We interrupt your regularly scheduled Tampa Bay Rays stadium update for this important message:<\/p>\n
Play ball!<\/p>\n
Spring training is upon us, which means daily Major League Baseball action spread around the Tampa Bay region, across Florida and Arizona, and this season, even Tokyo.<\/p>\n
Games in Japan, as well as Miami, Houston and San Juan, Puerto Rico, are part of the World Baseball Classic, in which MLB stars will represent their home countries.<\/p>\n
As usual, the\u00a0Rays\u00a0<\/a>will set up shop in Port Charlotte. Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 12, with the remaining players due five days later, with the spring opener scheduled for Feb. 21.<\/p>\n The same week, camps open for Florida\u2019s other MLB teams in what is known as the Grapefruit League. That includes six teams that train in the Tampa Bay area:<\/p>\n New York Yankees, Steinbrenner Field, Tampa Another 15 teams will prep for the season in Arizona\u2019s Citrus League.<\/p>\n So what\u2019s new? All MLB teams will play exhibitions March 3-4 against national teams prepping for the World Baseball Classic, which opens March 6. In the Tampa area. That includes:<\/p>\n Colombia vs. Pirates at Bradenton, March 3, 1:05 p.m. Another scheduling twist involves the Spring Breakout, a series of exhibitions set for March 19-22 that will involve only the top prospects from each team.\u00a0Local games<\/a>\u00a0will involve the Pirates, Orioles, Phillies and Yankees.<\/p>\n The Rays\u2019 Fan Fest<\/a> this year is Feb. 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. While repairs continue inside Tropicana Field, the event will take place outside along 16th Street South. Click here<\/a>\u00a0for information.<\/p>\n It all builds up to the season opener the night of March 26, with the Yankees at the San Francisco Giants. The traditional Opening Dry begins the following afternoon with 14 games.<\/p>\n
\nPhiladelphia Phillies, BayCare Ballpark, Clearwater
\nToronto Blue Jays, TD Ballpark, Dunedin
\nPittsburgh Pirates, LECOM Park, Bradenton
\nBaltimore Orioles, Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota
\nDetroit Tigers, Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland<\/p>\n
\nNetherlands vs. Orioles at Sarasota, March 3, 1:05 p.m.
\nPanama vs. Yankees at Tampa, March 3, 1:05 p.m.
\nCanada vs. Blue Jays Dunedin, March 3, 1:07 p.m.
\nCanada vs. Phillies at Clearwater, March 4, 1:05 p.m.
\nColombia vs. Braves at North Port, March 4, 1:05 p.m.
\nNetherlands vs Rays at Port Charlotte, March 4, 1:05 p.m.<\/p>\n