Red Sox unveil 2014 Spring Training schedule
BOSTON -- As the cold winter air starts to seep into New England, a warm-weather escape has come into focus for Red Sox fans. The World Series champions unveiled their Spring Training schedule on Thursday, and the first Grapefruit League game for manager John Farrell's team will be on Feb. 28 at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla., against the Minnesota Twins.
The day before that, the Sox will host the annual college doubleheader against Northeastern and Boston College. Fans will pay just one admission fee for those two games.
In all, the Sox will play 17 games at JetBlue Park, and 31 Grapefruit League games. Tickets for all 2014 Spring Training games at JetBlue Park will be available on redsox.com, beginning on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 10 a.m. ET.
It won't take Boston long to renew acquaintances with the St. Louis Cardinals, the team it defeated in six games in the World Series. There is a trip to Jupiter, Fla., to face the Cards on March 5.
The two rivalry Grapefruit League games against the Yankees will be in the same week -- with Boston traveling to Tampa on March 18, and New York visiting Fort Myers two days later.
Per usual, the Sox will see plenty of the Twins, facing their crosstown Spring Training opponents six times in the battle for the annual Mayor's Cup.
There are five games against the Orioles and four against the Rays, two teams the Sox figure to contend with in the American League East race.
After a March 29 matchup with Minnesota, Boston will break camp and head to Baltimore, where the Red Sox's season is scheduled to open on March 31.
Eight of the 15 seating categories at JetBlue Park will increase by $2. Ticket prices will range from $5 to $48. There will be no price change for the seven seating categories priced $15 or less. This is the third Spring Training for the Red Sox at JetBlue Park.
This marks the second year in a row the Sox won't play exhibition games in a Major League city, something that used to be a tradition at the end of their spring slate.
The equipment truck departure -- always a harbinger of spring for Bostonians -- will take place on Feb. 8 from Fenway Park.
Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Fort Myers on Feb. 15, with the first official workout two days later. Position players report on Feb. 18, with the first full-squad workout set for Feb. 20. All workouts are open to the public and free of charge.
There will be an Open House at JetBlue Park on Feb. 22 that will include a celebration of the championship. That event is also open to the public and free of charge.