{"id":143547,"date":"2026-01-22T08:23:45","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T08:23:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=143547"},"modified":"2026-01-22T08:23:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T08:23:45","slug":"report-before-the-florida-sun-even-reaches-its-peak-something-feels-different-in-sarasota-the-orioles-spring-training-is-buzzing-with-purpose-competition-and-quiet-confidence-as-veteran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=143547","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Before the Florida sun even reaches its peak, something feels different in Sarasota. The Orioles\u2019 spring training is buzzing with purpose, competition, and quiet confidence, as veterans lead, young stars push forward, and every drill hints at bigger expectations ahead. This isn\u2019t just another warm-weather tune-up\u2014it may be the place where the shape of the entire season is being decided"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spring training is less than a month away, and Grapefruit League play begins on February 20th<\/sup>. Pitchers and catchers report on February 11th<\/sup>, and those participating in the World Baseball Classic report two days before.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Orioles have been at the newly improved Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota since 2010. The area has grown markedly since then, and since the Orioles left for home last March, work on a new player development facility began.<\/p>\n

The building, which will be unveiled tothe press before the start of spring training, will have a hitting and pitching lab as well as office space, conference rooms and locker rooms.<\/p>\n

How do I get there?\u00a0<\/strong>Southwest Airlines has four daily nonstop flights to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. The airport is about 5 miles away from Ed Smith Stadium. Major car rental companies are on the premises.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re driving from Baltimore, it\u2019s a 14 \u00bd hour drive.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Where do I stay?\u00a0<\/strong>There are dozons of hotels, including a number by the airport. Hotels around Main Street are a great choice. Downtown Sarasota is about 2 \u00bd miles away from Ed Smith.<\/p>\n

If you want to stay on the beach, Lido Key is about 6 miles away, but traffic can build up during rush hour. There are several hotels there.<\/p>\n

Siesta Key is always popular, but I\u2019ve shied away from it in recent years because of heavier traffic and costly parking.<\/p>\n

Hotel rooms are costly, and many fans are using Airbnb and Vrbo for short-term rentals.<\/p>\n

What do I need to know about the ballpark?\u00a0<\/strong>Ed Smith Stadium is on 12th<\/sup>\u00a0Street and Tuttle Avenue. It\u2019s in a residential neighborhood, and there are 1,800 parking spots.<\/p>\n

Bags are prohibited, but non-alcoholic beverages in plastic bottles are allowed. Clutch purses no larger than 5-by-7 inches are permitted.<\/p>\n

Outside food is allowed in a clear bag, no larger than one gallon.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a cashless stadium. Food, paring and tickets must be paid for with a card.<\/p>\n

Can I watch workouts?\u00a0<\/strong>For years, fans have been able to watch workouts on the back fields before games begin. This year, there will be enhanced and expanded fans access, so fans can watch workouts on both home and away game dates with entry beginning approximately four hours before the scheduled game time.<\/p>\n

How many games will the Orioles play at home?\u00a0<\/strong>The Orioles have 15 home games against major league teams. They\u2019ll also play Team Netherlands on March 3rd<\/sup>\u00a0just before the World Baseball Classic begins. Their Spring Breakout game against the Boston Red Sox prospects is on March 20th<\/sup>\u00a0at 6:05 p.m.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Their first game is on February 20th<\/sup>\u00a0against the New York Yankees. All home games begin at 1:05 p.m. except for March 15th<\/sup>, 16th\u00a0<\/sup>and 19th<\/sup>, which begin at 6:05 p.m.<\/p>\n

The Orioles will host the Yankees, Pirates, Rays, Braves, Tigers, Astros, Cardinals, Twins, Blue Jays, Red Sox and Phillies.<\/p>\n

Gates open two hours before game times.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking forward to seeing Gunnar Henderson and Dean Kremer in Grapefruit League games, your opportunities might be limited. Henderson is playing for Team USA and Kremer for Team Israel, and they\u2019ll be leaving early in the Grapefruit League schedule to prepare for the WBC.<\/p>\n

Can I see the Orioles on the road?\u00a0<\/strong>Sure, but lots of the regulars may not play on the road, particularly early in spring training.<\/p>\n

The closest road games are at LECOM<\/p>\n

Where do I stay?\u00a0<\/strong>There are dozons of hotels, including a number by the airport. Hotels around Main Street are a great choice. Downtown Sarasota is about 2 \u00bd miles away from Ed Smith.<\/p>\n

If you want to stay on the beach, Lido Key is about 6 miles away, but traffic can build up during rush hour. There are several hotels there.<\/p>\n

Siesta Key is always popular, but I\u2019ve shied away from it in recent years because of heavier traffic and costly parking.<\/p>\n

Hotel rooms are costly, and many fans are using Airbnb and Vrbo for short-term rentals.<\/p>\n

What do I need to know about the ballpark?\u00a0<\/strong>Ed Smith Stadium is on 12th<\/sup>\u00a0Street and Tuttle Avenue. It\u2019s in a residential neighborhood, and there are 1,800 parking spots.<\/p>\n

Bags are prohibited, but non-alcoholic beverages in plastic bottles are allowed. Clutch purses no larger than 5-by-7 inches are permitted.<\/p>\n

Outside food is allowed in a clear bag, no larger than one gallon.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a cashless stadium. Food, paring and tickets must be paid for with a card.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Spring training is less than a month away, and Grapefruit League play begins on February 20th. Pitchers and catchers report on February 11th, and those participating in… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":143568,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-143547","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\nREPORT: Before the Florida sun even reaches its peak, something feels different in Sarasota. The Orioles\u2019 spring training is buzzing with purpose, competition, and quiet confidence, as veterans lead, young stars push forward, and every drill hints at bigger expectations ahead. 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