Spring Training is a great way to see your team while on vacation in the Orlando area.

Having such an extremely cold winter, I am ready for Spring! I’m sick of the cold, but then, I’ve lived in Florida so long anything below 80° is cold. One sign that spring is on its way is the commencement of Spring Training Baseball. Oh yeah! The smell of hot dogs, the pinging sound of a bat making contact, and an umpire yelling, “Let’s play ball!”

If you’re here on vacation, maybe your home team is training nearby. Many major league teams hold spring training camps and exhibition games in Florida. It gives tourists a chance to check out the new lineups while here on vacation. Many locals check on their home team – the Marlins or Devil Rays, as well as their favorite adversary.

At Disney’s Wide World of Sports you have the Atlanta Braves on the roster. The Houston Astros are in the dug-out in Kissimmee at the Osceola County Stadium. And the Detroit Tigers make their spring home in Lakeland at the Joker Marchant Stadium. The Disney Sports Complex is a wonderful venue and hosts many other sports which can often be seen once your ticket gets you into the venue. ESPN’s own Wide World of Sports Grill is fun with large screen tv’s and a menu to suit all ages. Read our review. The Osceola County Stadium is newly built and easy to get to via the FL Turnpike. It’s been awhile since attending a game in Lakeland and don’t remember much about the stadium, but know I had a great time.

Here are the Major League Baseball Spring Training schedules for the Atlanta Braves & Houston Astros – Osceola County teams in the Grapefruit League.

Houston Astros Spring Training
Osceola County Stadium, 321-697-3200

  • Tuesday, March 8, 1:05 p.m., vs. New York Mets
  • Thursday, March 10, 7:05 p.m., vs. Washington Nationals
  • Saturday, March 12, 1:05 p.m., vs. Baltimore Orioles
  • Monday, March 14, 1:05 p.m., vs. Philadelphia Phillies
  • Wednesday, March 16, 1:05 p.m., vs. Washington Nationals
  • Saturday, March 19, 1:05 p.m., vs. St. Louis Cardinals
  • Sunday, March, 20, 1:05 p.m., vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Monday, March 21, 1:05 p.m., vs. Detroit Tigers
  • Thursday, March 24, 1:05 p.m., vs. Tampa Bay Rays
  • Saturday, March 26, 1:05 p.m., vs. Washington Nationals
  • Sunday, March 27, 1:05 p.m., vs. Detroit Tigers
  • Wednesday, March 30, 1:05 p.m., vs. Boston Red Sox
  • Thursday, March 31, 1:05 p.m., vs. Boston Red Sox

Atlanta Braves Spring Training
Champion Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports, 407-939-4263

  • Tuesday, March 8, 1:05 p.m., vs. New York Yankees
  • Wednesday, March 9, 1:05 p.m., vs. St. Louis Cardinals
  • Thursday, March 10, 1:05 p.m., vs. St. Louis Cardinals
  • Saturday, March 12, 1:05 p.m., vs. New York Mets
  • Sunday, March 13, 1:05 p.m., vs. Houston Astros
  • Wednesday, March 16, 1:05 p.m., vs. Boston Red Sox
  • Thursday, March 17, 6:05 p.m., vs. Washington Nationals
  • Saturday, March 19, 1:05 p.m., vs. New York Mets
  • Sunday, March 20, 1:05 p.m., vs. Houston Astros
  • Wednesday, March 23, 1:05 p.m., vs. Florida Marlins
  • Friday, March 25, 6:05 p.m., vs. Detroit Tigers
  • Sunday, March 27, 1:05 p.m., vs. Philadelphia Phillies
  • Monday, March 28, 6:05 p.m., vs. Washington Nationals
  • Tuesday, March 29, 7:05 p.m., vs. Minnesota Twins
  • Wednesday, March 30, 12:05 p.m., vs. Minnesota Twins

Tickets are fairly inexpensive ($15 & up) and a day out at the ballpark may just be what your winter-weary spirit is calling for. So root, root, root for the home team, whichever park you may go. Peanuts, popcorn and Cracker Jacks; I don’t care if Winter ever comes back!!