Tradition Field -- Port St. Lucie

Last spring, the Mets' Florida home Tradition Field earned my personal MIP Award -- Most Improved Park. Our 2007 visit came for an evening game just after daylight savings time began. Batting practice time for the visiting Orioles.
The late day sun mixing with the stadium lights... and a nice view of the berm, the hill beyond the right field fence that serves as a grapefruit league variation on bleacher seats.
Top of the 1st inning, the Orioles bat first.

When did ballpark names or club logos start being chalked into the area just behind home plate? The Yankees did it, then the Mets adopted the practice, first at Shea and now in Port St. Lucie.

The power stroke of Mets 3rd baseman David Wright.
More and more common every March -- Grapefruit League action under the lights.

Renovated and upgraded from its previous life as Thomas J. White Stadium, the ballpark is now color-splashed and far more inviting. Having a contending club as the tenant doesn't hurt, either.

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