The off-season is a reminder that we can’t attend every baseball game, no matter how much a fan might want to be at the ballpark. And for fans of baseball, not so much just one specific team, it’s only physically possible to attend one game per day (save for perhaps a doubleheader or Cubs/Whitesox, Yankees/Mets split). As a result, while managers and GM’s spend the off-season gearing up for spring, fans can make adjustments as well in order to make sure they watch as efficiently as possible in the upcoming season. Spending less money, seeing more games (both in person and at home), doing a fan’s part in willing his or her team towards October glory, it all starts in the months leading up to opening day. So what can you do to make a bigger commitment to baseball in 2011?Season Tickets The holy grail of professional sports fandom, season ticket holders are kingpins, even among aficionados. Arguably the only fans in the stadium with a legitimate right to gripe when the franchise falters, season ticket holders, like players, make a commitment to the team for the full-season. Not to mention, even when out of town, friends and clients will always appreciate an occasional ticket source.Direct TV MLB Extra Innings Great for both fans of a specific team who no longer live within driving distance of the home stadium and general baseball fans who enjoy games regardless of who’s playing. The Extra Innings Package shows up to 80 out of market MLB games a week and is bundled with the MLB Network for additional coverage, opinion and analysis.MLB.tv Read the rest of this entry »

Though we may be mired in the frigid grip of winter, spring is always just around the corner, a source of optimism and hope for baseball fans across the globe as we attempt to look past these bleak baseball-less months. The beginning of March marks the beginning of baseball season, with legions of fans making the trip to their favorite teams spring training site. The Grapefruit League hosts 15 teams with all games played within the state of Florida. The Cactus League also hosts 15 clubs, taking advantage of the warm Arizona desert. Not all competitions are exclusively professional; for example, many big league teams will match up against local college talent in exhibitions, such as Atlanta Braves vs. Georgia Tech, Boston Red Sox vs. Boston College, etc. Furthermore, even in games with two major league teams listed, many clubs utilize split squads, enabling for simultaneous games and allowing for more total playing time. Though spring training statistics do not count towards regulation play, March numbers can go a long way towards building a players confidence entering the season. Not to mention, many rookies earn their spot in the lineup, rotation or bullpen, as spring training position battles are a rite of passage for most aspiring ballplayers. So, where can you see your favorite team play this March? Below is a full listing of participating organizations by league and their spring baseball headquarters.Grapefruit League Florida: Atlanta Braves: Champion Stadium, Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World Boston Red Sox: City of Palms Park, Fort Myers Baltimore Orioles: Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota Detroit Tigers: Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland Florida Marlins: Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter Houston Astros: Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee Minnesota Twins: Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers New York Mets: Digital Domain Park, Port St. Lucie New York Yankees: George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa Philadelphia Phillies: Bright House Field, Clearwater Pittsburgh Pirates: McKechnie Field, Bradenton St. Louis Cardinals: Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter Tampa Bay Rays: Charlotte Sports Park, Port Charlotte Toronto Blue Jays: Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin Washington Nationals: Space Coast Stadium, VieraCactus League Arizona: Read the rest of this entry »