The Washington Nationals released their 2011 spring training schedule yesterday on the first official day of MLB off-season. Many Nats fans happily welcomed the news, more than a month earlier than last year.
Notables: No Orioles. The O's moved to Sarasota last year, which is on the gulf coast in what would be the worst possible commute for a spring training game. There are 15 home games at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Florida. The Nats will host the New York Yankees for the first time on March 12. Nats start and end spring training against the New York Mets. There are two night games in Viera -- Friday, March 11 hosting the Houston Astros and Friday, March 25 hosting the St. Louis Cardinals.
Spring Training season tickets go on sale November 22 at 10 a.m. online at nationals.com or by calling 321-633-9200. Individual game tickets will be available starting January 29, 2011 at 10 a.m. online at nationals.com, at the Space Coast Stadium Box Office or by calling 1-888-632-NATS (6287).
It is time to pull out your 2011 calendar and start planning! If you're making plans for a first trip or would like tips on spring training in Viera, check out our GUIDE. It probably needs to be updated since it was done in 2009, but is a great start. We're also happy to answer any questions you may have about Grapefruit League. Happy off-season!
WASHINGTON NATIONALS 2011 GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE SCHEDULE
**HOME Games in CAPS.
DATE DAY OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
February 28 Monday New York Mets St. Lucie, FL 1:10 p.m.
March 1 Tuesday NEW YORK METS VIERA, FL 1:05 p.m.
March 2 Wednesday FLORIDA MARLINS VIERA, FL 1:05 p.m.
March 3 Thursday St. Louis Cardinals Jupiter, FL TBD
March 4 Friday ATLANTA BRAVES VIERA, FL 1:05 p.m.
March 5 Saturday New York Yankees Tampa, FL TBD
March 6 Sunday ATLANTA BRAVES VIERA, FL 1:05 p.m.
March 7 Monday HOUSTON ASTROS VIERA, FL 1:05 p.m.
March 8 Tuesday New York Mets St. Lucie, FL 1:10 p.m.
March 9 Wednesday Florida Marlins Jupiter, FL TBD
March 10 Thursday NEW YORK METS VIERA, FL 1:05 p.m.
Houston Astros Kissimmee, FL TBD
March 11 Friday HOUSTON ASTROS VIERA, FL 6:05 p.m.
March 12 Saturday NEW YORK YANKEES VIERA, FL 1:05 p.m.
March 13 Sunday Florida Marlins Jupiter, FL TBD
March 14 Monday DETROIT TIGERS VIERA, FL 1:05 p.m.
March 15 Tuesday New York Mets St. Lucie, FL 1:10 p.m.
March 16 Wednesday Houston Astros Kissimmee, FL TBD
March 17 Thursday Atlanta Braves Orlando, FL 6:05 p.m.
March 18 Friday ST. LOUIS CARDINALS VIERA, FL 1:05 p.m.
March 19 Saturday New York Mets St. Lucie, FL 1:10 p.m.
March 20 Sunday DETROIT TIGERS VIERA, FL 1:05 p.m.
March 21 Monday St. Louis Cardinals Jupiter, FL TBD
March 22 Tuesday HOUSTON ASTROS VIERA, FL 1:05 p.m.
March 23 Wednesday *** OFF DAY ***
March 24 Thursday Detroit Tigers Lakeland, FL 6:05 p.m.
March 25 Friday ST. LOUIS CARDINALS VIERA, FL 6:05 p.m.
March 26 Saturday Houston Astros Kissimmee, FL TBD
March 27 Sunday FLORIDA MARLINS VIERA, FL 1:05 p.m.
March 28 Monday Atlanta Braves Orlando, FL 6:05 p.m.
March 29 Tuesday NEW YORK METS VIERA, FL 12:05 p.m.
Home games in BOLD CAPS – schedule subject to change
You can also get tips on the Nationals Spring Training at www.springtrainingtips.com