Excitement is in the air at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, where Mets workouts – free and open to the public – are already underway in advance of Spring Training’s Feb. 21 opening day.
A new feature this year allows Mets fans access to the stadium to watch portions of practices that take place inside. The Corona Beach House concession and Cutwater Corner area will be open as well.
Open workouts begin at 9:30 daily, and end when the players leave the field. Fans can still watch open workouts until 10:45 a.m. after official games begin, but there will be a fee for parking.
“The beauty of Spring Training is the opportunity to see the team before the season begins. It’s a unique opportunity for fans to see the players,” said Traer Van Allen, vice president of Florida operations for the Mets.
Opening day festivities begin at 8 a.m. on Feb. 21 with a Swing into Spring Training 5K. The course begins near the Clover Park main gate, continues out along Peacock and California boulevards, then winds through the practice fields, ending at home plate in the stadium.
Then at 1:10, the Mets take the field against the Miami Marlins.
“Spring Training, it’s the opportunity that this complex gets to be used to the fullest,” Van Allen said. And that includes some new food options, in addition to the classic hot dogs and hamburgers.
Another highlight: Clover Park will host two World Baseball Classic exhibition games. The New York Mets play Nicaragua on March 3 and Israel on March 4. Eight Mets players are competing in the World Baseball Classic this year, including Mark Vientos, who will play for Nicaragua.
“It’s cool that we’ll get a little taste of that here in Port St. Lucie,” Van Allen said.
The final home Spring Training game is against the Houston Astros on March 21, but Clover Park will continue to bustle with the start of the St. Lucie Mets season. Their first home game is scheduled for April 7.
In addition to enjoying the baseball, Van Allen said one of the unique charms of attending minor league games is the chance to see young players at the beginning of their professional journey, some of whom may become major league stars.
With the start of the minor league games comes the beginning of the Silver Sluggers Club, open to fans who are 55 and over. All Tuesday home games are covered in the $60-per-person “Silver Package,” which include a free hot dog, free parking and a T-shirt, among other things.
“It’s the epitome of what we’re trying to promote,” Van Allen said.
Tuesdays draw around 1,000 fans who socialize and enjoy the games. Other St. Lucie Mets home games feature a variety of events such as a pop culture night or an evening highlighting a local nonprofit. And fireworks happen often.
“Every day of the week offers something different.”