Astros Spring Training
2016 First Practice Dates |
Pitchers & Catchers: February 19Position Players: February 23 |
Recent Attendance |
Year | Total | Average |
2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 | 50,870 47,781 44,715 53,602 56,379 65,367 59,784 65,804 61,027 | 4,239 3,675 3,726 3,350 4,027 3,845 3,986 3,463 4,068 |
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Spring Training Info
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Houston Astros Spring Training |
Area Info - Kissimmee |
Osceola County Stadium Spring Training home of the Astros from 1985-2016Ballpark address: 631 Heritage Parkway Kissimmee, FL 34744 Opened: 1985 Capacity: 5,300 Send this page to a friend |
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Location
Osceola County Stadium is the centerpiece of the county's Heritage Park, a 120-acre multi-purpose complex that includes a livestock arena and an exhibition building. Gateway High School is directly across the street from the entrance to the park.
Directions
Take either I-4 or the Florida Turnpike to US 192. Follow US 192, also known as Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, to Bill Beck Boulevard. Turn onto Bill Beck Boulevard, then take a left onto Heritage Parkway and the stadium is about a quarter mile away. You'll see its light towers well before you arrive.
To get to US 192 from I-4, take exit # 64. From the Turnpike, take either exit # 242 (northbound) or # 244 (southbound).
Parking
All of the parking for the general public is in a large grass field on the first base side of the stadium. Those with handicapped permits can park in the two paved rows that are as close as you can get to the stadium along its first base side. Fans arriving close to game time should take note that there are actually two entrances to the parking lot. The main and secondary entrance are separated by not even a quarter of a mile. Since everybody is directed into the main entrance, all you have to do to bypass any pre-game back-up there is to drive to the next left turn (those directing traffic will let you through). Very few people will do that so there's not much stop (to pay the attendant) and go at entrance #2, and not many people will exit via that way after the game either.
Cost: $10
Stadium Information
Osceola County Stadium is symbolic of the ballparks built to host spring training in the 1980s. It was also one of the first stadiums produced by HOK, the renowned ballpark architectural firm that became a household name after designing Camden Yards. Although an $18.3 million renovation in 2003 spruced up the place considerably, Osceola County Stadium remains a relatively uninspiring facility known for its basic design and intimacy. Its official capacity of 5,300 is the smallest of any of the 24 ballparks used for spring training. The stadium's exterior is made of concrete shaded in the Astros' team colors and, like the team's home state, the interior has plenty of wide open spaces, as roomy concourses and patios abound. The right field corner is occupied by a building that houses the USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association) headquarters and Hall of Fame. A similarly attractive building in the left field corner contains the Astros' clubhouse and offices. The stadium is named after the county it's located in. Kissimmee is the county seat.
Fast Facts
Fans enter the ballpark through one of two gates (A and B) that are located on opposite sides of the ticket windows directly behind home plate.
The box office has eight unnumbered ticket windows. The first two on the left are the stadium's Will Call windows.
The concourse is located behind the stadium and is completely uncovered.
A fenced in playground called Astroland can be found down the right field line, between the USSSA building and grandstand.
Both bullpens are in foul territory down the outfield lines - the Astros' in left, visitors' in right. There's very little separation between the bullpen benches and seats in the stands directly behind them. It's as if the relief pitchers sit in row 1A and the fans in row 1. For those who actually want to sit in row 1 behind either bullpen, the Astros' bench spans all of section 103 (that's seats 1 to 16) and seats 1-3 in section 102; the visiting team's bullpen bench is in front of seats 13-16 in section 118 and seats 1-8 in section 117.
The stadium's only scoreboard is in right-center field. It has an electronic line score and a panel that displays the name of the batter.
Just like at Minute Maid Park, Deep in the Heart of Texas is played during the 7th inning stretch.
The team store behind home plate, which is simply designated as "Team Store," sells a wide selection of Astros merchandise.
Practice Fields
The Astros' minor league complex contains five and a half practice fields, with four of them arranged in the traditional cloverleaf formation directly behind the ballpark's left field wall. The actual address for the complex is 1000 Bill Beck Boulevard.
There is no access to the practice fields on the days that the Astros have a home game.
For workouts in February you can park in the media lot, which is very near the complex's fan entrance gate. Signage will point the way to it, with a wide sidewalk taking you there. Four of the fields within the Astros' complex are fan-accessible (fields 1-4 are, field #5 isn't) and multiple sets of uncovered bleachers are set up at each of those fields.
Types of Seating
All seats in the ballpark have chair backs and armrests and are painted green.
Stadium seats: 5,300
Bleachers: none
Berm: none
Notes about the seating
The Astros dugout is on the third base side. To make sure you're on the home side of the stadium, buy your tickets in sections 101-109 or 201-210.
An aisle divides the seating into two sections. Box seats (100 level) are below the aisle and Reserved seats (200 level) are above it.
All seats have cup holders.
Handicap accessible seating is made up of rows of wheelchair spaces and companion seats that are found above a handful of sections. In box seats, handicapped seating comprises row 6 of sections 104, 108, 112 & 116. In reserved seats, handicapped seating is above sections 201, 204-205, 216-217 & 220 in row 20.
The protective netting behind home plate extends from sections 108-112 and attaches to the roof, which makes people sitting behind the screen feel like they are in a cage.
The tarp is very far down the right field line, and stationed beyond the grandstand, so it can't block any views from the stadium's seats.
The ballpark has plenty of standing room, which enables it to hold far more fans than its listed capacity. Fans can stand behind sections 201-205 and 216-220, plus in open patios down the left and right field line.
Sections and rows
Rows for stadium sections range as follows:
2 to 8 in sections 101-103; 2 to 5 in section 104; 6 to 8 in sections 105-107; 1 to 5 in section 108; 1 to 8 in sections 109-111; 1 to 5 in section 112; 6 to 8 in sections 113-115; 2 to 5 in section 116; 2 to 8 in sections 117-119; 9 to 19 in section 201; 9 to 22 in sections 202-203; 9 to 19 in sections 204-205; 9 to 22 in section 206; 9 to 16 in sections 209-212; 9 to 22 in section 215; 9 to 19 in sections 216-217; 9 to 22 in sections 218-219; 9 to 19 in section 220
Sections 207, 208, 213 & 214 are made up of two rows of outdoor balcony seating that are reserved for suite holders.
Tickets
Sections 101-104 and 116-119 are sold as Outfield Box.
Sections 105-115 are sold as Dugout Box.
Sections 201-203 and 218-220 are sold as Outfield Reserve.
Sections 204-217 are sold as Upper Reserve.
Children ages 2 & under get in free if they can sit on the lap of an adult.
Seats to avoid
The worst sections are the last lower level ones on each side -- 101 and 119. Those sections are too far away from home plate, and when you're too far away you don't want to be sitting low (elevation is the key to best see the field further down the outfield lines). Another issue people in sections 101 and 119 have to deal with is occasionally blocked views from pitchers warming up in the bullpen, which takes place on the field in the line of sight from seats in those field-level sections. Some individual seats in sections 108 and 112 are angled poorly due to the design of the stadium behind home plate. That creates an issue for any seat numbered 8 through 13 in section 112, and at least the first few seats (staring with 1) of the five rows in section 108. For example, seats 1-5 in row 4 of section 108 aren't directly facing what they should be because of the way the stands are angled on that side of home plate, an angle which you can see in the stadium seating diagram. Because of the two pictured "bends," the aforementioned seats, which are on the near ends of sections 108 and 112 where the rows taper, are pointed towards foul territory or the dugout.
Also, if the volume is turned up -- and it often is -- fans sitting in row 16 of sections 202-206 and 215-219 are directly below the stadium's speakers, which are attached to the roofline and produce noise that is way too loud for the folks sitting in their vicinity because announcements and music must be blared at a decibel level to ensure that they can be heard throughout the stadium. While the problem is limited to brief bursts, like a batter's theme music, the thundering speakers make it especially difficult to carry on a conversation while they're being used for those sitting in rows that trace the roofline.
Seats in the shade
A roof providers cover for rows 16 & up in reserved sections 202-206 and 215-219. Because the sun is behind the first base grandstand, rows 12 & up of sections 215-219 will be shaded at the beginning of afternoon games while only rows 18 & up are blocked from the sun in sections 202-206 at first pitch. Those wanting to sit behind home plate and enjoy all game shade are limited to the last two rows (15 & 16) of sections 209-212. Over the course of the afternoon, more seats in sections 202-206 (about 4 rows, down to row 14) and 209-212 (down to at least row 13) become shaded.
VIP seating
A small number of suites are located on both sides of the press box and have outdoor balconies with stadium seating. A party deck atop the USSSA building can accommodate up to 80 people.
Game Day
Gates open 2 hours before game time.
Food, drink and bag policy
Only plastic bottles of water can be brought into the stadium. No food is allowed.
Bags are allowed up to a maximum size of 16" x 16" x 8".
Getting autographs
This is the best stadium for autographs in the Grapefruit League. The Autograph Alleys - patios down each outfield line - are great places to get autographs before, after and even during the game. The patios are adjacent to each team's clubhouse - the Astros' in left and visitors' in right. Fans have pretty good access to both team's bullpens, where pitchers sign before and after games. Players also sign for fans along the fences from each dugout to the foul poles both before and after the game. All in all, the stadium provides plenty of opportunities to get autographs, which is a break from what has become the norm elsewhere.
Unique ballpark fare
Over the years a good selection of grub has been found at various concession stands and carts on the concourse that's behind the grandstand, where truly southern stuff, like boiled peanuts and sweet tea, compete for dining dollars with other not so traditional ballpark menu items like gyros, tacos and corn dogs. Kissimmee constants include pulled pork (or brisket) put on a sandwich, fried chicken on a stick, and steak placed in a pita. Generally, you get very good value for what you spend on the food, as the portions are often, appropriately, Texas-sized. Beer on tap, however, has been downsized to Rhode Island-sized options, as in 2013 the only draft choices were Bud and Bud Light. Prior spring trainings had a few more selections in addition to those two mainstays. The company that has long provided fountain drink service here is Coca-Cola.
2016 Astros Spring Training Schedule (only home games at Osceola County Stadium are listed) |
March |
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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4 Cardinals 1:05 |
5 Mets 1:05 |
6 Blue Jays 1:05 |
7 |
8 Nationals 1:05 |
9 Braves 1:05 |
10 |
11 Tigers 1:05 |
12 |
13 Braves 1:05 |
14 |
15 Nationals 1:05 |
16 Tigers 1:05 |
17 Blue Jays 1:05 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 Braves 1:05 |
23 Phillies 6:05 |
24 |
25 |
26 Marlins 6:05 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
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* Single game tickets went on sale Saturday, January 30. See the full 2016 Astros Spring Training schedule
Ballpark Area Info
The Astros train about 10 miles from one of the greatest tourist destinations the world has ever known - Walt Disney World. Besides that, there is lots to do in the surrounding area. From mini golf to helicopter tours, there are plenty of diversions. There's also plenty of lodging and restaurants to cater to the throngs of year-round visitors, a byproduct of which makes a visit to Kissimmee very cost efficient (meaning cheap). No other spring training destination offers so many good hotel rooms at such an affordable price (often less than $35). As such, the area is a good one to base your Florida spring training trip out of.
Travelers' notes
The Florida Turnpike is 2 miles from the stadium.
The closest Interstate, I-4, is 13 miles away.
Osceola Heritage Park, of which the stadium is a part of, is an oasis of recreation in an area awash with commercial development. Given the magnitude of that development it is surprising that almost nothing is run down. You'll feel safe, not at just the ballpark, but everywhere you go.
Hotels close to Osceola County Stadium |
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Distance | Hotel | Street Address | City/Zip | Phone |
0.5 miles | Stadium Inn & Suites | 2039 E Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy | Kissimmee, FL 34744 | 407-846-7814 |
0.6 | Heritage Park Inn | 2050 E Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy | Kissimmee, FL 34744 | 407-846-4545 |
0.8 | Ramada | 2145 E Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy | Kissimmee, FL 34744 | 407-846-4646 |
3.7 | Super 8 Kissimmee Suites | 1815 W Vine St | Kissimmee, FL 34741 | 407-847-6121 |
9.6 | Holiday Inn Orlando Celebration | 5711 W Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy | Kissimmee, FL 34746 | 407-396-4222 |
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Restaurants close to Osceola County Stadium |
Distance | Restaurant | Street Address | City/Zip | Phone |
0.25 miles | KFC/Taco Bell | 1924 E Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy | Kissimmee, FL 34744 | 407-932-0950 |
0.3 | Burger King | 1920 E Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy | Kissimmee, FL 34744 | 407-846-2085 |
0.35 | Mom's Pizza & Deli | 1943 E Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy | Kissimmee, FL 34744 | 407-935-0300 |
0.55 | Denny's | 2051 E Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy | Kissimmee, FL 34744 | 407-846-7523 |
0.6 | Cinco De Mayo Mexican Kitchen | 2050 E Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy | Kissimmee, FL 34744 | 407-932-2555 |
0.7 | IHOP | 2095 E Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy | Kissimmee, FL 34744 | 407-944-3355 |
0.75 | McDonald's | 2110 E Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy | Kissimmee, FL 34744 | 407-933-8007 |
0.9 | Third Base Pub | 225 Simpson Rd | Kissimmee, FL 34744 | 407-846-4747 |
1.0 | Nick's Subs | 2312 Fortune Rd | Kissimmee, FL 34744 | 407-962-0016 |
1.0 | Benny Wong's Chinese | 2318 Fortune Rd | Kissimmee, FL 34744 | 407-344-7996 |
1.0 | Olde Cuba Restaurant | 2215 E Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy | Kissimmee, FL 34744 | 407-518-0510 |
1.1 | Rodeo Diner | 2235 E Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy | Kissimmee, FL 34744 | 407-846-8003 |
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Airports close to Osceola County Stadium |
Distance | Airport | Airport Code |
7.3 miles | Orlando International | MCO |
47.0 | Melbourne International | MLB |
64.1 | Daytona Beach International | DAB |
74.7 | Tampa International | TPA |
Contact Us With Any Questions About Astros Spring Training
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