Chris Carlson / AP

Fans can get close-up views of their stars, as these Dodgers supporters did with Manny Ramirez last spring.

7. There are few spectator events more intimate
Besides being courtside at a basketball game or in a gallery within earshot of a golfer, few opportunities present a more intimate environment than spring training. It’s a unique setting to “feel” the day in the life of a professional athlete. From early morning on any day in spring training, you can stop by any complex and watch players practice on open fields; mingle with their teammates; sign autographs and chat briefly with fans; and even pose for a quick picture.

You’ll feel the sound of a fastball as it smacks into a catcher’s mitt and the crack of the bat, giving you a renewed appreciation of the grand old game and an intimate look at the day in the life of a ballplayer. Since all spring training games are played in the equivalent of minor league ballparks, there’s really not a bad seat in the house either.

8. Affordability — it’s a buyers market, baby
Yes, airport security lines are long and inconvenient, but it’s a buyers’ market, and airlines, rental car companies, hotels and MLB teams want your business. Spring training tickets are among the most affordable in sports, with tickets from less than $10 available at virtually every ballpark, including many available the day of the game at the box office. And remember, there are no nosebleed seats here.

9. Competition and comebacks that make for great stories
One of the biggest myths of spring training is that it’s a 100 percent country club atmosphere. Yet every year a player with nearly every team will make an impression no one expected. It might be the rookie drafted in the 23rd round that wasn’t expected to make it to “The Show” or the veteran rebounding from an injury and hoping to put off retirement for just one more year. The truth is many players are competing for jobs throughout Spring Training, especially pitchers, seeking a spot in the starting rotation or the bullpen. Then there’s the battle for starting positions in the outfield, infield or for key roles of the bench as a utility player or pinch-hitter. Only 25 spots are up for grabs per team.

10. Starting in mid-spring, a chance to see every player in any organization, from blue chippers to All-Stars
Most fans know spring training as the place where MLB players get ready for the season. But when Minor League camp opens for each team by mid-spring, it’s also when the MLB future stars take the field and fans can watch their practice too and catch minor league games at no charge. Every player signed to a contract with an organization participates in some form of Spring Training. That means fans have a chance to see the 18-year-old prospect signed out of the amateur draft to the 30 something, two-time All-Star.

Joe Connor is a contributor to NBCSports.com and author of the annually-updated online spring training travel guide, “A Fan’s Guide To The Ultimate Spring Training Experience” which is available for purchase exclusively at his Web sites: http://www.modernerabaseball.com and http://www.mrsportstravel.com.

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Tony Gutierrez / AP

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