Katie's Utterly Complete Guide to Red Sox Spring Training (Text Version)

 Like a little four-year-old on Christmas Eve, dressed in footie pajamas with the big ole trap door in the back, I lie awake in bed, belly filled with butterflies. My palms sweat as the tic of the alarm clock tries in vain to lull me to sleep.

I decide to count sheep to help. One...two...three...four...

No. 4 was Bobby Doerr...five...six...now batting for the Boston Red Sox, Johnny Pesky...

It's no use.

See, it's the night before Katie and I are going to spring training to see "our" beloved Sox (they used to be mine, but now the gal in the pink cap wants us to share them), so I'm like a little boy in a candy store, and I'm Charlie Bucket, having just found the "Golden Ticket."

Yeah, I know, I got laid off in November. Who didn't? This is the Sox. Am I missing something?

This is life, this is passion. These guys keep me company all summer long and prevent me from having to mow the lawn. We're not talking the Pirates here. It's the Sox.

See, Katie and I unexpectedly went to spring training last year for the first time. I had met our "new friend" Ed at a sales meeting in Dallas in January of 2008. Coincidentally, he was laid off in November, too; we have some synergy going here.

Anyhow, Ed is from Florida, me from the Heaht land, Boston. The land where my Heaht is.

I remember it vividly. He said to me:

"Hi. My name is Ed. You like the Sox?"

I rolled up my sleeve and showed him my Sox tattoo. I was going to show him the Yankees one, but I'd get canned.

"If you're ever in Florida, look me up. We'll go to spring training."

Ed goes to about 25 games a year and sees all manner of different teams. He works until about noon and then....oops, maybe that's why Ed got canned.

Anyhow...

"Okay," I said. "My wife and I will be there in March."

"Just like that?" Ed wondered.

So we went.

Though still spontaneous, Katie makes plans in a much more meticulous way than I do. She is T-H-O-R-O-U-G-H!

Every hotel is checked, every eating establishment is scoped out, even where we are going to get autographs, baseballs, hot dogs, apple pies and...OK, getting carried away.

So, with no further adieu, here is Katie's (not Todd's) Utterly Complete Guide to Red Sox Spring Training at Fort Myers. Of course, as only Katie can do, she has updated it for this years trip.

And for this article...and yes, honey, it's because you're a super wife.

Location History

Told you she's thorough.

Ft. Myers is located in Lee County, Florida and has a current population of approximately 68,000 and growing, though the 2000 census has it listed at only 48,000.

Ft. Myers must put something really impressive in the drinking water, as it claims the summertime homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. The two inventors used to hang at the Seminole Lodge back in 1885 and would go on long drives together.

Edison encouraged Ford to quit his job and work on the first gas-powered automobile. Later, the first Ford dealer opened in Ft. Myers in 1914.

Park History

The Sox moved to their current location in Ft. Myers in 1992 after spending over a quarter century in Winter Haven, Florida. The park was designed by HOK Sport, the same company that built Camden Yards and many other modern parks.

The park has a very Camden-esque feel to it. There are 7,290 permanent seats, including a new right field deck, which was unveiled in 2007.

This area includes about 150 bar stool seats and a drink rail ala the right-field deck in Fenway Park. The park also sells standing room only seats and has sold out 73 consecutive home games. During March, the Boston Globe is sold at the entrance.

Park Address

2201 Edison Ave, Ft Myers 33901

How to Get There

From I-75, take Exit 138 west onto Martin Luther King Blvd., turn left on Fowler St., and then right on Edison Ave.

The ballpark is located on a palm tree-lined street in a neighborhood near houses and an apartment complex. Unlike most Florida spring training parks, it's not visible from the main road.

The Big Move-In

In November 2008, it was announced that the Red Sox will move to a new spring training ballpark in Lee County when it's completed in 2012 (Fort Myers is located within Lee County).

Red Sox CFO Michael Dee announced that the team signed a 30-year lease to play at  the ballpark, which will be paid for entirely by the county.

The city is trying to lure the Orioles to fill the City of Palm Park once the Sox new training facility is built. This would give the area four Grapefruit League teams in a 30-mile radius (Rays, Sox, Twins, as well).

Unofficial Mayor of Ft. Myers

It's the Gator, Mike Greenwell. Greenwell actually lives in Alva now and owns Greenwell's Family Fun Park. Go-karts, arcade, paintball, miniature golf, fish feeding, snack bar, and (of course) batting cages.

Though the Gator is very involved with the lives of his wife and children, he does poke his head in now and then. His phone is 239-574-4386. 

Highlights from Last Year

The sunset at the Mucky Duck was wonderful, as was tooling around the go-kart track at Greenwell's place, watching Papi tool around the bases just as fast, getting Dusty Baker's autograph, and getting a free donut from the parking lot guy for being able to recite the 1972 Orioles lineup off the top of my head (Boog, Johnson, Belanger, Brooks, Frank, Buford, Blair and Etchebarren, Cuellar, Palmer, Dobson and McNally). 

Getting Autographs

Most of the team refrains from signing on the way to practice, as they are focused (though less so than when the regular season starts) and don't want to be late. They aren't snobs or overpaid babies, so don't say that to them. It lessens your chances of getting them to sign your kid's forehead.

Also, know their names. Buy a program and call Brown "Dusty" not "Hey, No. 80".

The younger guys are the most likely to sign, but the stars will too. Take what you get. Who you get and when you get them isn't important.

Let down your hair and have some fun. The players will sign sometimes after they are out of the game and ready to get some work in. As expected, they sign for nice people, not for doofuses.

Where to Pahk the Cah

If you get to the park early enough, there will be plenty of spaces. If you show up within a half hour of game time, you may have to grab a spot at one of the unofficial lots. The cost is $10 or under.

Of course, Katie and I get a spot at the park.  

Best Place to Eat Breakfast Before the Game

Breakfast at the Oasis Restaurant is a must. It's located at 1700 Monroe Street, Ft. Myers, and has been named one of the top 10 breakfasts in the town. Tell 'em Ed and Hoppy sent you.

The hours are weekdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekends 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's within two miles of the ball park.

Best Place to Get Chow

Three Fisherman, the "Undiscovered Jewel of the Sea" according to Ed and Hoppy (my second "new best friend"). Located on 5100 S Cleveland Ave., with phone [phone].

Not a lot of ambiance, as it is in a strip mall, but the food and service are untouchable. Even have great steaks for the land lubbers.

Favorite Spots to Drink a Corona

With lime, of course.

The Tiki Bar at Sam Seltzers Steak is at 12635 South Cleveland, in the Clarion Hotel; call 239-277-7261.

Try that or Shoeless Joes at The Crown Plaza Ft Myers, a great sports bar with good food. You can dine inside or outside under the Tiki.   

Also, if you have a car and don't do anything else, you must have a drink and appetizers at The Mucky Duck on Captiva Island. I'm not sure where heaven is, but I know you can see it from there. The toll bridge is pricey to get over to Captiva, but the ride, the atmsophere, the food, and the sunset are second to none.

Best Place to Catch Some Z's

There are numerous national chains like Courtyard by Marriott, The Fairfield Inn, and Springhill Suites. We love the Hilton Gardens Inn on Summerlin Rd.

A brand new hotel opened in downtown Ft. Myers in the River District called Hotel Indigo; they're "offering premium services, a casually-sophisticated ambiance and a rooftop pool and lounge with picturesque city views."

Crowne Plaza Ft Myers  is very popular with the spring training fans and is also the host hotel for the only official Boston Red Sox Fantasy camp (a must before I get too much older).

And last but not least...

What You Need to Know About the Sun

Dress for warm weather, even in March and April. The sun is hot.

Only Katie can plan like this. God love her!

This article can also be viewed as a slide show under the same title (Picture version).

Photo by Ed Malawskey

For a more comprehensive guide visit, Bostonpastime.com.  Several items in Katie's Guide were sourced from Boston Pastime, the MOST comprehensive guide to everything Sox. Thanks, Graham.

Visit my new blog at Todd's Blog. It's under construction so wear a hardhat.