Baseball fan Joe Rada writes home to a buddy who didn't join him on a diamond-hopping pilgrimage to the preseason training fields of Florida's Grapefruit League.

Dear Phil,

Having a great time. Still can't believe you backed out after we planned this spring training trip for so long. A guy can hardly hit a pop fly in Central and South Florida without it landing on one of the fields where 20 Major League Baseball teams play more than 300 practice games for a month before the season starts in April. Ticket prices are like those in the minors, the parks are small with no seats far from the action, and all the parks are pretty close. You should be here, man. I mean, is having a new baby an excuse? Will write you from the bleachers.

Your pal, Joe

Dear Phil,

We launched our baseball pilgrimage with a Braves-Yankees exhibition game at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, near Orlando. Incredible place-- relatively new, seats for 7,500, plenty of grass for spreading blankets overlooking the outfield. We got primo spots for just $15.50 each and big pork barbecue sandwiches for $5.50. Saw Bernie Williams smack a double to left for the Bronx Bombers, and Walt Weiss put the Braves ahead to stay with his two-RBI triple in the second inning. Got three Braves' autographs near the home dugout without fighting a crowd. My son is having the time of his life. Can you believe he's seeing this caliber of play at age 7? You and I must've been 30 before we saw anything like a Braves-Yankees matchup. Weather here's great. Did it snow again back home last night?

Your pal, Joe

Dear Phil,

Greetings from the end of a whirlwind day. This morning we watched the Tampa Bay Devil Rays take batting practice at old Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg. Then we hurried about 25 miles north to Dunedin to see the Toronto Blue Jays host the Kansas City Royals for an afternoon game at Grant Field. By evening we were at Legends Field in Tampa for a Yankees-Twins game. Scott Brosius dinged a homer for the home-team Yanks, but the Twins won. Regis Philbin threw the game's ceremonial first pitch as I ate my year's ceremonial first Hebrew National Hotdog. Jake is learning to keep a scorecard, and he loved the postgame fireworks. Is that new baby letting you get any sleep?

Your pal, Joe

Dear Phil,

Been too busy to write the last couple of days. We've been to the spring homes of the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, the Cleveland Indians in Winter Haven, the Kansas City Royals in Davenport, the Houston Astros in Kissimmee, and just today the Los Angeles Dodgers in Vero Beach and the Florida Marlins in Melbourne. The Marlins hosted the Braves at Space Coast Stadium-just $5 for general admission seats! A stiff sea breeze blowing in from right field pushed a bunch of foul balls our way, but we didn't catch any. Chipper Jones scooped up grounders at third base like a vacuum as usual, and John Rocker made his patented bolt in from the bullpen (receiving equal parts cheers and boos) to close the game with his trademark fastballs. Next year it's no excuses, buddy. You just gotta come with us.

Your pal, Joe

For a schedule of preseason matchups in Florida's Grapefruit League, including stadium addresses and ticket information, request a free 2001 Spring Training Guide from the Florida Sports Foundation, 2930 Kerry Forest Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32308; (850) 488-8347 or www.flasports.com.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Mar 2001
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