The document promotes a spring vacation in Central Florida centered around spring training baseball. It notes that 15 Major League Baseball teams, including the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals, conduct spring training in Central Florida locations like Lakeland. Spring training games offer a cheaper alternative to regular season games. Central Florida also offers college baseball tournaments and other sports activities to complement visiting spring training games.

1. Hitting A Home Run
With A Central
Florida Vacation
Presented by
Central Florida Visitors And Convention Bureau
www.VisitCentralFlorida.org

2. Experience A
Central Florida Spring
• Spring is the perfect time to
experience a Central Florida vacation.
• If you’re a baseball fan, take a trip and
get a first hand glimpse at 15 Major
League Baseball teams as they begin
their Spring Training.
• Lakeland, located in Central Florida, turns into Tiger Town as the
Detroit Tigers get out of the cold and step up to the plate in
Central Florida.
• The Tigers aren’t the only game in town, however, sports fans can
find a number of other things to do in
Central Florida.

3. Why A Spring Training Game?
• Spring training games are ideal for
families because they come with a
smaller price tag, but still offer the
same excitement as a regular season
game.
• Spring games offer balmy Florida
weather while providing access to
15 major league teams.
• The facilities are smaller, which
means that every seat provides a
great view of the action on the field.
!
• Fans are able to watch practice sessions and may have an
opportunity to get autographs from
players!

4. The Detroit Tigers Have A
Tradition In Central Florida
• For the 47th consecutive
season, the Detroit Tigers
have taken the field at
Joker Marchant Stadium.
• 2012 also marks the 76th
season that the Tigers will
conduct their spring
training in Lakeland.
!
• This is the longest relationship between a team and host city.
• The Tigers kick off their season against
the Atlanta Braves on March 4.

5. What Teams Can You Find
In Central Florida?
• The Detroit Tigers aren’t the only
team you’ll be able to see in Central
Florida.
• On March 17, the World Champion
St. Louis Cardinals play the Tigers.
• The American League East Champion
New York Yankees play the Tigers on
March 24.
• The National League East Champion
Philadelphia Phillies will play on
March 9 and March 25.

6. Florida’s Grapefruit League
• 15 Major League teams
train in Florida and make
up what’s known as
Florida’s Grapefruit League.
• The New York Yankees play
in Tampa, the Houston
Astros play in Kissimmee
and the Philadelphia Phillies play in Clearwater.
• With so many different teams playing in Florida, residents and
visitors alike have the chance to take in some world-class
baseball.

7. 2012 RussMatt Baseball Central
Florida Collegiate Invitational
• The annual RussMatt
Baseball Central Florida
Collegiate Invitational
keeps players and fans
coming back year after
year.
• This year, the event runs
from February 18 - March
30 and more than 200 !
college teams will compete in all divisions.
• Two popular venues for games include a former major league
spring training stadium and a state of the
art sports complex.

8. Other Sports Themed Activities
For A Central Florida Vacation
• There are a number of other things to
enjoy in Central Florida, including
parks, water sports, batting cages, golf
courses and more.
• Off the Wall Adventures in Lakeland
has a paintball field and batting cages,
and offers kayaking, scuba diving and
fishing.
• Other sports opportunities include
catching an Orlando Magic game at
the Amway Center or seeing the Tampa
!
Bay Lightening at the Tampa Bay Times
Forum.

9. About Central Florida Visitors
And Convention Bureau
• VisitCentralFlorida.org is the go to source for current information
on attractions, accommodations and events to consider when
planning a Central Florida vacation.
• Central Florida Visitors and Convention Bureau’s new vacation
guide features LEGOLAND® Florida and a host of other
exciting, family-friendly activities.
• To order a copy of this new vacation planning guide, click on
VisitCentralFlorida.org or email us at info@visitcentralflorida.org.