JetBlue Park Open House Kicks Off Red Sox’s Spring Training

JetBlue Park Open House 2013. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz all rights reserved.

On Sunday, February 17^th TheBoston Red Sox hosted a public open house at JetBlue Park at Fenway South, the team’s 106-acre Spring Training and Player Development Complex in Fort Myers. During the Open House fans had the opportunity to freely tour the JetBlue Park and enjoy player autographs.

Fenway South street was bustling with fans and their families enjoying the entertainment that ranged from stilt walkers and pictures with Wally the Green Monster to bounce houses and a petting zoo.

Jetblue park open house. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz all rights reserved.

My children really enjoyed visit the beautiful JetBlue Park and where specially excited to be able to walk around the playing field.  We took advantage of the discounted concessions and enjoyed a nice lunch on the tables set outside next to the bounce houses and slides.

My family enjoying the day at Jetblue Park. Photo: Debra Lynne

While we ate we watched the street filled with Red Soxs fans, sharing the in the celebratory and festive atmosphere as we listed to live music by The Garbage-Men, a high school band from Sarasota that uses only recycled trash for their instruments.

The Garbage Men high school band at JetBlue Park Open House. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz all rights reserved.

The open house kicked off a series of events and activities planned by the Boston Red Sox to give back to communities throughout Southwest Florida. The activities will continue for most of the rest of the week. On Monday the JetBlue Park will host the Eight Annual Evening with the Red Sox benefiting the Bosy & Girls Clubs of Lee County. On Tuesday and Wednesday uniformed personnel and front office staff will be volunteering at nonprofits across Southwest Florida including the Habitat for Humanity of Lee County and Big Brothers Big Sister of the Sun Coast. On Friday Members of the Boston Red Sox uniformed personnel, alumni and front office staff will participate in the 20th annual Boston Red Sox Children’s Hospital Celebrity Classic golf tournament being held at The Forest Country Club in South Fort Myers. All proceeds raised will help fund an expansion of The Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

JetBlue Park sculpture. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz all rights reserved.

Red Sox spring training practices started on February 12 and will go on until Febraury 20th.  All parctices will take place at the JetBlue Park Fenway South Player Development Complex, located at 11500 Fenway South Drive in Fort Myers. On most days, the workouts will begin at approximately 9:30 a.m. Workouts, which are free and open to the public are expected to include 27 pitchers and five catchers. Fans may enter the complex through the West Gate beginning at 9:00 a.m.  Additionally, tours of JetBlue Park are also available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and cost five dollars per person. Tickets for tours may be purchased from the JetBlue Park box office.  Concessions and merchandise will be on sale during these workouts. You can see the complete Spring Training schedule HERE.

Spring Training games begin February 21 with a college double header at 1:35 p.m. against Northeastern University followed by Boston College.

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