Mets Spring Training
2023 First Practice Dates |
Pitchers & Catchers: February 15Position Players: February 20 |
Recent Attendance |
Year | Total | Average |
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 | 93,644 103,351 96,552 91,329 76,091 87,903 80,377 90,057 87,091 87,322 99,988 | 5,508 5,742 6,897 6,089 5,435 4,626 5,358 5,297 4,838 4,851 5,882 |
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Spring Training Info
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New York Mets Spring Training |
Area Info - Port St. Lucie |
Clover Park (formerly First Data Field) Spring Training home of the Mets since 1988Ballpark address: 525 NW Peacock Boulevard Port St. Lucie, FL 34986 Opened: 1988 Capacity: 7,160 Send this page to a friend |
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Location
Clover Park 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: $10
2024 Mets Spring Training Schedule (only home games at Clover Park are listed) |
* For last season, single game tickets went on sale November 8. Links in calendar are to TicketNetwork inventory. See the full 2024 Mets Spring Training schedule
Stadium Information
Clover Park 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 enter the ballpark through a gate that is behind home plate. A story of stairs then awaits. The steps can be avoided if needed, as elevators are on each side of the staircase (the elevator to the right of the stairs goes to the main concourse; the elevator on the left side is for suite and press level access).
The ticket office is located to the left of the entrance gates, next to the team store. The box office has ten unnumbered windows and three of them are reserved for Will Call.
The main concourse is located behind the stadium and is 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 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.
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 Clover Park 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
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.
As of 2016, lawn and beach chairs are no longer 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.
All sections are behind protective netting.
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 in the stadium's lower grandstand range as follows:
A to F in section 1; A to I in sections 2-3; A to J in section 4; A to I in section 5; A to G in sections 6-7; A to M in sections 8-12; A to G in sections 13-14; A to I in section 15; A to J in section 16; A to C in sections 17-21; A to B in section 22
Rows for sections in the stadium's upper grandstand range as follows:
A to N in sections 104-107; A to M in sections 108-109; E to M in section 110; A to M in sections 111-112; A to N in sections 113-116
Tickets
Sections 1-22 are sold as Lower Reserve.
The first 3 rows of sections 8-12 are sold as Premium Box.
Sections 104-116 are sold as Upper Reserve.
Tabletop seating on the deck behind sections 2-3 is sold as Right Field High Top.
Space on the right field lawn is sold as The Hill/GA.
Ticket prices go up $2 on game day.
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
Ballpark gates usually open 1 hour and 40 minutes before game time, which is 11:30 a.m. for games that start at 1:10. However, gate opening time is earlier for two opponents: when the Red Sox and Yankees visit Port St. Lucie fans are allowed into First Data Field at 11:00.
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 chicken or tuna salad sandwiches. In 2013, fried desserts were introduced at carts on the first and third base concourse and that's still where fried oreos (5 cookies) sell for $6. Behind home plate is the Ulti-Met Grill. It's the place to go to get grilled burgers, brats and dogs. 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 Coke.
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 Clover Park |
Distance | Hotel | Street Address | City/Zip | Phone |
1.3 miles | Hampton Inn & Suites | 155 SW Peacock Blvd | Port St. Lucie, FL 34986 | 772-878-5900 |
1.6 | Residence Inn by Marriott | 1920 SW Fountainview Blvd | Port St. Lucie, FL 34986 | 772-344-7814 |
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 Clover Park |
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 |
List your restaurant or bar |
Airports close to Clover Park |
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 |
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