Whether you’re headed to the Sunshine State to chase the Grapefruit League or the dry Arizona desert to evaluate the talent in the Cactus League, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to root, root, root for your home team during MLB spring training.

Face-to-face with the best-of-the-best

Long before opening day, teams are getting warmed up far away from the blistering cold of the cities many major leaguers call home. Both hot-shot rookies and seasoned veterans take to the field for the practice and exhibition games of spring training.

Divided evenly down the middle, half of the MLB will head to the East Coast to play in the Grapefruit League in Florida while the other 15 teams will pack their bags for Arizona to play in the Cactus League.

Spring training is the ultimate experience for any baseball enthusiast looking to fill up their autograph book or just get a preview of what’s to come in the upcoming season. Smaller stadiums and fewer crowds get you up close and personal to all the action, offering you player access that just can’t be found in the regular season.

Cactus League vs. Grapefruit League

For those heading to Arizona, you’ll get the benefit of the Cactus League’s close proximity to Phoenix, making it easier to enjoy all the city has to offer and more than your fair share of America’s game.

Stadiums hosting Grapefruit League teams, on the other hand, are a little more spread out, which means more time on the road for those hoping to take in multiple games in the Sunshine State.

No matter where your spring training travels take you, you are sure to be headed somewhere hot. So, pack the sunscreen and perhaps a visor – or a more spirited baseball cap – before you hop on the next flight out of town.

Get there and stay there

Official travel packages from the MLB are available for select teams and start at as little as $335 per person in Arizona and go up from there depending on hotel, room occupancy and duration of stay. Those flocking to Florida will pay a bit more with prices starting at $540.

Travel packages vary by team but typically cover accommodations, your choice of game tickets and a special spring training merchandise package. Unfortunately, airfare is not included, but certain packages do include car rental and exclusive meet-and-greets and events with the team.

Choose from a two-, three-, five- or seven-night stay with the option to extend your travel dates as needed.

Fun and games

Although baseball will be the name of the game on your spring training vacation, when you’re not scanning the skies for a fly ball or hunting for entries in your autograph book, make the most of your stay by hitting the local attractions during the day. Then, pack the stadium to watch America’s favorite pastime at night.

Headed to Arizona with the family? Take the little one’s for a day at the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center or the Museum of Musical Instruments and enjoy your evenings under the stadium lights.

And, nothing goes together better than beaches and baseball when you’re traveling for spring training in Florida. Depending on where you’re staying, you’re bound to be just a quick drive from the nearest beach like those of Estero Island near Hammond Stadium, spring training home of the Minnesota Twins, or those on the coast of Port St. Lucie, the New York Mets’ home away from home.

All the while, you’ll be in good company with plenty of other baseball superfans who have also flocked south for the spring.