Jeff Roberson / AP

Players are much more accessible for autographs during spring training, as these Cardinals fans found out when encountering outfielder Rick Ankiel on Saturday in Jupiter, Fla.

When game-day is finally over — or perhaps the next day — take a free trip to the beach in Florida to enjoy the sunset, or visit one of a small handful of free or affordable museums like the Dunedin Historical Museum with some Blue Jays memorabilia; the Sports Immortals Museum in Boca Raton; and the Jackie Robinson Ballpark Museum in Daytona.

If you’re looking for a unique restaurant for a great meal, great baseball memorabilia on its walls and perhaps a chance encounter with a ballplayer or two on the town, check out Capogna’s Dugout in Clearwater, Fla., or Don & Charlie’s in Scottsdale, Ariz.

And in the Grand Canyon State, there are 12 teams in Metro Phoenix, so you may be in luck if you want to make Ernie Banks proud and catch two games in one day, as some teams play night games and are less than a 30-minute drive away. If not, take in a wallet-friendly college baseball game at Arizona State in Tempe, which is in metro Phoenix near the Angels spring training complex, or at the University of Arizona down in Tucson. ASU alums include Reggie Jackson, while Terry Francona and Trevor Hoffman are UA alums.

A couple more tips: Pack a windbreaker for night games in Arizona and some day games in Florida, as it can be a tad nippy and windy. For a day game, don’t forget to wear a hat or sunscreen, or you’ll look like a lobster come nightfall.

Also, if your schedule allows, try and visit spring training toward the end of March, especially if you want to see your favorite player get more than just one or two at-bats. In the first week of spring, a lot of the projected starting lineup sees limited action. But as the docket creeps closer to Opening Day, starting pitchers will go about five to six innings, and the projected starting lineup will usually take three-to-four at-bats per game.

Airlines, rental car companies, hotel chains and restaurant owners all want your business, and in this down economy, they’re offering great deals to earn it. For those with a little money to spend, 2009 may just be the best year in recent memory to visit Arizona or Florida for spring training on the cheap.

Joe Connor is a freelance writer. He’s the author of "A Fan's Guide To The Ultimate Spring Training Experience” which is available for purchase exclusively at his Web sites: www.modernerabaseball.com and www.mrsportstravel.com.

More news

Jeff Chiu / AP

Teixeira blasts Yanks past A's

Mark Teixeira hit a two-run homer and a solo shot among his career high-tying four hits to back CC Sabathia's sixth win of the year, and the New York Yankees beat the Oakland Athletics 9-2 on Saturday for their fourth straight win.

Red Sox's Valentine calls out Rays' coaches

BOSTON (AP) - Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine has called out the Tampa Bay Rays' coaching staff a day after the teams were involved in a benches-clearing scrum.

Headlines

• Label

Harper homers as Strasburg, Nats beat Braves

Fielder's 4-hit game lifts Tigers over Twins

White Sox rout Indians for 8th win in 9 games

Buehrle, Marlins stay hot, beat Giants

HBT: Victorino talks about dustup with Lee

DeMarco: Who deserves some early awards?

Yankees' Girardi craves sugar cereal

Govt. witness links medical waste to Clemens DNA