  local  tradition!  

A Different Kind Of Major League Baseball

For  the  avid  baseball  fan,  it  doesn't  get  much  better  than  spring  training  in  Florida.  This  is  your  chance  to  experience  a  different  kind  of  major  league  baseball,  the  way  it  was  decades  ago  before  the  giant  stadiums  and  outrageous  ticket  prices.  The  facilities  are  smaller,  so  every  seat  in  the  house  provides  a  fantastic  view  of  the  action.  The  atmosphere  is  more  relaxed  and  the  players  are  much  more  accessible  than  at  a  major  league  stadium.  

In  fact,  fans  are  welcome  to  interact  with  the  players  and  have  been  known  to  come  home  with  an  occasional  autograph  or  two!  For  the  future  all-­‐star  in  your  family,  you  can't  beat  the  up  close  and  personal  environment  of  spring  training.  Fans  are  even  allowed  to  watch  the  teams  practice.  Pitchers  and  catchers  generally  arrive  in  February,  with  the  entire  team  following  in  March.  Don’t  miss  the  chance  to  see  2011  American  League  MVP  and  Cy  Young  Award  winning  pitcher  Justin  Verlander  up  close  and  in  action.  This  is  definitely  an  opportunity  to  knock  one  out  of  the  park  if  you're  looking  for  affordable  things  to  do  in  Central  Florida.

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Copyright © Central Florida Visitors & Convention Bureau  •  2701 Lake Myrtle Park Road, Auburndale FL 33823  •  1-800-828-7655

See All Your Favorite Teams In Action

When  it  comes  to  Major  League  Baseball,  every  sports  fan  has  their  favorite  team  -­‐  and  here's  your  opportunity  to  get  a  sneak  peak  of  what  your  team  will  have  to  offer  when  the  regular  season  begins!  When  you  attend  a  Tigers  exhibition  game  as  part  of  your  Central  Florida  vacation,  not  only  will  you  see  the  amazing  talents  of  the  Tigers  players,  but  you  can  catch  several  of  your  other  favorite  MLB  teams  in  action  as  well.  

Check  out  the  Tigers  full  exhibition  schedule  to  find  out  if  your  favorite  team  will  be  taking  the  field  this  season  at  Joker  Marchant  Stadium  in  Lakeland.

Florida's Grapefruit League: Professional Baseball At Its Best

The  tradition  of  spring  training  baseball  in  Central  Florida  dates  back  to  1913  when  the  Chicago  Cubs  implemented  the  first  spring  training  in  Tampa.  Today,  15  Major  League  Baseball  teams  comprise  Florida's  Grapefruit  League,  venturing  to  locations  all  across  sunny  Florida  each  year  for  spring  training.  If  you're  planning  to  attend  a  Detroit  Tigers  game  in  Lakeland,  why  not  take  a  little  road  trip  and  check  out  some  of  the  other  Grapefruit  League  teams?  The  New  York  Yankees  train  in  Tampa,  the  Houston  Astros  in  Kissimmee  and  the  Philadelphia  Phillies  play  in  Clearwater.  There  are  endless  opportunities  to  travel  across  the  Sunshine  State  and  take  in  some  world-­‐class  baseball.  Who  knows,  you  may  even  create  a  brand  new  family  tradition  of  your  own!

RussMatt Baseball Central Florida Collegiate Invitational

Tigers  spring  training  isn't  the  only  Central  Florida  baseball  tradition!  The  annual  RussMatt  Baseball  Central  Florida  Collegiate  Invitational  is  a  crowd-­‐pleasing  favorite  that  keeps  players  and  spectators  coming  back  to  check  out  the  action  year  after  year.  Each  year's  event  runs  from  February  through  March  and  will  feature  more  than  200  college  teams  in  all  divisions  (NCAA  D  I,  II,  III,  NAIA  and  JUCO).  To  give  you  an  idea  of  just  how  big  this  event  really  is,  that's  more  college  teams  participating  in  the  Central  Florida  Collegiate  Invitational  than  all  other  Florida  spring  break  competitions  combined!

Games  are  played  at  top-­‐notch  facilities  in  Winter  Haven  and  Auburndale,  both  within  an  hour's  driving  distance  to  either  Tampa  Airport  or  Orlando  International  Airport  -­‐  so  transportation  is  a  breeze!  The  two  primary  venues  include  a  former  major  league  spring  training  stadium  and  a  state  of  the  art  sports  complex  boasting  five  collegiate  baseball  fields  and  the  Florida  Sports  Hall  of  Fame.  Several  nearby  colleges  provide  secondary  fields.  Whether  you  have  a  friend  or  family  member  playing  in  the  tournament,  or  simply  want  to  experience  the  best  college  baseball  has  to  offer,  the  Central  Florida  Collegiate  Invitational  is  the  perfect  spring  retreat. 2

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Copyright © Central Florida Visitors & Convention Bureau  •  2701 Lake Myrtle Park Road, Auburndale FL 33823  •  1-800-828-7655

Step Up To The Plate With A Sports-Themed Central Florida Vacation

If  watching  all  that  baseball  has  inspired  you  to  hit  a  home  run  of  your  own,  there  are  plenty  of  things  to  do  in  Central  Florida  for  the  sports  enthusiast!  So  why  not  extend  your  trip  and  check  out  all  of  the  sports-­‐related  attractions  the  area  has  to  offer?  If  you  love  to  fish,  hike,  golf,  swim  or  just  enjoy  being  outdoors  among  nature,  Polk  County  will  not  disappoint.  There  are  a  number  of  scenic  parks,  lakes,  golf  courses,  batting  cages  and  other  athletic  activities,  all  within  driving  distance  of  the  venues  hosting  the  Tigers  spring  training  and  Central  Florida  Collegiate  Invitational.

Off The Wall Adventures

Ready  to  hit  the  batting  cages?  Looking  to  get  your  adrenaline  pumping  with  some  paintball  or  kayaking?  Off  the  Wall  Adventures  in  Lakeland  offers  everything  you  need  to  get  up  out  of  those  bleachers  and  get  moving!  This  sprawling  athletic  complex  includes  a  paintball  field,  batting  cages,  a  heated  swimming  pool  and  opportunities  for  scuba  diving,  kayaking  and  fishing  excursions.  Best  of  all,  it's  located  right  in  Lakeland,  providing  an  ideal  way  to  get  some  exercise  after  filling  up  on  nachos  and  hot  dogs  at  the  Tigers  game!

Catch A Professional Basketball Or Hockey Game

Can't  get  enough  live  sports  during  your  Central  Florida  vacation?  You're  in  luck,  because  Grapefruit  League  Spring  Training  in  Florida  coincides  with  the  NBA  and  NHL's  regular  season  as  well,  so  there  is  no  shortage  of  opportunities  to  experience  the  excitement  of  professional  sports.  If  basketball  is  your  sport  of  choice,  the  Orlando  Magic  play  at  the  Amway  Center  in  Orlando  from  November  through  April;  or  if  you're  heading  west  from  Central  Florida,  consider  catching  some  hockey!  The  Tampa  Bay  Lightning  take  the  ice  at  the  Tampa  Bay  Times  Forum,  with  regular  season  games  also  taking  place  from  October  through  April.

Whether  you  enjoy  playing  sports  and  being  part  of  the  action,  or  prefer  sitting  back,  relaxing  with  an  ice  cold  beverage  and  watching  the  pros  show  you  how  it's  done,  there  are  a  number  of  exciting  things  to  do  in  Central  Florida  for  sports  enthusiasts  and  casual  fans  alike.  Whatever  your  perception  of  the  ideal  sports  vacation,  you'll  be  ready  to  step  up  to  the  plate  when  the  time  comes  to  plan  your  next  springtime  getaway!

Useful Resources

VisitCentralFlorida.org:  Central  hub  for  official  Central  Florida  visitor  information.  Request  a  free  Central  Florida  vacation  planner  and  view  an  interactive  vacation  guide  the  VisitCentralFlorida.org  website

Detroit  Tigers  Spring  Training:  Heading  to  Lakeland  for  Spring  Training?  Here  you  can  view  the  Tigers  complete  exhibition  schedule,  purchase  tickets,  learn  more  about  Joker  Marchant  Stadium  and  even  buy  gift  certificates.

Major  League  Baseball  Spring  Training:  This  is  your  source  for  Spring  Training  information  for  all  30  MLB  teams,  including  Florida's  Grapefruit  League  and  Arizona's  Cactus  League.

Florida's  Grapefruit  League:  Learn  the  history  of  Florida's  Grapefruit  League  and  get  all  the  information  you  need  regarding  teams  and  locations.

Spring  Training  Online:  Here  you  can  keep  up  with  all  the  latest  Spring  Training  news,  participate  in  discussion  boards  and  even  order  a  Spring  Training  guide.

Lakeland  Flying  Tigers:  When  Tigers  Spring  Training  wraps  up  at  Joker  Marchant  Stadium,  the  Lakeland  Flying  Tigers  minor  league  baseball  team  steps  up  to  the  plate.  Check  out  their  schedule,  buy  tickets  and  learn  more  about  the  players!

RussMatt  Baseball  Central  Florida  Collegiate  Invitational:  Whether  you're  participating  in  the  tournament  or  just  plan  to  attend  as  a  spectator,  this  site  provides  all  the  necessary  info  regarding  registration,  scheduling,  tournament  rules,  lodging  and  facilities.

Off  the  Wall  Adventures:  Looking  to  stretch  those  legs  after  the  ballgame?  Learn  more  about  the  variety  of  sports  and  activities  offered  at  Off  the  Wall  Adventures,  including  paintball  and  kayaking!

Orlando  Magic  Basketball:  This  site  is  your  source  for  everything  Orlando  Magic!  Check  out  the  latest  team  news  and  stats,  watch  videos  and  purchase  tickets.

Tampa  Bay  Lightning  Hockey:  If  you're  ready  to  take  to  the  ice,  the  Lightning's  home  page  provides  all  the  latest  team  stats,  videos,  full  schedule  and  ticket  information.

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