Braves Spring Training

2013 First Practice Dates
Pitchers & Catchers: February 12 Position Players: February 15

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Stadium | Location | Parking | Seating | Schedule

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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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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 stretch "Sing A Long." There's even a postgame fireworks display, which occurs regardless of whether the Braves win or lose. Refreshingly, advertising is less prominent here than at any other spring training ballpark. Prior to 2010, there were no ads on the outfield wall. Although a few banners are now draped over it, most sponsors are limited to promoting their brand 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 visitors' bullpen that's cut into the berm. The Braves' bullpen is elevated above the right field wall, viewable only from a distance.

The stadium has a pair of large scoreboards that flank opposite ends of the batter's eye that's in straight away center field. To the left is the traditional line scoreboard, which also displays the hitter's spring training batting average and the speed of each pitch. In 2010, a high-definition video board was added to the right of the green batter's backdrop.

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.

Within the Baseball Quadraplex are four full-sized practice fields. They are simply labeled fields 2 through 5. Field 1 is at the back of the complex and is a half-field. It's also the only field that doesn't have covered seating for spectators.

To get to the Baseball Quadraplex, follow the sidewalk that's between Champion Stadium and the HP Field House. That sidewalk is parallel to the baseball stadium's first base line and at its end are steps and a ramp that lead to a paved then gravel path, the latter of which leads to the baseball practice fields.

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.

All stadium seats 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 and on the concourse that rings the top of the lower level grandstand.

Fans are free to roam between the grandstand and lawn seating. Ushers are stationed at all sections but the only ones for which they will not allow non-ticket holders to enter are 107-117, although restrictiveness there wanes as the game progresses into the late innings.

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.

Tickets

Sections 101-106 are sold as Bleacher Reserved.

Sections 107-117 are sold as Lower Reserved.

Sections 207-220 are sold as Upper Reserved.

Space on the berm is sold as General Admission Lawn.

Children under the age of 3 get in to the game for free.

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 & up are covered in sections 107-117. The upper level has a trellised roof that's above rows J & up in sections 207-220. However, the position of the sun during afternoon games is such that only speckled shade is available in rows Q & up in sections 219-220, while all seats in sections 210-218 lack shade. If you really want shade, rows J & up in sections 207-209 is where you want to be, with a preference given to seats in rows J to P, as anything above row P can potentially have an obstructed view courtesy of the trellised roof's support beams. Over the course of the afternoon, most of the seats in sections 207-211 became shaded as are all seats behind the Braves' dugout (sections 108-110). You can expect full shade in those sections by 3:00 before daylight savings time starts, but not until 4:00 afterwards.

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 3 hours before game time. Because the Champion Stadium box office doubles as the Wide World of Sports Complex box office, the wait time for tickets can be rather lengthy if you arrive close to game time. So expect to spend 10-15 minutes in line if you didn't buy tickets before game day.

Food, drink and bag policy

Outside food and drinks are allowed to be brought into the stadium (although the stadium's general rules say they aren't permitted).

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. After the game, the best place to get autographs is actually outside of the stadium. Head to the Baseball Quadraplex, which is where the Braves practice. Alongside the alley between the stadium and practice field # 5 is where you want to be, as a handful of players often come over to the chain link fence to sign for the fans gathered there as they walk to their nearby parking lot.

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 down the first base line concourse sell items like gyros and cheesesteaks. Beer on tap is restricted to Miller Lite and Bud 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.

2013 Braves Spring Training Schedule (only home games at Champion Stadium are listed)
February	Day	Time	Visiting Team	TicketsNow
22	Friday	1:05	Tigers	Tickets
23	Saturday	1:05	Yankees	Tickets
25	Monday	1:05	Marlins	Tickets
26	Tuesday	1:05	Nationals	Tickets
March	Day	Time	Visiting Team	TicketsNow
1	Friday	6:05	Nationals	Tickets
3	Sunday	1:05	Tigers	Tickets
7	Thursday	6:05	Tigers	Tickets
8	Friday	1:05	Blue Jays	Tickets
10	Sunday	1:05	Marlins	Tickets
12	Tuesday	1:05	Cardinals	Tickets
15	Friday	1:05	Mets	Tickets
16	Saturday	5:05	Yankees	Tickets
18	Monday	1:05	Phillies	Tickets
20	Wednesday	1:05	Pirates	Tickets
21	Thursday	6:05	Nationals	Tickets
23	Saturday	1:05	Astros	Tickets
25	Monday	1:05	Mets	Tickets
28	Thursday	1:05	Astros	Tickets
* Single game tickets went on sale Monday, November 26. See the full 2013 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 HP Field House sports arena and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill (formerly the Official All Star Café).

Travelers' notes

Disney Transport buses are a ubiquitous sight 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.

Hotels close to Champion Stadium			Become a featured advertiser
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
1.6	Rodeway Inn	5995 W Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy	Kissimmee, FL 34747	407-396-4300
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Restaurants close to Champion Stadium
Distance	Restaurant	Street Address	City/Zip	Phone
0.1 miles	Wide World of Sports Grill	700 S Victory Way	Kissimmee, FL 34747	407-939-3463
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
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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

Champion Stadium

2013 Braves Spring Training Schedule

Hotels close to Champion Stadium

Restaurants close to Champion Stadium

Airports close to Champion Stadium