Rays/MLB

No way, nothing beats spring training in FLA

By BRIAN SUMERS
Published March 26, 2006

A note to my bosses: I won't be working Monday.

If you need me, you will find me lounging beyond the outfield grass at Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater, spring home of the Philadelphia Phillies.

I'll be drinking a beer, perhaps eating a pretzel, partaking in a Florida rite of spring.

And assuming I don't get too burned, it'll be fun.

You don't go to spring training games to worry about wins and losses.

You go to put on some sun screen, relax and watch a beautiful game.

For one month, Florida is the most glorious place in the country, with 18 major-league teams playing nearly every afternoon or night.

One day you can watch the New York Yankees' Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez at Legends Field in Tampa. The next day you can see Curt Schilling pitching for the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers.

Sure beats watching Casey Fossum pitch in a hermetically sealed dome, doesn't it?

I have tickets to the Devil Rays' opening day, and I'll go because I love baseball.

But it won't compare to spring training.

[Last modified March 26, 2006, 00:26:15]