Attending a Phillies Game at BayCare Ballpark

From a March 21, 2024 visit to the stadium.

Phillies fans are flocking to BayCare Ballpark in record numbers. Why not? It’s hard to beat a March afternoon in the sun at BayCare Ballpark, one of the most inviting venues in the Florida Grapefruit League.

Before settling in for the action at the Baycare Ballpark, which was built in 2004, fans walk up a flight of stairs to enter BayCare Ballpark on the third base side of the field. They look straight down at the outfield grass and the rightfield grass berm. To their left is a concourse filled with plenty of activity, including group party areas, the team store, a children’s play area, a variety of food and beverage options and one of the Florida Grapefruit Leagues favorite spots, the Frenchy’s Tiki Bar.

To their right is a concourse heading behind home plate and down the first base line.  There’s a big difference in maneuvering the concourse more than an hour before the game and during the game. Even though it’s a wide concourse, put more than 9,500 baseball fans in the park and it’s like the slow moving afternoon traffic on Highway 19 out past the right field fence.

The Baycare Ballpark menu features food from the Philadelphia area, including Delco’s Cheesesteaks, Manco and Manco Pizza as well as local vendors like Abe’s Place and Pete and Shorty’s. There’s even a stand for Moe’s Burritos.

If you’re thirsty, it seems like there’s a beer stand every 20 feet or so. If you go thirsty or hungry at a Philadelphia Phillies spring training game, it’s your own fault. If Phillies fans want to get creative in their beer drinking efforts, there’s a “beer bat,” option available.  Yes, a mug shaped like a baseball bat that’s roughly 18 inches tall.

For those looking for a quick stop, there’s an Express Beverage kiosk, where fans can grab a drink from cooler, like in a convenience store, and head straight for the checkout.

Baycare Ballpark was the first Florida Spring Training stadium to offer the full 360 degree walk around the park.  Since its opening in 2004, many Florida parks have followed Clearwater’s lead.  The outfield space is quite busy beside the grass berm that holds quite a few sunbathers for spring training. Benches and tables are situated between the sidewalk and the rear fence of the stadium.

For those seated out in the sun, there are free sunscreen stations, located in the bathrooms and other locations around the stadium.

Besides the large indoor team store, there are kiosks and a tent with plenty of merchandise to choose from. The Phillies offer not only offer their classic merchandise, but plenty of Spring Training merchandise featuring Clearwater.

Fans proudly display their purchases as well and the Phillies offer merchandise from their recent successes in the postseason.

The best outfit seen was a woman at the Phillies game wearing white overalls with red pinstripes and the cursive Phillies P just under the overall clips.

While the Phillies have been playing in the BayCare Ballpark location now for over 20 years, they’ve been coming to Clearwater for spring training for 78 years. Their following from the northeast is very visible and they enjoy the warm weather and beaches Clearwater offers.

Phillies Spring Training Ticket Prices & Information

2024 Philadelphia Phillies Single Game Tickets are now on sale.

Tickets range in price between $21 and $38.

Call (727) GO-PHILS (467-4457) or visit  www.mlb.com/phillies/tickets/spring-training.

Directions to BayCare Ballpark

Find in Google Maps

From US 19: Turn west on Drew Street. Turn right on Old Coachman Road, the ballpark is ahead on your right.

Traffic and Road Construction Information from the Florida Department of Transportation
Learn about important traffic and roadway conditions by visiting www.FL511.com. This service reports travel times, road construction, lane closures and more on major Florida roadways.

Philadelphia Phillies Florida Spring Training History

1915-18: St. Petersburg (Sunshine Park)
1921: Gainesville
1922-24: Leesburg
1925-27: Bradenton
1928-37: Winter Haven (Denison Ball Park)
1940-42: Miami Beach
1946: Miami Beach
1947-2003: Clearwater (Jack Russell Stadium)
2004-present: Clearwater (BayCare Ballpark)

Phillies Spring Training Attendance

(2010-20)