Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training Guide

Mar 23, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) signs autographs for fans before the game against the New York Mets at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) signs autographs for fans before the game against the New York Mets at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

If you’re making the trek to the “Sunshine State” for some Grapefruit League action, hopefully, this guide will assist you in your endeavors.

Florida Exchange Stadium

373 Douglas Avenue

Dunedin, Florida 34698

Seating Capacity- 5,509

The Blue Jays minor league complex (Bobby Mattick  Training Center) is located at the Cecil P. Englebert Recreation Complex- 1700 Solon Ave. approximately 3.5 miles from the Florida Exchange Stadium. There are five diamonds at this location with all but one open to the public. Full team workouts are housed here until the Grapefruit season commences. Hat tip to Robert Aitken.

Important Dates

On February 15th, 2017 pitchers and catchers officially report to the Toronto Blue Jays spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida to kick off the 2017 season. The first full squad workout will commence the following Saturday on the 18th of February.

The Jays first taste of action is scheduled for Saturday, February 25th when they travel to Kissimmee, Florida to take one the Atlanta Braves. For ticket information click here:

Home Games

February 26th- Philadelphia Phillies (Split-Squad)

February 27th- Pittsburgh Pirates

March 01st- Detroit Tigers

March 02nd- Philadelphia Phillies

March 03rd- New York Yankees

March 05th- Tampa Bay Rays

March 07th- Team Canada (WBC)

March 11th- Philadelphia Phillies

March 13th Boston Red Sox

March 16th- New York Yankees

March 18th- Tampa Bay Rays

March 20th- Minnesota Twins

March 22nd- Detroit Tigers

March 24th- Boston Red Sox

March 25th- Team Canada Juniors- Split Squad

March 26th- Baltimore Orioles- Split Squad

March 27th- Philadelphia Phillies

March 29th- New York Yankees

March 31st- Pittsburgh Pirates (Olympic Stadium- Montreal)

April 01st- Pittsburgh Pirates (Olympic Stadium- Montreal)

For the full spring training schedule click here.

Hotel Information

There are numerous hotels within a short distance of the spring training facility in Dunedin and Clearwater:

The Fenway Hotel- 0.5 miles
Best Western Plus Yacht Harbor Inn- 1 mile
Meranova Guest Inn- 1mile
Beso Del Sol Resort- 1.5 miles
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach- 6 miles
Clarion Clearwater- 7 miles
Innisbrook Resort Golf Club- 10 miles

Directions to Florida Auto Exchange Stadium

These directions were taken directly from the Dunedin Blue Jays website.

Directions to the stadium from Tampa (about 26 miles, 42 km):
Take State Road 60 across Tampa Bay then turn right on McMullen Booth Road. Go to Sunset Point Road and turn left. Cross U.S. 19. When you get to Douglas Avenue, turn right. Parking is at the second stoplight.

Directions to the stadium from Sarasota (about 65 miles):
Take I-75 North toward Tampa for approximately 17 miles. Take Exit #228/St. Petersburg onto I-275 North (Portions Toll) for 29.5 miles. Take Exit #30/Largo/Roosevelt Blvd onto Roosevelt Blvd. North (SR-686 W) toward Largo/Clearwater for 1.9 miles. Bear Left to follow SR-686 West for 2.4 Miles. Bear Right to take ramp onto 49th Street North (CR-611 North)for 0.9 miles. Continue on Bayside Bridge (CR-611 N) for 2.4 miles. Take ramp toward Clearwater/SR-60/Tampa for 0.3 miles. Turn Left on Gulf to Bay Blvd. for 3.3 miles. Turn Right on Keene Rd. (CR-1). Take Left on Union Street. Turn Right on Douglas Ave.

Directions to the stadium from Orlando(about 109 miles, 175 km):
I-4 west to I-275 South. I-275 South to Tampa Airport/State Road 60 Exit. State Road 60 Across Courtney Campbell Causeway to Clearwater. State Road 60 to Keene Rd (CR-1). Right (north) on Keene to Union Street. Left on Union Street to Douglas. Right (north) on Douglas Ave. – the stadium will be on right.

Directions to the stadium from New Port Richey (about 20 miles, 32 km):
Alternate 19 south to Main Street Dunedin. Left (east) on Main Street to next light (Douglas Ave.). Right (south) on Douglas Avenue for 1/2 mile – stadium will be on left.

Next: Toronto Blue Jays 2017 top prospects: #1 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

World Baseball Classic Tournament 2017

The World Baseball Classic tourney is slated for March 06th and will run until March 22nd. There will be many players absent from spring training due to the tournament. Blue Jays committed to participating in the Classic are Russell Martin, Marcus Stroman, Jose Bautista and Roberto Osuna.

Autographs

Spring Training is a great time to get up close and personal to the players, many of them make themselves available to fans for autographs and photographs. Most days the Blue Jays will work out in the morning before game days, these workouts are free and a great way to get close to the players. So get to the park early and often.

If you can position yourself near the right-field fence, this is where the Blue Jays players enter and exit from the clubhouse.- Hat tip to Johan De Graaf for that tip.

If you have any other tips or tricks of the trade, let us know in the comments. Hope you enjoyed the guide and see you in Florida.

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