Baseball spring training: The facts, from history to cheap seats

Spring training is when players shed the winter rust by limbering up on warm, sun-baked diamonds, sign autographs galore, and provide hope that this may be their team’s year. As preseason games between major-league teams begin on Saturday, here are a few facts to give you some background on spring ball.

Spring ballpark stats

Brian Blanco/REUTERS
The JetBlue Park at Fenway South, the Boston Red Sox's new Major League Baseball spring training facility and stadium, is seen during its opening for the first workout for Red Sox pitchers and catchers in Fort Myers, Florida, February 21.

Oldest: McKechnie Field, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates; opened 1923, renovated 1992.

Newest: JetBlue Field, home of the Boston Red Sox; opens this year with its own “Green Monster” outfield wall.

Smallest: Osceola Stadium in Kissimmee, Fla. (home of the Houston Astros). Capacity: 5,300.

Biggest: Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. (home of the White Sox and Dodgers). Capacity: 13,500.

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