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2010 First Practice Dates
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February 20

Position Players:
February 23

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Champion Stadium


Spring Training home of the Braves since 1998

Ballpark address:
700 South Victory Way
Lake Buena Vista, FL   34747

Opened: 1997
Capacity: 9,500

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Champion Stadium

Location
America's team plays in America's favorite playground, Walt Disney World, and Champion Stadium is a part of the famed resort's Wide World of Sports Complex. The stadium resides in Lake Buena Vista, although its address is often listed as Kissimmee. Lake Buena Vista is a city controlled by The Walt Disney Company and whose only permanent residents are a handful of Disney employees, hence its official population of just 16 people in the 2000 census. The entire land area of the "city" is less than 5 square miles.

Directions

  • From I-4: Take the Osceola Parkway West exit (# 65) and turn left at the first stoplight onto Victory Way. Proceed to the stadium.
  • From the Florida Turnpike: Take the Osceola Parkway West exit (# 249), travel about 10 miles and turn left onto Victory Way. The stadium is ahead on the right.

    Parking
    A small paved lot behind the left field wall is for early arrivals and the handicapped. There's a large grass field behind the paved lot for everyone else. All general parking is free, making this the only Grapefruit League ballpark that doesn't charge for parking.
     Cost: Free


    Stadium Information
    With its distinctive Spanish Mission style design, Champion Stadium is one of the most picturesque ballparks to host spring training. It's the only completely double-decked spring venue in Florida and its spacious berm enables the ballpark to annually host some of the largest individual game crowds in the Grapefruit League. Champion Stadium looks like a miniature version of a Major League ballpark, and in fact has hosted a half dozen Major League games (three each in 2007 and 2008), along with first-round games in the World Baseball Classic (in 2006). Spring training games are a full-fledged Disney production, complete with between innings entertainment that includes the 7th inning "Sing A Long." There's even a postgame fireworks display, which occurs regardless of whether the Braves win or lose. Refreshingly, there are no ads on the outfield wall. Instead they are on the pennant shaped flags behind the berm in left field. Once known as Cracker Jack Stadium, it was renamed in 2007 after Hanesbrands Inc. purchased the naming rights for ten years.

    Fast Facts

  • Fans enter the ballpark on its third base side, arriving via the walkway that extends to the parking lot.
  • Ticket windows are found in a building along the walkway. The ticket office is actually below the patio on the stadium's third base concourse.
  • The main concourse on the lower level is open to the playing field, although there is another concourse behind it that has concession stands. The upper deck's concourse is behind the grandstand.
  • The upper deck slightly overhangs the lower deck.
  • Fans can stand directly behind the visitor's bullpen that's cut into the berm. The Braves bullpen is elevated above the right field wall, viewable only from a distance.
  • The stadium's large scoreboard is to the immediate left of the batter's eye in straight away center field. It lacks a video board, but does display the hitter's spring training batting average and the speed of each pitch.
  • There are lots of opportunities to bring home a souvenir, both inside and outside of the stadium. The main team shop is a large one behind home plate. An additional Braves shop is next to the ticket office, while tents set up on the walkway to and from the parking lot carry primarily shirts and hats.

    Practice Fields

  • The Braves' Minor League complex is also a part of Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. Referred to as the Baseball Quadraplex, it's directly behind the main stadium.

    Types of Seating
    Champion Stadium seating diagram Fans have their choice between seats with chair backs and armrests, bleachers with contoured backs, or the lawn.

  • Stadium seats: The entire upper level and all seats in lower level sections 107-117.
  • Bleachers: Sections 101-106 down the right field line.
  • Berm: Begins near the visitor's dugout and extends all the way to left-center field.

    Notes about the seating

  • The Braves dugout is on the first base side. To make sure you're on the home side of the stadium, buy your tickets in sections 101-112 or 207-214.
  • The ballpark is split into two levels: the lower and upper level.
  • Seats do not have cup holders.
  • In the lower level, handicap accessible seating is available on the concourse above sections 102-106, 109, 111-114.
  • In the upper level, handicap accessible seating is available in front of the entrance portals for all even numbered sections (208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220).
  • The protective screen behind home plate extends from section 111 to the midpoint of section 115. The thin netting used doesn't obstruct views.
  • Plenty of standing room is available on the concourse above the berm and along its crest. Fans can also stand on the patio behind the bleachers.

    Sections and rows

  • Rows for sections with stadium seats in the lower level range as follows:
    A to U in section 107; D to U in section 108; D to T in section 109; A to U in section 110; A to T in section 111; A to U in sections 112-115; D to U in sections 116-117
  • Rows for sections with stadium seats in the upper level range as follows:
    A to V in section 207; A to W in section 208; A to M in sections 209-215; A to P in section 216; A to M in sections 217-218; A to W in section 219; A to V in section 220
  • Rows for sections with bleacher seats range as follows:
    L to U in section 101; E to T in section 102; A to U in section 103; A to T in sections 104-106
  • Rows I and O are skipped in all sections.
  • Rows A-C in section 110 have only one seat.

    Seats to avoid
    There are quite a few bad seats in the upper level. Rows S and above in section 208 have their views blocked by a camera platform. Ditto for seats 14-18 in rows T, U, V in section 220. A steel beam obstructs the views of fans sitting in rows S and above in section 207, the closer the seat number to 22 the greater the obstruction. Seats 1-3 in rows T, U, V of section 220 are also obstructed by a support beam.

    Seats in the shade
    Because the upper level overhangs the lower level, rows R and up are covered in sections 107-117. The upper level has a trellised roof that provides limited shade to those sitting in rows J and up in sections 207-220.

    VIP seating
    There are four luxury boxes and two open-air suites behind the upper level seats. A private party tent is on the patio behind the lower level bleachers (first base side of the stadium).


    Game Day
    Gates open 2 hours before game time.

    Food, drink and bag policy

  • Outside food and drinks are allowed to be brought into the stadium.
  • Bags are allowed up to a maximum size of 16" x 16" x 8".

    Getting autographs
    Autograph opportunities inside the stadium are limited, as players from both teams access their clubhouse through a tunnel in their dugout, which means they don't have to walk close to fans in the stands. That said, some players do sign before the game. Visiting team players will sign for fans in the berm, which is close to their dugout. The visiting team's bullpen is cut into the berm, which makes it very accessible for fans. Braves players aren't as easy to get to. Your only real chance is to wait down the first base line in the sections just beyond the infield. That's near where the Braves do their pregame stretching...and if you're lucky, signing.

    Unique ballpark fare
    You won't go hungry. There are plenty of options and plenty of concession stands. All of your typical ballpark fare is available and the specialty carts on the first base concourse sell items like gyros and cheesesteaks. Beer on tap is restricted to Miller Lite and Coors Light. A much wider selection of canned beer is available. Coke is the soft drink of choice and there's even chocolate milk for kids.


    2010 Braves Spring Training Schedule


    (only home games at Champion Stadium are listed)
    March Day Time Visiting Team StubHub
    3 Wednesday 1:05 Mets Tickets
    4 Thursday 1:05 Pirates Tickets
    5 Friday 1:05 Nationals Tickets
    7 Sunday 1:05 Astros Tickets
    9 Tuesday 7:05 Phillies Tickets
    10 Wednesday 1:05 Mets Tickets
    12 Friday 1:05 Pirates Tickets
    13 Saturday 1:05 Blue Jays Tickets
    16 Tuesday 1:05 Marlins Tickets
    19 Friday 6:05 Tigers Tickets
    21 Sunday 1:05 Cardinals Tickets
    24 Wednesday 1:05 Phillies Tickets
    26 Friday 1:05 Tigers Tickets
    27 Saturday 1:05 Nationals Tickets
    30 Tuesday 1:05 Yankees Tickets
    31 Wednesday 1:05 Astros Tickets

    * Single game tickets went on sale Saturday, January 9.
    See the full 2010 Braves Spring Training schedule


    Ballpark Area Info
    Champion Stadium is part of Walt Disney World and spring training is just a small part of the resort's offerings. Specifically a part of Disney's 220-acre Wide World of Sports Complex, the stadium is just a couple hundred feet from entrances to the Milk House sports arena and Wide World of Sports Cafe (formerly the Official All Star Café).

    Travelers' notes

  • Disney Transport buses are an ubiquitous site near the stadium.
  • I-4 is so close it's visible from the upper level seats, although it takes about 3 miles to reach by car.
  • As you'd expect at Disney, there's plenty of security around the stadium to ensure your safety.

    Nearby Restaurants

    Restaurants close to Champion Stadium

    Distance Restaurant Street Address City/Zip Phone
    0.1 miles Wide World of Sports Cafe 600 S Victory Way Kissimmee, FL 34747 407-824-4321
    1.0 Fioni's 2901 Parkway Blvd Kissimmee, FL 34747 407-397-1485
    1.0 Little China 2901 Parkway Blvd Kissimmee, FL 34747 407-396-8999
    1.0 Kobe Japanese Steakhouse 2901 Parkway Blvd Kissimmee, FL 34747 407-396-8088
    1.0 Ocean Eleven Seafood Grill 2901 Parkway Blvd Kissimmee, FL 34747 407-396-7736
    1.0 Charley's Steak House 2901 Parkway Blvd Kissimmee, FL 34747 407-239-1270
    1.2 Nature's Table 200 Celebration Pl Kissimmee, FL 34747 407-566-0814
    1.3 Wendy's 2951 Arabian Nights Blvd Kissimmee, FL 34747 407-787-3577
    1.4 On A Roll Deli & Market 600 Market St Kissimmee, FL 34747 407-566-0291
    1.4 Upper Crust Pizza 606 Market St Kissimmee, FL 34747 407-566-1221
    List your restaurant or bar
    Nearby Hotels

    Hotels close to Champion Stadium

    Distance Hotel Street Address City/Zip Phone
    1.0 miles Disney's Pop Century Resort 1050 Century Dr Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 407-938-4000
    1.0 Radisson Resort Celebration 2900 Parkway Blvd Kissimmee, FL 34747 407-396-7000
    1.1 Palms Hotel & Villas 3100 Parkway Blvd Kissimmee, FL 34747 407-396-2229
    1.4 Country Hearth Inn 6075 W Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy Kissimmee, FL 34747 407-396-6100
    1.6 Holiday Inn Nikki Bird Resort 7300 W Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy Kissimmee, FL 34747 407-396-7300
    1.6 Rodeway Inn 5995 W Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy Kissimmee, FL 34747 407-396-4300
    List your hotel
    Nearby attractions

    Airports close to Champion Stadium

    Distance Airport Airport Code
    15.2 miles Orlando International MCO
    58.6 Melbourne International MLB
    64.9 Tampa International TPA
    65.8 Daytona Beach International DAB
    75.7 St. Petersburg-Clearwater International PIE
    89.9 Sarasota Bradenton International SRQ

    Champion Stadium in Lake Buena Vista
    Contact Us With Any Questions About Braves Spring Training