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Stadium | Location | Parking | Seating | Schedule

Hotels | Restaurants

Tradition Field

Spring Training home of the Mets since 1988

Ballpark address:
525 NW Peacock Boulevard
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

Opened: 1988
Capacity: 7,160

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Location
Tradition Field is found on what is known locally as Florida's Treasure Coast and is within 1.5 miles of I-95. Between the ballpark and Interstate are some bustling strip shopping centers and the last commercial development prior to reaching it is a QVC call center and the University Park office building, while the South County Regional Football/Soccer Stadium is across the street.

Directions
Take I-95 to Exit 121 (St. Lucie West Blvd.) and go east for almost a half mile to the first traffic light. Turn left at the light onto NW Peacock Boulevard and the stadium is about a mile away on your right.

Parking
There is a large paved/grass lot that surrounds the front of the stadium. The paved section is closest to the stadium but is mostly reserved for handicapped and staff parking so most fans park in the big grass field behind it. Unlike many grass fields used for parking this one has light poles so you can better spot your car after the occasional night game.
Cost: $7

Stadium Information
Tradition Field was a gift to the city of Port St. Lucie by its original namesake, local developer Thomas J. White. The covered plaza in front of the stadium is still named in his honor, but Thomas J. White Stadium was renamed in 2004 after the developer of the master-planned community of Tradition decided to pony up $150,000 annually for 10 years. The naming rights deal was needed to help offset some of the $8.7 million spent on additions and renovations that were completed prior to the 2004 spring training season. Chief among them was building a berm in right field and a party terrace down the left field line, which is home to a popular Tiki Bar. In 2012, the right field line received its own terrace section as part of a $2.5 million renovation that removed the last remaining bleachers from the stadium, which had sets standing down the right field line since it opened. Since 2005, the stadium has had a 9/11 memorial sculpture in front of it that includes a piece of steel from the World Trade Center. Memorials to three deceased team employees are behind the Twin Towers statue. Inside the stadium, a mural of great players and moments in Mets history is on the facade of the press box. As for the name Tradition Field, it's in its second incarnation, having ceased to exist originally when Core Communities defaulted on their payments to maintain the name so that on March 23, 2010 the ballpark received a new one, with the honor going to Digital Domain Holdings, a visual effects production studio which agreed to pay $75,000 for the privilege in 2010, $90,000 in 2011, $100,000 in 2012, and an escalating amount after that through 2018 to be determined by the Consumer Price Index. But post 2012 payments proved to be a moot point after Digital Domain went bankrupt on September 11 of that year. After a brief period being known simply as Mets Stadium following the demise of the Digital Domain Park moniker, it was announced on February 7, 2013 that the name was reverting back to Tradition Field, which was possible thanks to the improved fortunes of the company behind the 8,300-acre mixed-use real estate development.

Fast Facts

Fans can enter the ballpark through three gates. Most use one of the two gates behind home plate (A & B), from which ramps take them from street level to the grandstand one story above on concourse level. Fans with berm tickets can choose to enter through a separate gate (C) down the right field line, which is certainly the most convenient option for those with tickets for the right field-located grass covered hill.

Ticket windows are under cover near the blue and white canopy directly behind home plate, a location that is equidistant between gates A and B. There are six unnumbered windows and the first two on the left are set aside for Will Call ticket pick up.

The main concourse is located behind the stadium. It's fairly narrow but completely covered.

The bullpens are in foul territory alongside the Field Level Terrace sections, with the Mets' bullpen found down the left field line and the visitors' located down the right field line.

The stadium has one scoreboard. It's a big one in left-center field that includes a big video screen.

The main Mets team shop, called Fan Gear, can only be entered from outside of the stadium at street level through double doors next to the ticket office. In 2013, another walk-in Mets Fan Gear shop opened, this time within the stadium on the concourse behind home plate. The store entered from outside the stadium is bigger and better, but each have a great selection of souvenirs and gifts to choose from based on their size. Additionally, there's a small game used memorabilia stand near the in-stadium store; it shares space with the stadium's information booth.

Practice Fields

The Mets' minor league complex and a big league practice field are located on site, behind left field, and the gate to them opens each morning at 9:30. On days when the Mets are playing at Tradition Field the back fields close to fans before the game begins, sometimes as early as 30 minutes before the stadium's gates open.

The practice field entrance gate is located near where fans enter the stadium parking lot from Peacock Boulevard.

The Mets mostly use the stadium field for their pregame practice, but some activity generally also occurs on field #2, which is the practice field that's next to the complex's sole entrance. However, fans are limited to where they can watch practice on field #2 from. No seating is available there and standing behind the fence along the right field line is as close as you can get.

Mets minor leaguers practice and play their games on fields that are numbered 4-7. Field #7 has the same dimensions as Citi Field and is quite visible from within most of the stadium, as it's directly behind the scoreboard. Bleacher seating is available at all four fields. The bleachers at fields 4 and 6 are uncovered, while shade structures cover most of the seats at fields 5 and 7.

Fans cannot watch minor league spring training games on the days in which the Mets have a home game since the entire complex will be closed to the general public prior to when those games begin in the early afternoon.

Types of Seating
Tradition Field seating diagram Fans have their choice between seats with chair backs and armrests in the grandstand or sitting on the grass in the outfield.

Stadium seats: All 100 and 200 level sections

Bleachers: none

Berm: A sizable hill in right field

Notes about the seating

The Mets dugout is on the third base side. To make sure you're on the home side of the stadium, buy your tickets in any even-numbered section.

An aisle divides the stadium's main grandstand into two unequal halves. Lower Reserved seats are below the cross aisle, Upper Reserved seats are above it.

Sections 114-124 comprise the Field Level Terrace seats, named after the party terraces directly behind them. The seats in the three sections down the right field line are all angled towards the infield. Seats in the six sections down the left field line are not.

All seats in the grandstand have cup holders.

Except for select games, lawn and beach chairs are allowed in the berm.

The berm has its own concession stand and bathrooms.

Handicap accessible seating is found above sections 102-103, 106-107 and 110-111 in row K, which is comprised of wheelchair spaces and companion seats. There are also some accessible spaces in front of the tiki bar that's on the party portion of the left field line Terrace sections.

The protective screen behind home plate extends from sections 101-105.

The tarp rests on the field partly in front of sections 111 and 113 but is a non-issue for fans in the front row seats there due to the grandstand's slight elevation.

Standing room is plentiful on the deck and walkway that collectively extend slightly past the first base grandstand to the berm in right field. The party terrace along the left field line has limited, but covered, standing space.

Moving about the ballpark is fairly easy. Ushers only deny admittance to those trying to get into sections 101-113 without a proper ticket.

Sections and rows

Rows for sections with stadium seats range as follows:
AA to CC then A to K in sections 101-105; D to K in sections 106-109; A to J in sections 110-111; A to K in sections 112-113; A to C in sections 114, 116, 118, 120, 122; A to B in section 124; A to J in sections 115 and 117; A to F in section 119; L to X in sections 201-205; L to Y in sections 206-213

Row I is skipped in all sections and there are no sections 121 or 123.

Tickets

Sections 101-113 are sold as Lower Reserved.

The first 3 rows of sections 101-105 are sold as Premium Box.

Sections 114-124 are sold as Field Level Terrace.

Sections 201-213 are sold as Upper Reserved.

Space on the right field lawn is sold as Berm.

Children ages 2 and under do not require a ticket when accompanied by an adult.

Seats to avoid
Camera platforms partially obstruct the views from a small handful of Upper Reserved seats:

In sections 208 and 209: seats 23-27 in row Y.

In section 210: seat 7 in row W, seats 7-9 in row X, and seats 7-10 in row Y.

In section 211: seat 7 in row W, seats 7-9 in row X, and seats 7-9 in row Y.

Seats in section 124 are rather far away from home plate and are hemmed in on their backside by a handicapped ramp, giving them a claustrophobic vibe. Although fans sitting in the two rows there do enjoy a close proximity to pitchers sitting in the Mets bullpen they are also sitting in the worst section of seats in the house.

Seats in the shade
The roof is a big ugly one that flairs upwards but serves its purpose quite well, casting shade upon all fans in sections 201-207 and most fans in sections 101-106. Technically, the odd-numbered sections (101, 103, 105, plus most of 107) are shaded when the game starts, with the even-numbered sections (102, 104, 106) enjoying full shade by 2:15 (during Daylight Saving Time). Umbrella canopies protect fans from the sun in the picnic decks found above the berm and left field party terrace.

VIP seating
Closest to the playing field are three rows (AA-CC) of Premium Box seats between the dugouts. Three tiers of metal picnic table seating are available for groups on the left field party terrace. The two-story press box structure has a mix of open air and traditional suites.

Game Day
All ballpark gates open 2 hours before game time. So that's 11:10 a.m. for the most frequent game time of 1:10 p.m.

Food, drink and bag policy

Food is not allowed to be brought into the stadium. Sealed plastic bottles of water are.

Bags are allowed up to a maximum size of 16" x 16" x 8".

Getting autographs
The best pregame spot is section 122, which is directly behind the Mets bullpen. Opportunities depend on how willing the relief pitchers are to sign, but accessibility is much better there than the Mets' dugout, where a player will occasionally sign for fans gathered in section 110. Autographs from visiting players are much harder to come by, with the vicinity of their bullpen the most accessible spot. Specifically, visiting pitchers sit on a bench in front of sections 117 and (mostly) 119. Tunnels to the clubhouses for both teams are in their dugouts, so there's not much chance of getting an autograph inside the stadium following the game although a player or two from the visiting team might sign outside of the stadium in the area behind the first base grandstand where they board their bus. For those interested, head to where the "Gate 3" sign is posted on the black chain-link fence and players or coaches, in their street clothes by then, will sometimes sign items at the fence prior to boarding the bus.

Unique ballpark fare
Nathan's hot dogs are served throughout the ballpark. Knishes are sold at some concession stands. Specialty stands in recent years have served up such treats as the taco in a helmet, crêpes and cheese steaks (not the Philly kind - these had cheese poured on top). In 2013, fried desserts were introduced, as fried oreos (5 cookies) and nutter butters (a small package worth) sell for $6 on the first and third base concourse. Behind home plate is the Ulti-Met Grill. Besides offering grilled burgers and dogs, it's the place to go to get Brooklyn Lager. Bud, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra have been the ballpark's readily available on draft mainstays over the years, with a few other lesser nationally known labels found on tap at various points of sale, which include the left field line Tiki Bar and right field line Bullpen Bar. Fountain drink service comes from Pepsi.

2013 Mets Spring Training Schedule (only home games at Tradition Field are listed)
February	Day	Time	Visiting Team	TicketsNow
23	Saturday	12:10	Nationals	Tickets
24	Sunday	12:10	Michigan	Tickets
25	Monday	6:10	Nationals	Tickets
27	Wednesday	1:10	Cardinals	Tickets
March	Day	Time	Visiting Team	TicketsNow
1	Friday	1:10	Tigers	Tickets
2	Saturday	1:10	Marlins	Tickets
4	Monday	1:10	Braves	Tickets
6	Wednesday	12:35	Venezuela	Tickets
7	Thursday	1:10	Marlins	Tickets
9	Saturday	1:10	Astros	Tickets
14	Thursday	1:10	Tigers	Tickets
16	Saturday	1:10	Marlins	Tickets
17	Sunday	1:10	Braves	Tickets
21	Thursday	1:10	Cardinals	Tickets
23	Saturday	1:10	Nationals	Tickets
24	Sunday	1:10	Tigers	Tickets
26	Tuesday	1:10	Cardinals	Tickets
27	Wednesday	6:10	Astros	Tickets
29	Friday	12:10	Cardinals	Tickets
* Single game tickets went on sale Saturday, January 19. See the full 2013 Mets Spring Training schedule

Ballpark Area Info
Just like the ballparks in Arizona that have spurred surrounding development following their construction, Tradition Field has transformed a once secluded patch of real estate into a destination for shopping, dining and entertainment. Chain restaurants, hotels and a bowling alley have all sprung up in recent years just south of the stadium, which is close to the PGA Village and its three championship golf courses. The town of Tradition, the master-planned Port St. Lucie community for which the ballpark is named, was established in 2003 and is just a few miles away.

Travelers' notes

The closest Interstate, I-95, is about 1½ miles away.

Allow yourself ample time to get to the stadium. Pregame traffic starts backing up early. The culprit is the single turning lane at the intersections of St. Lucie West and Peacock Boulevards, where you have to turn left at the traffic light. That intersection simply was not built to handle the volume of game day traffic, which leads to stop and go delays exiting I-95 the closer it gets to game time.

There are no safety concerns here.

Hotels close to Tradition Field			Become a featured advertiser
Distance	Hotel	Street Address	City/Zip	Phone
0.75 miles	Springhill Suites	2000 NW Courtyard Cir	Port St. Lucie, FL 34986	772-871-2929
6.3	Motel 6	2500 Peters Rd	Fort Pierce, FL 34945	772-461-9937
7.0	Best Western All Suites	7900 S US Highway 1	Port St. Lucie, FL 34952	772-878-7600
17.2	Clarion Inn ~ Stuart	1200 SE Federal Hwy	Stuart, FL 34994	772-287-6900
17.5	Royal Inn Beach Hutchinson Island	222 Hernando St	Fort Pierce, FL 34949	772-672-8888
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Restaurants close to Tradition Field
Distance	Restaurant	Street Address	City/Zip	Phone
0.6 miles	Ruby Tuesday	1500 NW Courtyard Cir	Port St. Lucie, FL 34986	772-340-2575
0.6	Friendly's	230 NW Peacock Blvd	Port St. Lucie, FL 34986	772-871-1977
0.75	Hokkaido Hibachi	1960 NW Courtyard Cir	Port St. Lucie, FL 34986	772-878-4188
0.75	Outback Steakhouse	1950 NW Courtyard Cir	Port St. Lucie, FL 34986	772-873-9990
0.75	Chili's	2050 NW Courtyard Cir	Port St. Lucie, FL 34986	772-344-0021
0.8	Berry Fresh Cafe	1718 SW St. Lucie W Blvd	Port St. Lucie, FL 34986	772-336-5291
0.8	West End Grill	1680 SW St. Lucie W Blvd	Port St. Lucie, FL 34986	772-343-1146
0.8	Arby's	1621 NW St. Lucie W Blvd	Port St. Lucie, FL 34986	772-204-8877
0.8	Burger King	1545 NW St. Lucie W Blvd	Port St. Lucie, FL 34986	772-879-6008
1.0	Panera Bread	1707 NW St. Lucie W Blvd	Port St. Lucie, FL 34986	772-237-8088
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Airports close to Tradition Field
Distance	Airport		Airport Code
55.7 miles	Palm Beach International		PBI
62.4	Melbourne International		MLB
102.5	Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International		FLL
119.9	Orlando International		MCO
123.2	Miami International		MIA

Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie
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Tradition Field

2013 Mets Spring Training Schedule

Hotels close to Tradition Field

Restaurants close to Tradition Field

Airports close to Tradition Field