By Sally Tippett Rains
Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium and its staff are busy getting ready for the players and then the fans who will soon be ascending on them for 2024 Spring Training. Pitchers and Catchers are set to report on Feb 14th for St. Louis.
Fans have been wondering what the status of the stadium would be. In 2022 a big renovation plan was approved by Palm Beach County which included the demolition of the club houses to make room for more outfield seating. Plans included new group seating spaces, moving the bullpens and upgraded concessions.
After last spring training, they moved everything out of the clubhouse and plans were to demolish the building, but work was pushed back and in November, we were in Jupiter to check out the stadium and no demolition had taken place. The photo, left shows no construction at that time.
It was recently announced that the planned new buildings with locker rooms and training rooms, were being delayed, but will still happen.
That’s good news for fans who were worried about what the situation would be for Spring Training or if they would even be able to use the stadium.
“Renovation plans have changed but changes to the complex are still coming,” said Ryer Gardenswartz, spokesman for Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. “All current work is within the player development areas.”
He added that “Noticeable construction is now scheduled to begin after Spring Training” and that All Florida State League games will be at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium this season.
So for now, business is as usual. Individual tickets are on sale for all games. For the schedule and more about purchasing tickets, go to the “Spring Training” tab on STLSportsPage.com.
For fans who will be in Jupiter for an extended time, they may want to consider buying a Cardinals Mini Plan. They also have season tickets for those who will be there for a longer time as well as group packages.
A shout-out to groups like The Villages Cardinals Nation who with more than 400 members are said to be the largest Cardinals fan club outside St. Louis. They are a great group of Cardinals fans and the enjoy getting group tickets and coming to Jupiter for a game or two during the season. They rent a bus and usually get about 75 tickets. For information on group tickets, contact Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Every Saturday will be Youth Days during Spring Training. All fans ages 16 and under can purchase a $20 reserved box ticket at the ticket office
Not to be outdone by the youth, Senior Days is February 29th. All fans age 55 and older can purchase a $20 reserved box ticket to those games at the ticket office
Fans who enjoy the leisurely pace of watching the practices will be happy to know, the Backfields will be open to the public during Spring Training again. Once fans have gone to a practice they want to include it each year they go.
How to watch the practices
There is a small parking lot that is off Central. Driving down University from the Abacoa area towards Central you make a left at the round-about at Central. The next turn (left) is a small road that goes right into the parking lot.
The parking is free and safe. Guards are stationed near the parking lot going up to the “George Kissell Quad Area” and fans will be greeted and checked for security purposes. You can bring water or snacks.
Once inside the Quad practice area there are four fields, and at any given time coaches are leading the players in drills. They go from field to field and fans enjoy going from field to field also.
It can be hot and sunny so plan ahead. Fans are often heard addressing players as they walk by with “good luck” or “have a good spring.” It is at the practices on the backfields that the fans feel like they are up close and personal with the players. Many of the player are fighting for a spot or fighting to be noticed– for the right reasons– in hopes of making the team, so it’s not usually the time to get autographs.
Close up photos of the players are often taken at the practices. Most of the viewing for the practices is in the sun but there are a couple of covered bleacher areas that fans are able to go in to watch the action.
Time for the games
Games start on Saturday Feb. 24th with the Cardinals having a home game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium vs. the Marlins. An interesting thing for first-timers is both the Marlins and the Cardinals play at Roger Dean so even though it may be listed as an “away” game against the Marlins, the games between both of these teams will be played at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Parking
Paid guest parking costs $13 and is located in the Abacoa Parking Garage, located on Parkside Drive. Handicapped parking is available directly in front and along the side of the stadium with handicapped drop-off area in front of Gate B.
Note: The Homewood Suites Hotel of Palm Beach Gardens offers a free shuttle to the games. This avoids the parking, and they drop you off right in front of the stadium.
The Homewood Suites offers discounts to our readers if you call and ask for Elise Robinson and tell her you want Rob Rains’ STLSportsPage.com discount. They have a certain number of discounted rooms and some time frames are sold out of the discounts, but as of this writing there are discounted rooms available in February and first couple days in March and then after March 16th.
One reason for the rooms being sold out the first week of March is Rob Rains’ STL Sports Page Baseball Bash party and fundraiser is March 7th. It is a free event open to our readers whether staying at the hotel or not and it starts at 4 p.m. or soon after the games. Email STLSportsPage@gmail.com to attend.
Info on Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium:
Address: 4751 Main St, Jupiter, FL 33458
How to get tickets: RogerDeanChevroletStadium.com
Note about seats: Most seats are in the sun, which fans coming from cold areas appreciate, but just be prepared with a hat and sunscreen or request tickets in the top 10 rows of the stadium to have the best possibility of being in the shade.
Where Should you Go to Dinner?
There are several good restaurants in the Donald Ross Shops area next to Homewood Suites. It’s a nice stroll and you can choose the one you like. They range from an outdoor Italian restaurant to a sports bar to a pizza place.
Fun on the Water
Guanbanas-
It can be crowded so get there early.
Square Grouper-
If the other restaurants are too crowded try the Square Grouper. It’s generally not as crowded as the family crowd can’t go there– they don’t allow children. It’s on the water and you can see the Jupiter Lighthouse from your table. There are tiki torches and thatch roofs. Great Florida Atmosphere. The “Fish and Chips” features grouper and it was delicious.
Breakfast-
Juno Beach Cafe-
Hole in the Wall- but a great Florida hot spot
Dune Dogs-
Things besides baseball:
Loggerhead Turtle Sanctuary
The Pier– and the Beach- Juno Beach
Getting Spring Training Gear:
STL Sports Page Fanatics Store: STLSportsPage.com.
There are two schools of thought on the Spring Training Gear. The Fanatics page has generic Spring Training gear.
For shirts and hats with the year on it check out the Team Store at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium: RogerDeanChevroletStadium.com
What to do and Where to Stay in Jupiter:
For more on Spring Training, suggestions for hotels, restaurants and sights in Jupiter visit our Spring Training Page.
