Spring is the perfect time to experience a Central Florida vacation.

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.