In a way, I am sort of sad to see spring training becoming so popular.
Spring Training is the TRUE MARCH MADNESS for me personally.
The Boston Red Sox, celebrating a World Series title for the first time in 86 years, are cashing in at the spring training ticket office.</LEFT>
<LEFT>Box seats went from $16 to $24 ‹ a 50% increase ‹ at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Fla. The team also added 300 premium seats ($36 to $44) and right-field berm seating for $12. Standing room is $10.</LEFT>
<LEFT>Boston Globe writer Gordon Edes called the increase "naked greed." A team vice president, Charles Steinberg, said the team is "humbled and grateful" that the spring season sold out in 6 hours.</LEFT>
<LEFT>About the prices, Steinberg said, "We have to be careful. Our fans' investment is substantial."</LEFT>
<LEFT>The Red Sox have company in the Grapefruit League ticket business:</LEFT>
<LEFT>€ The New York Yankees, who played before sellout crowds home and away last spring, sold every home ticket in 3 hours for their games in Tampa. Spokesman Rick Cerrone said, "We have never seen anything like this." Tickets for an added game, March 15 against the Florida Marlins, were gone in 24 hours.</LEFT>
<LEFT>€ The Minnesota Twins, who train in Fort Myers, have sold 68,000 tickets compared with 49,000 a year ago and have five sellouts, three more than in 2004, spokesman Brad Ruiter said.</LEFT>
<LEFT>€ The St. Louis Cardinals and Marlins, who share Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., have seen a 13% jump in sales, stadium general manager Rob Rabenecker said.</LEFT>
<LEFT>€ The Washington Nationals sold 1,600 tickets in the first 40 minutes, spokesman John Dever said. The Nationals' first game, March 2 against the New York Mets in Viera, Fla., will be on ESPN.</LEFT>
<LEFT>
Spring Training is the TRUE MARCH MADNESS for me personally.
The Boston Red Sox, celebrating a World Series title for the first time in 86 years, are cashing in at the spring training ticket office.</LEFT>
<LEFT>Box seats went from $16 to $24 ‹ a 50% increase ‹ at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Fla. The team also added 300 premium seats ($36 to $44) and right-field berm seating for $12. Standing room is $10.</LEFT>
<LEFT>Boston Globe writer Gordon Edes called the increase "naked greed." A team vice president, Charles Steinberg, said the team is "humbled and grateful" that the spring season sold out in 6 hours.</LEFT>
<LEFT>About the prices, Steinberg said, "We have to be careful. Our fans' investment is substantial."</LEFT>
<LEFT>The Red Sox have company in the Grapefruit League ticket business:</LEFT>
<LEFT>€ The New York Yankees, who played before sellout crowds home and away last spring, sold every home ticket in 3 hours for their games in Tampa. Spokesman Rick Cerrone said, "We have never seen anything like this." Tickets for an added game, March 15 against the Florida Marlins, were gone in 24 hours.</LEFT>
<LEFT>€ The Minnesota Twins, who train in Fort Myers, have sold 68,000 tickets compared with 49,000 a year ago and have five sellouts, three more than in 2004, spokesman Brad Ruiter said.</LEFT>
<LEFT>€ The St. Louis Cardinals and Marlins, who share Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., have seen a 13% jump in sales, stadium general manager Rob Rabenecker said.</LEFT>
<LEFT>€ The Washington Nationals sold 1,600 tickets in the first 40 minutes, spokesman John Dever said. The Nationals' first game, March 2 against the New York Mets in Viera, Fla., will be on ESPN.</LEFT>
<LEFT>
