I’ve heard many individuals rave about going to Clearwater, Fla., to look at the Phillies throughout spring coaching. One in all my buddies goes yearly with a gaggle of family members.
Regardless of being an avid Philadelphia sports activities fan, I had by no means made the journey. Between airfare, resort, Ubers and meals, it’s not an affordable journey. Nevertheless, after discovering it was logistically potential to fly to Clearwater, catch a recreation, and fly again to Philly all in at some point, I figured I might expertise Phillies spring coaching on a funds.
2:55 a.m.
My alarm rang. Imagine it or not, I used to be very excited. Regardless of having solely slept round three hours, I knew a enjoyable day was forward. My garments had been already laid out on my chair, and my bag was full of every little thing I wanted. I took a fast bathe, ate a banana and drove off to the airport. The primary flight out of Philly to Tampa was at 5:40 a.m., and if I wished this to work, I couldn’t miss it.
3:51 a.m.
I arrived at The Parking Spot, loads near the airport which might shuttle me to the airport terminal. At simply $24 for the day, it was cheaper than an Uber, and it was too early to take Regional Rail. This was my first time making an attempt one in all these parking companies, and I used to be impressed {that a} shuttle arrived at my automobile inside two minutes after I parked. I used to be not anticipating this stage of service at 4 a.m.
4:15 a.m.
I received dropped off at Terminal E and, as I walked towards the TSA safety traces, I used to be blown away by the gang. How had been there this many individuals on the airport at 4 a.m.? Up to now 12 months I’ve flown out of PHL about 10 occasions, and I’ve by no means seen the road this lengthy. This might take as much as an hour, and trigger me to overlook my flight. An journey over earlier than it might start! What a nightmare!!
5:03 a.m.
Excellent news: I received by means of safety in time. Unhealthy information: My flight was delayed by virtually three hours. I couldn’t consider how shortly I handed by means of the safety line, solely to be met with a large delay. The silver lining of this was that it will not have an effect on my capacity to get to the Phillies recreation on time. The flight was so early that even a delay this huge would get me to Tampa about two hours earlier than the primary pitch. To kill my three hours in journey limbo, I bought a day go at a newly opened airport lounge, the place I used to be capable of seize a giant breakfast — and a nap in a quiet room. Not fairly well worth the $100 day go, however I didn’t remorse it.
7:57 a.m.
The aircraft to Tampa was efficiently boarded. I used to be blessed with an exit row seat, giving me nearly infinite legroom. Thoughts you, I didn’t pay additional for this exit row seat. It was pure luck. The roundtrip aircraft ticket was $181, though it seemingly would have been cheaper if I had booked it greater than eight days upfront. Nonetheless, this entire journey would come out cheaper than an Eagles ticket within the decrease bowl, so I felt this spring coaching journey was an inexpensive deal.
11:20 a.m.
Landing in Tampa. The flight was simple sufficient, I had slept by means of most of it. I didn’t need to order an Uber to Clearwater as a result of my cousin, David, who lives in Florida, got here to choose me up. As a thanks, I introduced a cheesesteak with me from Philly and gifted it to him. No, it was not 100% contemporary — I bought it the evening earlier than — however David was very completely satisfied to bask in our metropolis’s high delicacy.
12:10 p.m.
Whereas within the sunny state of Florida, I wished to benefit from the solar, and never simply on the ballpark. Sure, this journey was brief, however it didn’t imply I couldn’t cease on the seaside. Clearwater is understood for its lovely seashores. Sadly, I wasn’t capable of make it there. As an alternative, we made a 20-minute pit cease at Courtney Campbell Causeway Seashore, which was proper off the freeway on our solution to the ballpark. Whereas not as fancy or secluded, it was a well-kept little seaside, solely quarter-hour from the ballpark, making it an ideal cease for this fast journey. I turned into my shorts, walked round within the sand, walked ankle-deep into the water, and received again into the automobile. Because of the flight delay earlier, my seaside time received reduce from about two hours to twenty minutes.
1:07 p.m.
Visitors going to BayCare Ballpark was heavy, and our little seaside tour price us the primary inning. I didn’t count on parking to be so hectic, however after an $18 parking payment, we had been able to go in and see what spring coaching ball was all about.
1:19 p.m.
By the point we discovered a spot within the “berm” seating part, it was already 4-0, Phils. The berm seats offer you entry to the grassy, general-admission space past the outfield, and are typically the most affordable tickets you should buy. I paid $43 for my ticket. Within the berm, followers can sit, lay down a towel and picnic whereas watching the sport — although in contrast to Philly’s Residents Financial institution Park, you can’t deliver exterior meals into Baycare Ballpark. Earlier than sitting down, David and I took a lap across the ballpark, placed on some complimentary 30 SPF sunscreen, and purchased some lemonade.
2:02 p.m.
Kyle Schwarber hits a three-run residence run. It’s now 8-1 Phillies within the backside of the second inning. This loopy journey itinerary is beginning to look very a lot price it. I can already really feel myself burning up within the solar, which is a sense I haven’t felt again residence since September. The complimentary sunscreen completely saved my pores and skin immediately, I had not deliberate for the depth of the Florida solar.
2:50 p.m.
After sitting for some time, I made a decision to stroll across the ballpark. At 11-3, the sport was basically within the bag and I wished to discover some extra, because it was my first time at this stadium. I used to be very impressed by all of the meals choices obtainable: scorching canine, cheesesteaks, seafood baskets, nachos, sweet, burgers … and that isn’t even half of it. This can be a spring coaching recreation, however there was no scarcity of selection. I did, nonetheless, discover the merch retailer underwhelming. There was some number of distinctive spring coaching merch, a few of it tropical themed, however it was nonetheless restricted. As a lot as I wished to purchase one thing, nothing stood out to me.
3:18 p.m.
Max Kepler smashes a three-run residence run. It’s now 14-3, Phillies, within the backside of the sixth inning. That is changing into a core reminiscence for me as a Phillie fan. I can’t consider what number of runs I’m seeing.
4:37 p.m.
The Phillies win, 16-9. I’m speeding out of the stadium to make my 6:25 flight again to Philly. The airport is about 40 minutes away with rush-hour site visitors, I’m going to chop it very shut. I felt somewhat burnt and drained, however I used to be greater than happy with this journey. All that was left to do to make this successful was to make the flight residence.
5:22 p.m.
Arrival at Tampa Worldwide Airport. I stated a fast goodbye to David, and rushed into the airport. I assumed I used to be slicing it additional shut, however after checking the departures display screen, I noticed the flight was delayed by an hour. We had been within the clear, for certain.
7:30 p.m.
I boarded the flight again to Philly, and I didn’t get blessed with an exit-row seat this time. The exhaustion of today journey is lastly setting in, and I fell asleep shortly after takeoff.
10:09 p.m.
Landing in Philly. I slept for almost all of my flight, and I used to be wanting to get residence and sleep. The three hours of sleep I received the evening earlier than was actually hitting me now.
10:45 p.m.
I’m again in my automobile within the parking zone, with a 20-minute journey residence.
11:30 p.m.
I’ve tucked myself into mattress after a loopy day of touring. Excluding the lounge go I purchased, my day journey got here out to $266. I might completely go to Clearwater once more for spring coaching, however I don’t assume I’d do it as a day journey once more — though realizing me, I’d find yourself doing it once more if the flight’s low-cost sufficient.
8.5/10 Philly expertise
(Editor’s word: The Phillies open their season in Washington, D.C., towards the Nationals, on Thursday, March 27. The house opener is Monday, March 31, at 3:05 p.m., vs. the Colorado Rockies. Right here’s the total season schedule.)