If you’re a baseball fan vacationing in Siesta Key in the spring, you’re in for a real treat. In addition to all the area’s beaches, shopping, dining, and outdoor recreation, you can also snag a field side seat to MLB Spring Training.

Just a short drive from your beachside vacation rental in Siesta Key, the Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota serves as headquarters for Baltimore Orioles Spring Training.

Ready to batter up after you hit the beaches? Here’s your guide to Baltimore Orioles Spring Training in Sarasota!

The History of MLB Spring Training in Sarasota

Photo Credit: Keeton Gale

Sarasota has a long history of being a hub for Major League Baseball Spring Training. In fact, the city just celebrated its 100-year anniversary of MLB Spring Training in 2024 and has hosted numerous teams over the years.

Florida Grapefruit League

In 1924, Sarasota joined the ranks of other nearby Spring Training towns like Tampa and Clearwater with its induction into the Florida Grapefruit League. The first MLB Spring Training season began at Sarasota’s Payne Park with the New York Giants. In the years that followed, several other MLB teams took up Spring Training at Payne Park, including the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Cincinnati Reds.

Ed Smith Stadium

In 1989, Spring Training was moved to the newly constructed Ed Smith Stadium, which has now been home to the Baltimore Orioles Spring Training since 2010. A little further south, the Cool Today Park also hosts the Atlanta Braves Spring Training, furthering the beloved baseball culture of Sarasota.

What to Expect: Baltimore Orioles Spring Training

Photo Credit: Debby Wong

If you’re not a baseball super fan and wondering what exactly Spring Training is — it’s considered the preseason in Major League Baseball (MLB). Essentially, it’s a series of practices and real games to get players ready for the upcoming season.

In the spring, baseball teams travel to warmer climates to practice, such as Florida and Arizona, which are both major hubs for MLB Spring Training. It all began back in the late 1800s when the president of the Chicago White Stockings (which later became the Chicago Cubs) started looking for warmer places for the team to practice during the offseason.

The first MLB Spring Training began in Arkansas in 1886 but, over the years, branched out to California, Arizona, Florida, and even Cuba. Today, most, if not all, Spring Training takes place in Arizona with the Cactus League and Florida with the Grapefruit League — which includes the famous Baltimore Orioles Spring Training in Sarasota.

How To Watch Baltimore Orioles Spring Training

Photo Credit: Debby Wong

 

The Baltimore Orioles typically hold their Spring Training during February and March at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. The stadium is located near downtown Sarasota (about 20 minutes from Siesta Key). You can purchase tickets for single games, season passes, or 5-game packages.

Tips for Attending Baltimore Orioles Spring Training

Photo Credit: Pavel L Photo and Video

Want to make the most of your tickets? Here are some tips for attending Baltimore Orioles Spring Training.

1. Check For Promotions

One of the best parts of Spring Training games is all the special promotions. Attendees can look forward to a variety of special events like “Seniors Stroll The Bases,” “Kids Run The Bases,” “Fireworks Night,” and “Family Weekend” — a family favorite full of special kids’ activities, mascot meet and greets, and much more.

Be sure to check the promotions schedule before you go to see what extra fun your Spring Training tickets might grant you access to!

2. Arrive Early

Want a chance to snag autographs from players and coaches or take photos with the team mascot? Plan to arrive early. While it’s never guaranteed that everyone will get an autograph or photo, chances are much better if you arrive early.

Early birds also get the worm when it comes to swag giveaways. From stickers and stuffed animals to t-shirts and towels, many early-arriving attendees have the chance to get their hands on some fun promotional items.

3. Know The Bag Rules

While Spring Training games are more intimate and casual than regular MLB games, the same security rules apply — including the bag rules. To avoid holding up the security line or getting to your seat on time, be sure to check the bag rules ahead of time and know what you can and can’t bring.

Current bag rules state that no bags larger than 5” x 7” are allowed inside the stadium (such as a fanny pack or mini purse), with the exception of medically necessary items, such as diaper bags and clear bags of snacks (see below).

4. Bring Snacks

If you’re not a fan of hot dogs and other traditional baseball stadium foods, be sure to bring some snacks. Guests are permitted one clear ziplock bag, gallon-sized or smaller, filled with snacks. Alcohol is not permitted, and all bags will be subject to search.

Note that these snack rules are specific to Orioles Spring Training home games and do not apply to other stadium games and events.

5. Carry a Credit Card

From parking lots to ticket windows and concession stands to team merch, Ed Smith Stadium is completely cashless. You’ll need to pony up some plastic for those peanuts and popcorn while watching the game, so be sure to bring along a credit card or two!

Currently accepted forms of payment at the stadium include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

Other MLB Spring Training in Sarasota

If you just can’t get enough of America’s favorite pastime and you don’t mind a bit of a drive, you can also check out other MLB Spring Training games in neighboring cities, such as:

 

Book Your Spring Stay in Siesta Key

With warm, sunny weather, breathtaking beaches, and close proximity to MLB Spring Training and other fun things to do, Siesta Key always hits a home run.

Ready to plan your perfect spring vacation? Book your stay with Siesta Key Dreams Vacation Rentals and enjoy a fully furnished vacation home with premium amenities like ocean views, private pools, rooftop sundecks, dock access, and so much more.

And the best part is — you’ll be just minutes away from Baltimore Orioles Spring Training in Sarasota, so you can catch a game whenever you’d like!