Our guide to Orioles’ spring training in Sarasota

Next month marks the 15^th anniversary of the Orioles’ move to Sarasota for spring training. From 1996-2009, the Orioles trained in dilapidated Fort Lauderdale Stadium, and while it was a great place to vacation, baseball wasn’t a big deal to the citizens of Fort Lauderdale.

It is a big deal in Sarasota, where signs supporting the Orioles are everywhere, and the 15 years there have coincided with an economic boom to the area. There’s a huge shopping mall, University Town Center to serve the rapidly growing population, and areas not visited in 2010 have plenty of traffic now.

Even though a majority of Oriole fans haven’t visited Sarasota, more and more do each year. If you’re contemplating a trip, here’s my annual guide to spring training:

When should I go?

Pitchers and catchers report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in about a month, and the first Grapefruit League game is on February 22^nd against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Fans are invited to watch early spring training workouts on the back fields, but those end when games begin.

The Orioles have 15 home games from February 22^nd-March 21^st. There are five night games: March 6^th, 14^th, 18^th, 20^th and 21^st. Those begin at 6:05. Other games begin at 1:05.

The Orioles also will host Spring Breakout on March 15^th at 6:05, when their prospects play the New York Yankees’.

Early spring training games feature short appearances by the regulars and one- or two-inning starts by the pitchers, but if you’re interested in getting to know prospects, they’ll be playing later in the game.

Ed Smith Stadium is a terrific place to watch a game. It seats 8,500 and many games sell out.

What do I need to know about the ballpark?

Ed Smith Stadium is on 12^th Street and Tuttle Avenue. It’s in a residential neighborhood, and there are 1,800 parking spots.

Bags are prohibited, but non-alcoholic beverages in plastic bottles are allowed. Clutch purses no larger than 5-by-7 inches are permitted.

Outside food is allowed in a clear bag, no larger than one gallon.

It’s a cashless stadium. Food, parking and tickets must be paid for with a card.

How do I get to Sarasota, and where should I stay?

Southwest has four daily non-stops between BWI and Sarasota International (SRQ). The airport is about 15 minutes from Ed Smith Stadium and downtown Sarasota.

There are many hotels in Sarasota, and downtown is a great place to stay with its many restaurants and proximity to the ballpark. Some people like to stay near Lido Beach or Siesta Key.

There are many Airbnb’s in Sarasota, and lots of fans find that preferable.

Should I see road games?

One of the advantages of Sarasota is its location. Each Grapefruit League opponent is within a 90-minute drive.

The Pirates train in Bradenton, which is 20 minutes away. Other training camps close by are Atlanta (North Port), Tampa Bay (Port Charlotte), and a favorite of mine, Clearwater, where the Philadelphia Phillies train.

Boston and Minnesota train in Fort Myers. Detroit is in Lakeland, the Yankees are in Tampa, and Toronto trains in Dunedin.

If you’re going to see the Orioles play on the road, you might not see many regulars on the trip. Especially early in the spring, regulars will play at home and several will stay back to work out in Sarasota while the team travels.

What else is there to do in Sarasota?

The Orioles get two days off this spring, March 4^th and 19^th, so there’s not much time for me to explore. I have been to the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium on Longboat Key, the Ringling Museum of Art and Circus Museum, and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

I’m not a beach aficionado, but Lido Beach and Siesta Key are lovely. Others also have discovered Anna Maria Island, which is north of Longboat Key.

Shoppers enjoy St. Armands Circle, which is near Lido Beach, which also has some excellent restaurants.

One neighbor who’s visiting Sarasota for a second time tells me she’s going to the ballet and opera during her spring training trip. The arts district, just north of downtown, is a great area.

Where should I eat?

Longtime readers know that I enjoy eating out, and I can guarantee that after this is posted, I’ll receive many suggestions from locals and visitors.

The eating scene in Sarasota has exploded, and each year there are new restaurants, far too many for me to try. Each year, I attempt to get to a couple of new establishments as well as some old friends.

My longtime favorite is Dry Dock Waterfront Grill on Longboat Key. I discovered it in 2010 and have eaten there every year since. It’s popular, so reservations are a must.

My other favorites are Owens Fish Camp and Duval’s. Owens is a few blocks from downtown and doesn’t accept reservations. A line forms just before it begins serving at 4.

Duval’s is one of countless fine restaurants along Main Street in downtown. One of my friends believes he could eat happily at a different restaurant along Main Street each night during spring training, and he’s not wrong.

I’m eager to try 1592 Wood Fired Kitchen & Cocktails, La Mucca Ballerina and The Fat Rabbit, also close to each other on Main.

At St. Armands Circle, I visit Columbia annually for its great 1905 salad. I also like Venezia for Italian food and Speaks Clam Bar.

My Siesta Key favorites include the Siesta Key Oyster Bar, the Sun Garden Café and the Island Key and Island House Tap & Grill, which might have the best burgers in the area.

For families, there’s Yoders for fried chicken, and Duffy’s Sports Grill, which has dozens of TVs. I also like Patricks on Main Street, which also has excellent burgers.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.