Are you a baseball fan moving to the Tampa Bay area?
If so, get ready to enjoy a city with lots of teams to root for. Tampa is home to both amateur and professional baseball teams, so you are likely to get your fill of this all American sport!
With five stadiums within a 50-mile radius, that’s a lot of baseball to choose from. In fact, the Minor League Baseball corporate offices are in St. Petersburg!
Tampa Minor League Baseball: 5 Teams That Play in the Area
With great weather year-round, Tampa is the ideal place for baseball – from spring training through the height of the season.
Check out some of the Minor League teams that play in the Florida State League.
1. The Tampa Tarpons
The Tampa Tarpons, an affiliate of the New York Yankees, was established in 1994 as the “Tampa Yankees.” In 2018 they adopted the new name “Tampa Tarpons.”
Over the years, they have won numerous games, including the FSL title in 2010. More recently in 2017, they reached the semi-finals, though they ultimately lost to the Dunedin Blue Jays.
They play home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field, which is where the New York Yankees train during the spring.
2. The Dunedin Blue Jays
The Dunedin Blue Jays have been part of Minor League Baseball since 1978. Since then, they have won a handful of division championships—the most recent in 2017.
An affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, they play at Dunedin Stadium, a baseball field that holds more than 5,500 people.
It’s worth noting that many of their previous players have made it to the MLB including Roy Halladay, Shawn Green, and Pat Hentgen.
3. The Clearwater Threshers
The Clearwater Threshers have been competing in the North Division since 2009. Affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies, the team is known for their mascot—Phinley the Shark.
Based in Clearwater, which is northwest of Tampa, the Threshers play their home games at Spectrum Field. So far, they have won two league titles and three division titles.
4. The Bradenton Marauders
The Bradenton Marauders is a relatively new team, having played their first game in 2010. Since then, they’ve established quite a fanbase—many people travel to watch their home games at LECOM Park every year.
In 2016, they successfully defeated the Tampa Tarpons (then the Tampa Yankees) for their first FSL title.
5. Lakeland Flying Tigers
The Lakeland Flying Tigers is based in Lakeland, a city just east of Tampa. They are the minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, and home games are played at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
In 2012, the team won their first FSL title in two decades after defeating the Jupiter Hammerheads.
The Minor League Baseball Scene
These Florida minor league games are generally reasonably priced, family-friendly, and include special events and activities for the kids.
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