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Spring Training Baseball With the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins

Program Number: 14582RJ
Start and End Dates:
3/10/2013 - 3/15/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Fort Myers, Florida
Price starting at: $967.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Baseball Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 9; 5 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Experience and explore America’s pastime and the rich legacy of the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins in sunny Fort Myers, Florida. These perennial American League powers have totaled four World Series championships in the last 24 years. Explore Red Sox history — Ted Williams, Carlton Fisk’s 1975 home run and the 2004 miracle title that ended the 86-year Curse of the Bambino. Revisit the Twin’s 1960 move to the Twin Cities, Kent Hrbek’s 1987 World Series grand slam and the arrival of $25 million man Joe Mauer. Don’t forget your mitt and autograph book!




Highlights

• Attend up to four practice games with a chance to see your favorite Red Sox or Twins players.
• Meet with baseball experts, retired players and umpires as you discuss the rules, regulations, heroes and legends.
• Explore baseball’s diverse history as you learn about the former Negro League.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to five blocks; stairs at the stadiums.



Coordinated by Senior Friendship Centers, Inc.




Fort Myers

The city of Fort Myers boasts beautiful beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, but it is more than a seaside resort. It is the site of a Civil War battle and was chosen by both Thomas Edison and Henry Ford as a location for winter estates. In late winter, Fort Myers welcomes baseball’s Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox, who hold spring training here.
Accommodations
All suites have two rooms, upgraded hotel with outdoor pool.
Meals and Lodgings
   Homewood Suites by Hilton, Fort Myers, FL
  Fort Myers, FL 5 nights
 Homewood Suites by Hilton, Fort Myers, FL
Type: Three-Star Hotel
  Description: The Homewood Suites by Hilton® Fort Myers Airport/FGCU hotel in Florida is ideally located just one mile from Southwest Florida International Airport. Our Fort Myers suites hotel is also adjacent to Gulf Coast Town Center Mall and minutes from Florida Gulf Coast University. For added convenience, complimentary transportation is provided to and from SW Florida International Airport (RSW). Shuttle will also take you anywhere within five miles of the hotel. You'll also enjoy premium mattresses, your choice of down or synthetic pillows and soft blankets. Even more comforting, our designer duvet covers are landered fresh for every stay.
  Contact info: 16450 Corporate Commerce Way
Fort Myers, FL 33913 USA
phone: 239-210-7300
web: www.homewoodsuites.com
  Room amenities: Guests can enjoy spacious studio, one-bedroom suites, with a fully equipped kitchen and convenient amenities such as complimentary high-speed internet, two televisions with premium cable with HBO and movie player.
  Facility amenities: Guests can enjoy spacious studio, one-bedroom suites, with a fully equipped kitchen and convenient amenities such as complimentary high-speed internet, premium cable with HBO and movie player. A heated outdoor swimming pool is available for your enjoyment. Stay at the Homewood Suites by Hilton® Fort Myers Airport/FGCU hotel and enjoy a free hot full breakfast seven days a week and evening dinner and drinks*, Monday through Thursday. (Hotel overnight guests only.)
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: All discounted rooms are taken (Please note all discounted extra nights held for our group have been used.) Please make reservations as soon as possible as this hotel fills up quickly during season, but there will not be any discounted rooms. Please call Homewood Suites by Hilton at 239-210-7300, please let them know you are with Road Scholar so you can keep the same room before or after the program if you are booking extra nights.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: All discounted rooms are taken (Please note all discounted extra nights held for our group have been used.) Please make reservations as soon as possible as this hotel fills up quickly during season, but there will not be any discounted rooms. Please call Homewood Suites by Hilton at 239-210-7300, please let them know you are with Road Scholar so you can keep the same room before or after the program if you are booking extra nights.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3:30-4:45pm in the hotel lobby room for registration. You will be staying at Homewood Suites by Hilton, Fort Myers, FL that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends at 10:30am followed by a box lunch. You will be staying at Homewood Suites by Hilton, Fort Myers, FL the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Free parking for the length of the program.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Fort Myers, FL
  Nearest city or town:  Fort Myers, FL 33901
  Nearest highway: I-75
  Nearest airport:  South West Florida International Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Fort Myers, FL
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Fort Myers, FL

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
Homewood Suites
phone: 239-210-7300

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Complimentary
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

15 min. estimate 
 

Distance:

 

1 mile south
   

Please call the Homewood Suites upon your arrival at the Southwest Florida International Airport RSW at 239-210-7300. The complimentary shuttle picks up every half an hour and they have two shuttles. (The Hilton Garden Inn also shares the same shuttle.) Hours of shuttle are 4:30am until 2:00am daily.
 
Driving Directions
  From I-75 Fort Myers, Florida From I-75: Take exit 128 east for one block. Turn left on Interstate Commerce. Turn right and you have arrived.
  SW Florida International Airport, Fort Myers, Florida From South West Florida International Airport, Fort Myers. Exit airport and turn left on Treeline-Ben Hill Griffin Parkway. Travel south one mile. Turn right on Hilton Garden Inn Way. Turn left on Corporate Commerce. Way. Hotel on the right.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Registration/Orientation
(Sunday, March 10)
   
 Arrive To: REGISTRATION: With Road Scholar is between 3:30 to 4:45pm. HOTEL CHECK-IN: Starts at 4:00pm, room may be ready earlier.
 Afternoon: ORIENTATION: At 5:00pm Orientation of the week starts.
 Dinner: Dinner is catered by restaurant at the hotel. Forms are sent out in advance to see if participants are vegetarian.
 Evening: GETTING TO KNOW YOU: After dinner there is a getting to know you session for participants to become better acquainted.
   
Accommodations: Homewood Suites by Hilton, Fort Myers, FL
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Morning presentations, Spring Training baseball game Minnesota Twins @ Tampa Bay Rays @Port Charlotte Stadium.
(Monday, March 11)

Note: Must be able to walk from distant parking lot to and from the stadium, plus be able to climb stairs at the baseball stadium.
   
 Breakfast: An enhanced continental breakfast is available.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Enjoy a lecture by a retired umpire.

Break

PRESENTATION: Expand your knowledge of scouting with a retired scout.

 Lunch: Students will purchase their own lunch at the hotel next door or area restaurant.
 Afternoon: Class or baseball video.
 Dinner: Dinner will be at the baseball game. MVP meal package of outdoor barbeque.
 Evening: Attend an evening baseball game with the Minnesota Twins at the Tampa Bay Rays spring training complex in Port Charlotee. (Bring a warm jacket it can be cold at night.)
   
Accommodations: Homewood Suites by Hilton, Fort Myers, FL
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Morning presentations, Spring Training baseball game: Toronto Blue Jays @ Boston Red Sox
(Tuesday, March 12)

Note: Must be able to walk from distant parking lot to and from the stadium, plus be able to climb stairs at the baseball stadium.
   
 Breakfast: An enhanced continental breakfast is available.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Hear about the history of the Negro League.

Break

PRESENTATION: Learn how to keep score in Major League Baseball.

 Lunch: Students will purchase their own lunch at the game or area restaurant close to the stadium.
 Afternoon: Attend a spring training game featuring a home game with the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park in Ft Myers. The Toronto Blue Jays will be playing the Red Sox at 1:35pm.
 Dinner: Dinner will be on your own at a local restaurant in Ft Myers or the free dinner provided by the Homewood Suites.
 Evening: Watch a baseball DVD.
   
Accommodations: Homewood Suites by Hilton, Fort Myers, FL
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Morning presentations, Spring Training night baseball game: Baltimore Orioles @ Minnesota Twins.
(Wednesday, March 13)

Note: Must be able to walk from distant parking lot to and from the stadium, plus be able to climb stairs at the baseball stadium.
   
 Breakfast: An enhanced continental breakfast is available.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Attend a spring training practice session.
 Lunch: Lunch will be on your own area restaurants
 Afternoon: Afternoon class.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own at game.
 Evening: Watch a Spring Training baseball game featuring, the Baltimore Orioles at the Minnesota Twins, Hammond Stadium at 7:25pm, for a deeper understanding of the sport.
   
Accommodations: Homewood Suites by Hilton, Fort Myers, FL
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: Morning presentations, Spring Training baseball game Boston Red Sox @Minnesota Twins.
(Thursday, March 14)

Note: Must be able to walk from distant parking lot to and from the stadium, plus be able to climb stairs at the baseball stadium.
   
 Breakfast: An enhanced continental breakfast is available.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Sports announcer from the Boston Red Sox will share the excitement from his career.

Break

PRESENTATION: A retired player will fill you in on his baseball years.

 Lunch: Students will purchase their own lunch at the ballpark or restaurant close to the stadium.
 Afternoon: Spring Training baseball game featuring the Boston Red Sox at Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium.
 Dinner: Dinner will be at the hotel.
 Evening: HANDS ON EXPERIENCE: Play baseball trivia and put your new knowledge to the test.
   
Accommodations: Homewood Suites by Hilton, Fort Myers, FL
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Morning presentation.
(Friday, March 15)
   
 Breakfast: An enhanced continental breakfast is available.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: One lecture on baseball as you wrap up your week.
 Lunch: A box lunch is offered on the last day to allow students who need to catch an early flight to take their lunch with them. Students who do not need to leave can enjoy their lunch in the breakfast room or on the patio by the pool. Program ends after lunch.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Fort Myers, FL Fort Myers activities
Fort Myers is known as the Spring Training homes of Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins. The area has a plethora of activities: Edison & Ford Winter Estates and Museum, Shell Factory, Sanibel Island and many other well known beaches, outlet shopping is nearby too. The area also offers several high quality beaches, boat rentals, water skiing, canoeing and kayaking and hiking in local state parks.
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


As They See 'Em: A Fan's Travels in the Land of Umpires


Author: Bruce Weber


Baseball Field Guide: An In-Depth Illustrated Guide to the Complete Rules of Baseball


Author: Dan Formosa


Driving Mr. Yogi: Yogi Berra, Ron Guidry and Baseball's Greatest Gift


Author: Harvey Araton


Only the Ball Was White: A History of Legendary Black Players and All-Black Professional Teams


Author: Robert Peterson


Watching Baseball Smarter: A Professional Fan's Guide for Beginners, Semi-experts and Deeply Serious Geeks


Author: Zack Hample




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