| Many people take their annual vacation down to | | | | down a week or so later so that the whole team |
| watch spring training baseball in Florida. Every year | | | | can practice together. Following this the |
| professional baseball teams take to the southern | | | | professional teams then play against college and |
| state to get training in before the professional | | | | university teams, as well as other professional |
| season commences for another year. The timing | | | | teams who are also undertaking spring training |
| is also important for many college students as it | | | | baseball in Florida. |
| will often correspond with their spring break, so | | | | Many professional baseball teams, like the New |
| spring training games are often sell outs. | | | | York Yankees, will have dedicated grounds at |
| Alongside Arizona, spring training baseball in Florida | | | | which they base their whole spring training baseball |
| is the main venue for professional baseball teams, | | | | in Florida around. The professional teams then |
| and it has been many years since other venues, | | | | form a "Grapefruit League" where they play |
| like Cuba and the Dominican Republic have been | | | | against other professional teams in Florida. The |
| chosen. Half of the professional clubs head to | | | | spring training baseball in Florida includes such |
| Arizona and half to Florida. Florida has the | | | | notable teams as the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red |
| perfectly climate to get the professional teams in | | | | Sox, Cleveland Indians and LA Dodgers. |
| shape. It gives a chance for established players to | | | | Spring training baseball in Florida is a great way for |
| get back into shape but also provides a chance | | | | players to get into shape, as well as providing |
| for up and coming players to stake their claim to | | | | team managers with a good idea of what the |
| a spot on the roster. | | | | starting line up is going to be when the season |
| Traditionally what happens is that the whole club | | | | starts for real. Florida is also a great venue for |
| up sticks and moves to a new home for | | | | fans. It provides a great way for those in Florida |
| February and March. As well as the backroom | | | | to see other teams than their normal local ones, |
| staff, the first players to arrive will be the | | | | but is also a great vocational site for those |
| pitchers, who are usually given additional time to | | | | travelling south from other major cities, who will |
| get their arms in. The rest of the squad comes | | | | enjoy the baseball and weather in equal measure. |