by Jeff McIntyre

Created on: January 15, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Here is a "Top 10 Tips" guide to enjoying Major League Baseball spring training...

1. Plan now...The hotels, motels, B&B's and vacation homes book up early. You need to figure our which team(s) you want to track during training and set yourself up in a good centralized location whether it be in Arizona or Florida.

2. Be prepared.... Make sure you have plenty of baseballs, caps, photos, Sharpies, t-shirts etc. to get your favorite players' autographs.

3. Bring the family....There aren't too many vacations that can be more wholesome and fun than to travel around a warm-climate state, enjoying the sun, America's pasttime, fellow fans, and baseball food.

4. Rent a car....In Arizona, you can get to a variety games in an easy manner, but in Florida there is certainly some real estate separating the clubs.

5. Bring sun screen and an umbrella...In both states you will get completely fried in the hot spring sun, and in Florida in particular, there is a pattern of afternoon rain showers that will keep you nice and moist as well.

6. Eat baseball food....Now I know it's not the healthiest or least expensive fare, but nothing goes better with a Texas league single than a hot dog and cheese fries.

7. Educate yourself....Check www.mlb.com, buy some magazines like Baseball weekly, buy the spring training programs, but most importantly try to learn a little about the game, the players and the team make-up for the upcoming season. It will make it all the more enjoyable and you might even sound smart to that beer-bellied guy sitting in the bleachers next to you.

8. Bring a blanket.... There has been occassions where the night games, especially, have dropped to bone chilling temperatures

9. See the local sites....Each of the spring training towns have their own little pieces of history and nostalgia, and you want to make sure the whole family has fun.

10. Be a good sport and have fun....Remember, spring training is a time for relaxation, seeing new faces and old ones, getting up close and personal with the players, and creating lasting memories for your family. Don't be the one fan that ruins the experiences of others by putting on a Budweiser fueled display.

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