Games and More at St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training

"In the Dugout at Roger Dean" photo by Mary Montague Sikes

"This is the place to be," I was told by a small group of friendly fans standing at the side of the St. Louis Cardinals' dugout in Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Florida.

In the past, I've gone down to the front railing by the Cardinals bullpen. That's where players sometimes stop to autograph balls and other items. I'd never thought about going to the bullpen until that day when we had seats right behind it. But, the fans were right. During the time waiting there, I got five autographs on my baseball, including Matt Adams, Kolten Wong, and Mark Ellis.

"Al and Dan at Roger Dean Stadium" photo by MM Sikes

Dan McLaughlin and Al Hrabosky went through the gate next to the bullpen to tape their pre-game remarks. I feel like Dan and Al are old friends because we watch their MLB broadcasts on Fox Sports Midwest by satellite TV throughout the season. The next day, when I stood at the same location, I got to momentarily chat with both of them.

My second day by the bullpen was interesting, but I failed to get any autographs. The uncle of Matt Carpenter edged his way to the front, next to the railing, promising to summon his nephew. Carpenter did come over, hugged his uncle and signed his ball and two others. Yadier Molina stopped to sign but left just as he reached me to go stand with teammates for the singing of the National Anthem. Peter Bourjos proved wrong the fan who claimed he never signed by stopping and autographing baseballs and other items for several minutes.

Although it's fun to get autographs, I really enjoy watching closeup the reactions of fans and players alike. It's interesting to see how players handle themselves in this situation. Most are extremely polite. I loved watching Adam Wainwright who accepted a couple of balls tossed to him in the dugout along with pens, signed them, and tossed them back.

Wainwright's smile says it all. He loves playing baseball, and he loves being a St. Louis Cardinal.

And I love being next to the bullpen where story ideas might evolve for the writer in me and paintings might be inspired by the photographs I take.

Baseball Spring Training - a Wonderful Time of the Year

Cardinal coaches watch first practice game at Jupiter FL

Allen Craig and Matt Holliday at Spring Training

"Don't get hurt," I heard St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Mattheny call out. He was concerned when pitcher Jason Motte and catcher Yadi Molina both raced on a collision course to retrieve a bat during a practice game between players on the team.

This was all fun to watch standing close enough to touch the coaches and players who sat on a bench or leaned against the wire link fence. Spring training has to be one of the most exciting times of the year. Fans get to interact with players, and everyone is excited about the possibilities for the season to come.

The father of Jordan Swagerty was in the practice field stands along with a friend. His son, a right-handed pitcher, is a non-roster invitee who has lost two years of play because of Tommy John surgery. Jordan had great promise and is yet another excellent prospect in the Cardinals farm system. His father glows with excitement at the potential for his son.

There are fences on the practice fields that weren't there a few years ago, a fan points out. When Mark McGwire joined the team as a player, the fences were erected for crowd control, she explains.

So many stars to watch. Is there a Hall of Famer among them?

I marvel at all the possibilities, at all the young talent that fills the warm, grassy Florida practice fields. As a writer, I think of the many stories that abound there. Only my imagination limits the potential for writing fact or fiction about baseball.

Is there a book hidden somewhere?

Perhaps there is.

I love spring training.

Travel, Florida, and Embassy Suites

We love to travel to Palm Beach, Florida each year for St. Louis Cardinals spring training in their beautiful Jupiter facility. Over the past several years, while trying out different hotel facilities, we discovered the Palm Beach Gardens Embassy Suites.

Bach and Beethoven, the resident swans, add a peaceful ambiance to the lobby. While we were there, a wedding took place in front of the bridge that is part of the swan sanctuary. Last year, the manager explained to us that this is the nation's number one Embassy Suites property.

We look forward to breakfast that is included each day. Eggs are cooked to order and served with a variety of breakfast meats. Almost anything you could want is on the breakfast buffet, and I imagine if it is not, they will try to get it for you.

An added bonus, each evening at the manager's reception, you may run into one of the baseball players staying at the hotel. If not, there are plenty of other enthusiastic fans to talk with you.

If I were writing another Hotels to Remember , I would definitely consider including this property in my book. It's a place I like to visit again and again.

Orchids in the lobby - MM Sikes