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Photos courtesy of the Florida Sports Foundation

Thinking about baseball may seem like a dream this early in the year, but while it may be cold in many areas of the country, Florida is heating up in temperature and excitement. Leave the snow shovel behind and enjoy a cold one while being entertained by a favorite team, spring training baseball game and the Grapefruit League. Fans enjoy a different experience than catching just any old game during the regular season. In addition to costing a fraction of the price when it comes to tickets, concessions and souvenirs; spring training provides a much more intimate experience between fans, players and coaching staff members. The laid back vibe of a spring training game, coupled with smaller crowds and perfect weather, creates for a perfect vacation atmosphere whether traveling exclusively for baseball or just incorporating it into an afternoon.

During your next Allegiant vacation to Florida, check out one of these Grapefruit League parks, conveniently located in or just a short drive away from an Allegiant destination.

PARKS NEAR ORLANDOThe Braves call the Walt Disney World Resort area home at Champion Stadium in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Perhaps the most architecturally stunning of the Grapefruit League parks, the stadium is also one of the largest accommodating 9,500 fans. Whether a Braves fan or not, families visiting the Orlando area for the various theme parks will be able to get away from the long lines and chaos while being entertained at Champion Stadium.

Located in Kissimmee, Fla., Osceola County Stadium has been the spring training home of the Houston Astros for 30 years. With a seating capacity of 5,300, Osceola is the smallest in the league. Priding itself on player accessibility, fans are able to get closer to players and coaches than at any other stadium in spring training.

Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla. is home to the Washington Nationals. As if the name didn’t give it away already, the park was built with a space theme to pay homage to nearby Kennedy Space Center. Fans will see even more space themed touches once they are inside. Don’t miss out on the left field tiki bar and picnic area which was added in 2010. It may not be space themed, but who can argue with a tiki bar at a baseball game?

SPRING TRAINING, FLORIDA STYLE AFTER 100 YEARS, FANS STILL FLOCK TO FLORIDA FOR GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE, SPRING TRAINING By Matt Seli

It’s that time of year when the boys of summer get back together to prepare for another run at a World Series Championship. Since the first two Major League teams battled in Florida during spring 1914, fans have followed their favorite teams for spring training in Florida.

Clearwater’s Bright House Field is home to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillieshave held spring training in Clearwater since 1946. Bright House Field opened in 2004

Clearwater’s Bright House Field is home to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies have held spring training in Clearwater since 1946. Bright House Field opened in 2004

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PARKS NEAR TAMPA/ST. PETEPhillies fans—be sure to carry on a mitt when heading to the Tampa area. Once the plan lands at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, visitors can literally be at a Phillies game in less than 20 minutes at Bright House Field. Built in 2004, Bright House is among the newest stadiums in spring training.

Hate them or love them, the Yankees sure do things big. Spring training stadiums are no exception with George M. Steinbrenner field in Tampa boasting of 11,076 seats—the most in the Grapefruit League. The boss wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Also found in the Tampa area are the Blue Jays’ park in Dunedin and the Tigers’ in Lakeland.

PARKS NEAR FORT MYERS/PUNTA GORDACharlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Fla. is the home to the Tampa Bay Rays and offers everything one could want at a baseball game. For fans of the defending World Series Champion Boston Red Sox or the Minnesota Twins, Fort Myers is the spring training home of the two clubs at Jet Blue Park.

With 15 teams playing in 13 parks across the state of Florida, one could easily spend all of spring training following their favorite teams and players while seeing something new each day. If vacationing in Florida from Feb. 25 to March 29, be sure to take an afternoon to experience Major League baseball at its finest. Don’t forget to arrive early for a chance at meeting players and staff members while getting an autograph to take home.

Charlotte County Stadium, home of the Rays in Port Charlotte, is one of many Florida Spring Training Parks with a boardwalk that circles the park and features an outfield Tiki Bar

The Houston Astros will play their 30th season in Osceola County Stadium in 2014

Lakeland’s Joker Marchant Stadium is the spring training home of the Detroit Tigers. The City of Lakeland and the Tigers have the longest-standing relationship between a spring training host city and a Major League team, 78 years, dating back to 1934