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Take Me Out to the Ball Game (and Golf Course, Too)

Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training camps all over Florida and Arizona this week, meaning golf courses and sports bars all over both states are about to experience busy season.

Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training camps all over Florida and Arizona this week, meaning golf courses and sports bars all over both states are about to experience busy season. Maybe it's in the swings of the bat and club, but spring training and golf go together like America and apple pie.

Spring Training Online (www.springtrainingonline.com) is an online resource providing information on your favorite team's spring training site. Details on ballpark locations, ticket prices, telephone numbers to acquire tickets, and spring training-related news (such as the building of a new complex for the Cleveland Indians in Goodyear, Arizona) are all over the easy to maneuver site. For example, McKechnie Field, the spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates first opened in 1923, has no lights and boasts some of the best foot-long hot dogs of the Grapefruit League, the nickname of Florida's spring training league. Grandstand seats at the Bradentown, Florida ballpark cost $8-$9 and the closest airport to the field is in Tampa or Sarasota.

You can combine the best of baseball and golf with a package to a city where the spring training teams practice. Golf Pac Travel (tel. 888/848-8941; www.golfpactravel.com) has a limited-time offer on a special to Tampa with accommodations at the Holiday Inn Express Tampa Stadium and golfing at The Eagles, Fox Hollow, TPC of Tampa Bay and Westchase. Starting at $477 per person, these packages are available for travel from now through April 9, 2007. This special includes three nights' accommodations, four rounds of golf with a cart at each of the above-mentioned courses, and all taxes associated. The hotel is very close to Legends Field (tel. 813/875-7753; www.legendsfieldtampa.com), the spring training home of the New York Yankees.

Orbitz (tel. 888/656-4546; www.orbitz.com) is running a spring training special with trips to Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Miami, Phoenix and Tucson. An air/land vacation package to Ft. Lauderdale leaving from several U.S. gateways with accommodations at the Paradise Beach Resort in Pompano Beach starts $339. The package price includes tickets to a game. A three-night trip to the Tucson area with air, tickets to a game, and accommodations at the Best Western Royal Inn and Suites starts at $346.

Scottsdale Golf Adventures (tel. 800/398-8100; www.scottsdalegolfadventures.com) has packages to the well-known golf area where the spring training Cactus League plays ball. Good through April 30, 2007, the trip includes three nights at the Millennium Court Hotel and three rounds of golf at the McCormick Ranch, the Las Sendas Golf Club and the Longbow Golf Course. Prices start at $599 per golfer for travel from April 17 to April 30, 2007. Other available Arizona specials include rounds at the Camelback Golf Club accommodations at the Four Seasons Resort. Very proud of its spring training tradition, Scottsdale is the spring home of the San Francisco Giants. Tickets start at $8 for standing room only seats. The Giants kick off their spring training home schedule on March 2, 2007 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Plan your own spring training trip with fellow Frommer's travelers on our Road Trip Message Boards today.




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