As the seasons change and the snow begins to melt, green grass begins to surface as it pushes through the salt, mud, and half-melted snow. What was once filled with gray, dreary days gives way to a clear, sunny sky, dragging many hibernating Northerners out of their dens, thrusting them outside.
With the change in weather comes a new sense of motivation for planning activities in the months to come. Growing up just minutes away from Boston, it is this weather that can only mean one thing: spring training.
The 2012 spring training season is fast approaching and the excitement of a new season--and in the case of the Red Sox, a new stadium--has driven ticket interest to higher level than ever before. The $80 million "Fenway South", complete with a replica Green Monster, is set to debut this March, and ticket demand has led to a season ticket waiting list of over 800. It's situations like these that drive us fans on a mad dash for prime seats, but have no idea where to go. But many individual game tickets are still available for purchase.
Here are the best ways to get your hands on them safely and securely:
RedSox.com - This is the safest and most secure way of purchasing tickets. 2012 ticket prices range from $5 to $46. Check out these VIP road trip packages for the biggest Red Sox fans. These packages allow you to travel along with the Sox as they visit various locations throughout spring training. This site is often the first place people use a ticket resource, and if you can't find the seats you want here, there are a few more avenues you can check out.
StubHub.com - StubHub is the "official fan to fan ticket marketplace" and has provided me the ability to choose which games I want to go to and where I want to sit, all at a fair price. This, too, is an extremely safe ticket purchasing outlet, and I highly recommend using it.
eBay.com - eBay has come a long way in its ticket reselling platform allowing the buyer many options to choose from. The first is the traditional auction method via eBay. I have scored tons of great deals here, some at a fraction of face value. Just remember to buy from a reputable dealer, target specific auctions, and bid at the last second. The second is the "buy it now" feature, which allows buyers to purchase tickets immediately without having to wait for the auction to end. Lastly, eBay has its own StubHub platform, linking you directly to its site.
Growing up as a die-hard Red Sox fan, there is nothing better than the smell of fresh cut grass in Ft. Myers. This is something every Sox fans needs to experience at least once.
