Guide to Spring Training in Fort Myers, Florida: Sun, Sand, Surf and Oh Yes, Baseball

The Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins were both serious contenders in last year' s road to the World Series. They return in 2007 hoping to improve on last year's record. To get things started on the right foot, first pitchers and catchers and then the entire squad for both teams will make their way to Fort Myers, Florida. The Sox and the Twins will use Fort Myers as their operating base and home town for the duration of the Grapefruit League Season. While they are in town both teams will draw local Floridians who look forward to the spring training season each year. But there will also be an influx of fans from New England and Minnesota who love the chance to get a look at this year's team in the making while soaking up some Florida sun. Both groups might benefit from a brief guide to spring training in Fort Myers, Florida.

The Boston Red Sox When Major League Baseball's Spring Training begins this year, the Boston Red Sox will head to what has become the very familiar and welcoming town of Fort Myers. Workouts and games will be held in the friendly confines of City of Palms Park with its natural grass surface and seating that can accommodate almost 7,000 fans. City of Palms Park was opened in 1992 and the Sox took up spring residency there in 1993.

While the park itself will be familiar to the Boston squad some of the faces will have changed. Missing from last years team will be Gold Glove candidate, shortstop Alex Gonzalez, 2004 World Series closer Keith Foulke and long times Sox fan favorite, Trot Nixon. New arrivals will include Julio Lugo, J. D. Drew and "Dice-K" , Chinese pitching phenomenon. Of course fans will also want to turn out to catch a glimpse of Big Poppy, David Ortiz, Captain Jason Varitek, Curt , of bloody sock fame, Schilling and of course Manny being Manny.