Spring training brings baseball excitement and traffic to Gulf Coast

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

It's a full-count kind of weekend on the Gulf Coast as spring training officially gets underway for the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox. With baseball back in Southwest Florida, fans can expect packed ballparks and busy roadways.

The Minnesota Twins get things started Friday night at Hammond Stadium, located off Six Mile Cypress Parkway and Daniels Parkway.

They'll face the Minnesota Golden Gophers at 6:05 p.m. On Saturday at 1:05 p.m., the Twins officially open Grapefruit League play, hosting the Boston Red Sox. The team then hits the road Sunday, traveling to North Port to take on the Atlanta Braves at 1:05 p.m.

Just a few miles east on Daniels Parkway, the Boston Red Sox will begin their Spring Training schedule at JetBlue Park.

The Red Sox throw out the first pitch Friday at 1:05 p.m. against the Northeastern Huskies. They'll travel to face the Twins on Saturday before returning home Sunday to host the Toronto Blue Jays, with first pitch set for 1:05 p.m.

With multiple games scheduled across the region, drivers should plan for heavy traffic on Daniels Parkway throughout the weekend.

The Florida Department of Transportation says special signal timing will be in place to help manage congestion. Traffic enforcement officers will also be stationed near the ballparks to direct the flow of vehicles.

Spring Training games will continue in Southwest Florida through March 24.

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