| Chain O'Lakes Park is a great example of how the setting for a spring training venue should be. Set away from the hustle and bustle of the Tampa and Orlando areas, this place just feels relaxing. There are no luxury boxes, no fancy scoreboards, and no play area for the kids. Certainly fans come here for baseball and nothing else. Yes, it may not be the most comfortable ballpark, especially with large crowds, but I don't think fans really mind. It features a large covered grandstand, which certainly came in handy on the drizzly night I attended a game. There is also a large bleacher section in right field and berm seating in left field. Concession stands are located at the top of the grandstand and in the left field corner. The variety of food options is rather limited with pretty much just the standard ballpark fare (hot dogs, pizza, pretzels, french fries) offered. Prices are about average for a spring training game. It appears that 2008 will be the last year for Chain O'Lakes Park to host Grapefruit League baseball, as the Indians are moving to Arizona for the 2009 season. With no other teams looking to move to Winter Haven, there is some question about what will become of this ballpark. Because of its age, it is unlikely to see another MLB team train here, unless some serious renovations are undertaken. Here's hoping that it remains standing and in use by someone, even if it's just amateur baseball. Chain O'Lakes Park certainly harkens back to a different era.
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