If you’re Canadian and weren’t a fan of the Blue Jays last year, you probably are now. Being the only Canadian baseball team in the Major Leagues, they represent their hometown of Toronto along with the entire country – no pressure boys!
Over the years they’ve brought my family together from watching unfortunate strikeouts to fantastic bat-flipping worthy home runs. This year, the team had me thinking I should combine my travels with a flight to Dunedin, Florida and watch the Blue Jays during Spring Training. Gorgeous sunny weather, white sandy beaches, deep-fried alligator tail along with some up close and personal Major League practice games – my dream trip, so why not?
Blue Jays’ spring training
The Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, in the small town of Dunedin, is not your average sports stadium. You won’t find yourself stuck in a nosebleed section so far from the field it’s hard to make out who’s hitting. Instead, it feels like you’ve spent a pretty penny to sit so close you can watch Jose Bautista do the legendary double knot on his shoelaces. Also, considering the cost of sitting so close to Russell Martin’s beard is less than half the price of an MLB baseball cap, I’d say it’s well worth it and more. Oh, and be sure to stop by Bauser’s full liquor bar with your ticket stub after the game to receive 2 for 1 cold beers!
If you feel like venturing away from Dunedin, I would suggest crossing the bridge to Clearwater Beach — be sure to peek over the edge once in awhile, you never know when you’ll catch sight of dolphins playing in the waves! Clearwater is famous for their white sandy beaches, so grab your towel and set up camp for a day of relaxation. When it’s time to indulge in some of Florida’s culinary delights, be sure to hit the boardwalk for freshly shucked gulf oysters and Bloody Marys’. You also owe it to yourself to try the Crabby’s Alligator Bites, made of bite-size gator tails with hot cherry peppers, flash fried with Crabby’s stone sauce….just like mom used to make.
Since Dunedin is home to the Blue Jays Spring Training grounds, almost everywhere you look you’ll see the blue and white jerseys, hats, T-shirts and street posters. It feels like a home away from home. Every once in awhile you’ll receive the respectful nod from a fellow Canadian who made the long journey to support their team while you’re wearing matching Blue Jays gear. Thanks to Spring Training we now have a new family tradition on our hands.
If I can share some advice with you, bring 30 proof sunscreen and a hat. Don’t end up burnt to a crisp like me, heed my warnings! Also just as essential is an appetite for mouth-watering seafood and a cold brew, it’s important to make sure you know the 7th inning stretch routine because you never know when the cameraman will zoom in on your face for your live television debut.
Featured Image from Sportsnet
