A Guide to Spring Training with the Boston Red Sox

From Groundhog Day to Valentine's Day, February brings hope to many. Hope for an early departure from winter, hope for a newly kindled romance or the perfect celebration of love everlasting. For most of New England it means something entirely different. Pitchers and catchers report to spring training camp. That's right, spring training. It's the first chance to get a look at the new squad and for many in Red Sox Nation that is a prospect few are willing to overlook.

The Red Sox have had an historic and action packed off season. After a miserable second half last year it seems GM Theo Epstein would stop at nothing to bring a World Series contender to Boston for the 2007 season. It's going to be an exciting spring and tickets will be difficult to come by. With a roster that includes newly acquired Japanese ace Daisuke Matsuzaka and veteran outfielder J.D. Drew along with fan favorites like David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling and Jason Varitek, games will almost certainly be selling out quickly.

City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, FL is where the Red Sox make there home during the spring. They began playing there in 1993 and will return for six weeks beginning February 16^th when pitchers and catchers report to camp. Position players will be arriving on February 20^th with the first full squad workout coming on February 22^nd. The Red Sox open their Grapefruit League schedule at home on February 28^th, when they host the American League Central champion Minnesota Twins at 7:05 p.m. ET. The ballpark is located at 2201 Edison Ave which is accessible from Cleveland Ave. It has a capacity of 7,290. The Red Sox sell out most home games but standing room tickets will be available on the morning of the game. To order tickets online visit www.redsox.com and visit their Spring Training Tickets page. You may also purchase tickets in person at the City of Palms Park box office or by phone at (617)482-4SOX. Ticket prices are as follows: home plate box - $44, dugout box row 1 - $40, dugout box row 2 - $36, box seats and right field deck - $24, reserved seats - $21, bleachers - $13, lawn - $12 and standing room (available the morning of the game) - $10.

For the first two weeks of camp the Red Sox will be training at the minor league complex which is two miles east also on Edison Ave. These workouts are open to the public and admission is free. The team usually takes the field at about 9:30 am and leaves at noon. Once the games begin the only workouts the public can watch are the pre-game batting practice sessions. If you want to try and get some autographs after the workouts there is a roped off area just outside the Red Sox clubhouse where fans are known to assemble. Several players will come out and sign autographs. After the first two weeks at the minor league complex the best way to get an autograph is during or just post batting practice.

When you're not watching baseball or seeking out autographs, take-out, television and a hotel room bed may be all that you desire. If not, Fort Myers offers a vast array of dining and entertainment mixed with a multitude of beaches and recreation. Choose anything from American cuisine a la Bennigan's to Yokohama Japanese Restaurant, from Biddle's Restaurant & Piano Bar to Wings and Ribs Restaurant. You will find a plethora of ethnic cuisine as well. Mexican, Italian, Thai, Korean and Chinese are all among the local favorites. Whether meat, seafood, ethnic or American, Fort Myers has a little something for everyone.

Once an empty stomach becomes a thing of the past you may want to work on your tan at Fort Myers Beach or on Sanibel Island. If night life is more your speed you might visit a jazz bar or see some other live music. There is also a large movie multiplex if you're a fan of the big screen. Even if Red Sox baseball is all you're interested in seeing, the other amenities Fort Myers boasts will make it a relaxing and eventful spring training experience.