Champion Stadium: Spring training’s family attraction
Jack Williams
While most ballparks in the Grapefruit league work to offer a family friendly atmosphere, there’s something special about the Atlanta Braves spring training home in Champion Stadium. Located in ESPN’s Wide World of Sports complex, the park is across the street from Walt Disney World.
On the green hills in the outfield, families from near and far take some time away from the rides and relax to cheer on some of the best baseball players in the world.
On the green hills in the outfield, families from near and far take some time away from the rides and relax to cheer on some of the best baseball players in the world.
On a grassy patch just beyond the third base dugout, fans young and old picnic and relax while enjoying the game. It’s a popular spot from families at the park. Kids get to run around, with their mouse ears cutting through the wind, while mom and dad can sit and relax for $20 a ticket.
The Heffner family, of St. Clair Shores Michigan, has made it to Spring Training for a few years now, but this year Ashley and Jake are packing for three. Their daughter, Evalyn, is making her first trip to the Florida vacation destination.
“Yesterday, we went to Magic Kingdom and it was a little rainy, but it was fun,” Ashley said. “It’s really nice to come down here and see the Tigers play in the warmth.”
“Yesterday, we went to Magic Kingdom and it was a little rainy, but it was fun,” Ashley said. “It’s really nice to come down here and see the Tigers play in the warmth.”
“Even though you’re a Tigers fan, you can still play with us.”
That’s what a Braves fan said to Evalyn Heffner after she chased after a football thrown to her. Champion Stadium has been the spring training home to the Braves for 21 years and has allowed Braves fans not to travel to far from Atlanta at a seven-hour drive or an hour and a half flight.
After this season, the Braves will be moving to CoolToday Park just outside of Sarasota in North Port, Florida. The Braves have also moved their minor league team, the Gulf Coast League Braves, down to North Port this season.
That’s what a Braves fan said to Evalyn Heffner after she chased after a football thrown to her. Champion Stadium has been the spring training home to the Braves for 21 years and has allowed Braves fans not to travel to far from Atlanta at a seven-hour drive or an hour and a half flight.
After this season, the Braves will be moving to CoolToday Park just outside of Sarasota in North Port, Florida. The Braves have also moved their minor league team, the Gulf Coast League Braves, down to North Port this season.
Not all fans travel far to see a spring training game. Brennan Henderson and his father Jeremy made the hour and half drive from New Smyrna Beach to watch their Tigers trek down from Michigan. Jeremy, while living in Marlins and Rays country, is a Tigers fans after spending 13 years in Detroit.
While the park may be closing, Jeremy believes there are a lot of aspects that make this venue so special.
“There’s definitely a family aspect here that most places don’t have,” Jeremy said. “It’s been a great day and it’s so nice that this park is so close.”
While the park may be closing, Jeremy believes there are a lot of aspects that make this venue so special.
“There’s definitely a family aspect here that most places don’t have,” Jeremy said. “It’s been a great day and it’s so nice that this park is so close.”
While Rico Citerella may not be in the bullpen, he is ready to take the mound for his beloved Braves. Rico, his parents Tina and Tony, and his two sisters Helena and Jose, made the short trip just across town from Longwood to catch the game.
Even though there are plenty of seats in the stadium, the Citerella’s prefer their seats out on the berm.
“It’s casual and it’s easier with kids,” Tina said. “It allows the kids to run around and play during the game.”
Living in the area and having Disney World so close, the Citereall’s said the aspect of going to the park is different than if you’re coming as a tourist. According to the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and AECOM, the park brings in around 53,000 visitors per-day.
“We just came out for the game today,” Tony said. “The park is only 30 minutes away so we don’t really come to the park. Intentionally so.”
Even though there are plenty of seats in the stadium, the Citerella’s prefer their seats out on the berm.
“It’s casual and it’s easier with kids,” Tina said. “It allows the kids to run around and play during the game.”
Living in the area and having Disney World so close, the Citereall’s said the aspect of going to the park is different than if you’re coming as a tourist. According to the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and AECOM, the park brings in around 53,000 visitors per-day.
“We just came out for the game today,” Tony said. “The park is only 30 minutes away so we don’t really come to the park. Intentionally so.”
A young Blue Jays fans dances during the ninth inning as the Braves beat the Tigers, 8-2. Fans from all over the Grapefruit league will make their way out to Orlando for Disney and a game.
The Blue Jays have spent years in Dunedin, two hours west of Champion Field, but are one of many fan bases that have hiked out to central Florida during their time in the south. Caps and jerseys ranging from Cubs to Yankees could be seen all over the park.
The Braves have been posting strong attendance numbers in spring training averaging around 4,625 per game. The number works well with Disney’s attendance as the park welcomes 51,500,000 to its parks yearly according to TEA and AECOM.
The Blue Jays have spent years in Dunedin, two hours west of Champion Field, but are one of many fan bases that have hiked out to central Florida during their time in the south. Caps and jerseys ranging from Cubs to Yankees could be seen all over the park.
The Braves have been posting strong attendance numbers in spring training averaging around 4,625 per game. The number works well with Disney’s attendance as the park welcomes 51,500,000 to its parks yearly according to TEA and AECOM.
Jose, the youngest of the Citerella trio, enjoys a ballpark snack as her siblings run around her. The combination of baseball and the most magical place on the planet is what makes this park special to the fans. These are the moments they will never forget.
“It’s just lovely to be out here,” Tony said. “I took out day off of work to come to the game and there’s been no problems at all.”
“It’s just lovely to be out here,” Tony said. “I took out day off of work to come to the game and there’s been no problems at all.”
