It is renewal. It is rebirth.
Every single time that I make my way down to Florida to cover spring training, I am reminded that winter is almost in the rear view mirror. The feeling that spring has arrived just a tad earlier thanks to the warmer climes in FLA.
Ed Smith Stadium (ESS) has been my base for the last few years. It is the spring training home of the Baltimore Orioles and it is a facility that provides a little bit of everything for the average baseball fan.
After the Cincinnati Reds left for greener pastures after 2009, Baltimore seized the opportunity to make ESS it’s spring base. With a few fresh $$$ added to the renovations, ESS has a modern 21st century feel with some of the creature comforts of the old baseball barns.
For starters, there is not a bad vantage point in the 8,500 seat house. It’s Florida, it’s sunny and there’s no roof; what more could you ask for? Well, beyond left field is my favorite zone where baseball fans can take in the game in a very relaxed chill zone which has real chairs and tables to set your drink-of-choice down. There’s also enough room for the kids to scramble around to catch dingers before they bounce into the parking lot.
The Orioles have done a nice job with the ESS to give it a mom-and-pop feel, but still give enough data for the hardcore analytics crew. The scoreboard is pretty awesome for a spring training facility and the fans can truly get up close and friendly with Adam Jones et al.
Beer is flowing. Hot dogs and pretzels are everywhere. Fans are smiling. Baseball is being played. What more do you want?
My plan is to tour the Gulf side up and down to check-in at all the other facilities to see the comparables. It’s a tough gig, but somebody has to do it.
5 Parks in 4 Days: baseball musings, odds & ends 