Ed Smith Stadium — Attraction in Sarasota

We loved our first time at the Stadium! We had just remembered there was a baseball team in Sarasota (although we'd bought tickets pre-Covid which were cancelled) and thought it would be fun to try going again. WE'LL BE BACK for sure!!

Easy access to parking. Quick & efficient entry. CLEAN STADIUM! Great pre-game communications (who knew there was a "Ballpark" app and I could show our parking reservation and tickets from my phone?! Very helpful facilitators throughout the stadium to give direction and answer questions, and we felt very safe.

I'm not much of a sports fan at all, but baseball is my preferred game to watch. I had NO IDEA this was a "real" team (vs the Farm Team games we've gone to before). I didn't "get" that Spring Training is like the tryouts to see which players will play in the "real" season. My favorite part of any sports game is the National Anthem and the flyover! At THIS game we had the MOST AMAZING group: The FOUR TOPS!! I do wish during the game and especially during the 7th Inning Stretch some of their hits had been played. LOVED when they ad-libbed "ain't no country like the one we got" right before "brave" at the end of the National Anthem! Class act all around - with the entire stadium: fans AND players showing respect to our flag!

I had wished for the sales dudes ("Hot dogs, peanuts, ice cold beer") walking the stands, but at the same time valued that lack of distraction. I'm not a fan of the usual "tired" music ("Charge!" - clap-clap-clap-clap-ad nauseam). It was difficult for me to see the scoreboard - perhaps digital lights would be easier for my...

I took my 83yr old grandmother to the Baltimore Orioles Stadium for a 70's themed symphony. Typically my sweet gal is mobile and getting around just fine. However, on this particular evening she was experiencing pain and was unable to walk. Upon entering the stadium the staff and volunteers noticed she was having trouble getting around and went over and beyond to make sure we were taken care of. Shelby, who is employed here walkie-talkied someone for a wheelchair and was extremely thoughtful to bring a chair over to my grandmother well we waited for it. Two Volunteers by the name of Mike and Al, then made sure we could find some wheelchair accessible seating since she would not be able to get into the bleachers where our sits were. At the end, Mike, AL, and a women employed by the name of Judy were overly accommodating to make sure we got out of the busy stadium with pose. Judy even had jokes the entire way out to the car. I truly believe this group of individuals should be given a pat on the back and be recognized for their efforts to make this night special for us, especially with how busy it was. Thank you all for all your efforts, it was much appreciated and should not...

We’ve been attending Spring Training games at Ed Smith Stadium for about 20 years. Friends and family have enjoyed this time over and over. I took my now married son to the season opener today and with only 25% capacity allowed because of Covid 19 there were a lot less fans there. Masks were required which we complied with. It was 82 degrees and once we found our seats the mask police (Ed Smith staff/security) starting hovering and one slip of the mask they were there to make sure your mask was up. Mind you we are OUTDOORS and SOCIALLY DISTANCED as well. Fans started arguing with the staff and then pointing out others who weren’t wearing their masks properly and they got the visit. This went on for the entire game (we left in the 7th inning). Fans around us were leaving in the 3rd and 4th inning and we went to stand on the upper platform to get fresh air. The staff up there then told us we had to go back to our seats! Miserable experience. Lighten up especially outside. If you’re still terrified stay home or wear your mask, but don’t hover over those of us who couldn’t wait to spend some time with family and friends at an outdoor event and scold us like...