The 2024 spring training baseball season begins this week, marking Sarasota County's commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of spring training baseball. Spring Training began in Sarasota County in 1924 when Sarasota joined the Florida Grapefruit League. The first team to play a spring training baseball game in Sarasota was the New York Giants at Payne Park in the City of Sarasota. Six additional major league teams have called Sarasota County home for spring training baseball since 1924 including the Boston Red Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Chicago White Sox, the Cincinnati Reds, the Baltimore Orioles and most recently the Atlanta Braves. The Atlanta Braves and the Baltimore Orioles currently hold spring training each year in Sarasota County and were champions of their respective divisions in 2023. The Baltimore Orioles play at Ed Smith Stadium in the City of Sarasota and the Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park in North Port. Sarasota County will be recognizing the milestone 100th anniversary at two upcoming Spring Training games: CoolToday Park, Saturday, March 9, 1:05 p.m. start; Ed Smith Stadium, Wednesday, March 13, 6:05 p.m. start. Spring training continues to be an integral part of Sarasota County’s rich sports history. To learn more about the history of Spring Training in Sarasota County, call 311 or visit www.sarasotacountyparks.com.