Spring training: The ultimate baseball getaway
Plus: The news of the week — Charlotte Catholic principal resigns amid turmoil; Lovin' Life announces 2 new headliners; Belk orders HQ workers back to the office; Fort Bragg gets its old name back
Good morning! Today is Saturday, February 15, 2024. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger’s Weekend Edition.
—
Editor’s note: We won’t publish a newsletter Monday in honor of the Presidents’ Day holiday, but we’ll be back in your inbox on Wednesday.
Today’s Ledger is sponsored by Tryon Medical Partners. As an independent practice, the difference is personal. Leading with award-winning primary care at several locations across the Charlotte region, we build stronger relationships that lead to better health.
Craving a spring baseball getaway? Here are some tips for planning the perfect spring training trip to Florida or Arizona
This is the view from behind home plate at Goodyear Ballpark, a state-of-the-art stadium and player development complex shared by the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds in Goodyear, Ariz. (Jay Ahuja photo)
By Jay Ahuja
With the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl behind us, my mind turns to baseball.
Not just to the proverbial “Hot Stove League” of trades and free agent signings, but to the anticipation of heading south, escaping winter weather and enjoying a few spring training baseball games.
Over the years, I have attended exhibition games in each spring training league, the Grapefruit in Florida and the Cactus in Arizona. Both are fantastic getaways. The short flights to Florida are attractive, but Arizona has one distinct advantage in that nearly all the ballparks are a short drive from Phoenix.
There are 23 stadiums in all, with 15 teams playing in each state. Seven of the 23 stadiums are shared sites.
For either locale, here are a few ways to make your trip special:
Plan ahead
Tickets used to be cheap and plentiful, and you could wait until the day of the game to buy tickets at the box office. Not anymore. You'll want to go online beforehand. This year, for a Mets-Red Sox game at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Fla., the cheapest tickets are $27 for general admission seats on the hill in right field. Lower-level seats along the first base line are $37.
Consider attending two games in a single day if the schedule permits — sometimes, you can catch a 1 p.m. game at one park and a 6 p.m. game at another. These days, with teams sharing spring training stadiums and practice facilities, you can see two games at the same park.
Grapefruit and Cactus League ballparks have an intimate feel because they’re smaller, the players and coaches are more approachable and there are fewer fans in the stands and less-gnarly post-game traffic jams.
Mid-March is a great time to go, because the big-name stars are more likely to see significant playing time as it gets closer to opening day. Try to arrive early to see players warm up, go through fielding and fitness drills and take batting practice. This is often your best chance to score an autograph.
Favorite ballparks
I have not been to every spring training park, but my favorite in Florida is Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, where the Orioles play. It helps that they offer crab cakes and Maryland crab soup in concession stands. Sloan Park, where the Cubs train, is my favorite Arizona ballpark.
You really cannot go wrong at any of the parks, as most of them have been remodeled in recent years, and you’re bound to have a fun experience. Fans come south from far and wide to bask in the sunshine, watch games that don’t really matter and get a glimpse of up-and-coming players who may not be on big league rosters until September or even subsequent seasons.
Yankees’ Legends Field in Tampa, Red Sox JetBlue Park in Fort Myers and Cubs Sloan Park in Mesa are examples of newer spring training parks designed to have field dimensions identical to their big-league stadiums.
Last year, MLB launched Spring Breakout games that feature baseball’s top prospects. Those games will occur again in both Florida and Arizona and are scheduled for March 13-16.
Autographs and dinner
My wife, Karen, likes to bring along a new baseball and a blue Sharpie (she’s a Cubs fan) and get as many autographs as possible. I usually leave the autographs to her, as players seem to prefer signing for kids and women.
Bring a baseball glove if you hope to snag a foul ball. I’ve even had a ball tossed to me by former Cleveland first baseman Jim Thome as he exited the field. At that same game, Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller was signing baseballs and photographs. I could not pass that up. We encountered similar experiences in Arizona with Fergie Jenkins, Bill Buckner and Lee Smith.
Once you’ve secured your game tickets, book a hotel near the stadiums you want to visit, and perhaps even make dinner reservations. Some hotel concierges can be very helpful with this. One even let us know where players like to dine after games. (That seemed a bit over the top to us, so we chose to eat elsewhere.)
Enjoy yourself, but be forewarned: Between the hot dogs, the warm sunny days and the ice-cold beverages, trips to spring training baseball can become habit-forming.
➡️ Want to plan a trip? Your best source for spring training and exhibition games in both Florida and Arizona is https://www.mlb.com/spring-training. Click on any team logo to get started. Each team’s site is distinct and offers unique information. In addition to schedules and ballpark information, some pages provide useful hotel and transportation information.
Jay Ahuja has lived, worked and played in Charlotte since 1986. He has one wife, two stepsons and one dog. He’s had two sports travel guidebooks published and produced a documentary film, “Live From The Double Door Inn.” He serves on the Charlotte advisory Board of North Carolina Outward Bound School and recently retired from WDAV 89.9FM, the region’s classical public radio station.
⏰ Don’t delay! Monday is the final day to submit a nomination for The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Awards
Do you know someone in Mecklenburg County who:
Inspires you?
Makes their community better in some way?
Could be described as an unsung hero?
Is over age 40?
Then it’s time to dash off a nomination for The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Awards, presented by U.S. Bank!
Now in its sixth year, the 40 Over 40 Awards recognize unsung heroes who are making a difference in our community, and who are in their 40s and beyond. You’re welcome to submit as many nominations as you’d like.
Many thanks to our event sponsors: U.S. Bank; Ducie Stark, residential real estate broker with Dickens Mitchener Real Estate; By George Communications; and the Charlotte ToolBank.
This week in Charlotte: UNC Charlotte wins top-tier research designation; Atrium reports record-breaking operating revenue; Ledger digs into CLT’s safety records
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
Charlotte Catholic principal resigns: (Ledger) Charlotte Catholic High School Principal Lori Phillips resigned amid ongoing tensions over leadership, transparency and curriculum changes, with former principal Kurt Telford stepping in as Head of School. Phillips’ resignation took effect Friday.
UNC Charlotte earns R1 classification: (UNC Charlotte) UNC Charlotte has earned the prestigious R1 status from the Carnegie Classification, recognizing it as a top-tier research institution. UNC Charlotte joins UNC Chapel Hill, N.C. State, Duke and East Carolina in the classification.
Could CMS be split up? (News & Observer) North Carolina lawmakers are considering whether the state’s five largest school districts are too big — including Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools — potentially paving the way for breaking them up. A new bill proposes a study commission to examine whether large student populations cause problems and recommend solutions.
Politics
New bill proposes gambling tax deduction: (Ledger 🔒) A new bill in the N.C. legislature would allow taxpayers to deduct gambling losses, aligning state law with federal rules and preventing surprise tax bills for sports bettors.
Charlotte’s top prosecutor steps down: (WSOC) Dena J. King, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, announced her resignation effective this week.
Local news
Lovin’ Life announces 2 additions: (Lovin’ Life Instagram) Lovin’ Life Music Fest added two more artists to the lineup for its May event — rapper Pitbull and rock band Third Eye Blind.
Fort Bragg gets its former name back: U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum renaming Fort Liberty in North Carolina to Fort Bragg. The Army base was renamed Fort Liberty in 2023 to replace the namesake of a Confederate general in 2023. Now, it’s being renamed after a different Bragg: Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a World War II veteran who received the Silver Star and Purple Heart for the Battle of the Bulge. (Jeremy Markovich of N.C. Rabbit Hole took an in-depth look this week at the story behind Roland Bragg and the name change.)
Business
Belk mandates return to office: (Ledger) Charlotte-based retailer Belk is requiring corporate employees to return to the office three days a week, reversing its remote work policy nearly five years after the pandemic began.
Atrium Health’s revenue surges: (Ledger 🔒) Atrium Health reported a record $12.6B in net operating revenue for 2024, driven by increased patient volume and major capital investments, with plans to spend over $1B on new projects in 2025.
Manufacturer’s $2.7B deal: (Business NC) Charlotte-based industrial equipment manufacturer Columbus McKinnon is acquiring Texas-based Kito Crosby Limited from KKR in a $2.7B deal expected to close this year.
Sports
Hornets voice support for WNBA team: (WSOC) The Charlotte Hornets are backing a bid to bring a WNBA team back to the city, supporting an effort led by Erica Berman to revive the Charlotte Sting. The WNBA filed a trademark application for the Charlotte Sting on Feb. 4.
Backlash against Cam Newton: (CBS Sports) Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton’s recent comments calling the 2010 Panthers a “locker room of losers” sparked a backlash from former teammate Steve Smith, who felt disrespected by Newton’s suggestion that he was the only one who knew how to win.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Rift widens at Charlotte Catholic: Parents at Charlotte Catholic High are divided over leadership decisions, curriculum changes and transparency issues, with some withdrawing their children while others support the school’s stronger Catholic focus.
Wednesday (🔒)
Charlotte’s building spree cooled in 2024: New construction in Charlotte slowed significantly in 2024, with apartment, office and retail starts hitting multi-year lows due to high interest rates. While some signs of recovery are emerging, developers remain cautious about 2025.
Friday (🔒)
CLT’s safety record: Charlotte’s airport has occasional safety incidents — like wake turbulence, near-misses with drones and ground vehicle mishaps — but experts say its overall safety record remains solid given its high traffic.
Plus: Donors give $300,000 for CMS instruments after Ledger article; Aldersgate gets closer to decision on affiliation; Hawkers scraps plan for Ballantyne location; Nordstrom Rack headed to Matthews
Ways of Life (🔒)
A life packed with firsts and adventure: Thelmetia Argrett Bynum lived a trailblazing life as a chemist, educator, pilot and community leader. She passed away on Nov. 25 at age 83.
Reader mailbag: Ledger readers shared their thoughts on “New transit hurdle: Federal funds to be tied to high marriage rates” (Feb. 6), which described how the Trump administration wants to steer transit money to cities with high birth and marriage rates:
Charlotte FC’s Patrick Agyemang is flying high: Patrick Agyemang overcame early doubts and setbacks to go from a Division III player to scoring for the U.S. Men’s National Team and becoming Charlotte FC’s starting striker, with aspirations for a European career and the 2026 World Cup.
Need to sign up for this e-newsletter? We offer a free version, as well as paid memberships for full access to all 4 of our local newsletters:
The Charlotte Ledger is a locally owned media company that delivers smart and essential news. We strive for fairness and accuracy and will correct all known errors. The content reflects the independent editorial judgment of The Charlotte Ledger. Any advertising, paid marketing or sponsored content will be clearly labeled.
◼️ About The Ledger • Our Team • Website
◼️ Newsletters • Podcast • Newcomer Guide • A Better You email series
◼️ Subscribe • Sponsor • Events Board • Merch Store • Manage Your Account
◼️ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn
For a baseball lover the Spring training visit must include time spent at the outer fields. Watching the pitchers practice covering first base, minor leaguers learning the team-specific way of positioning, signaling and so on. Major league players arriving in their cars, listening to conversations among the people around you about all and sundry, the friendship of the seating area. The sound in the catcher mitt from the fastball of the young pitcher. Glorious.