| Osceola County Stadium was one of the older spring training parks when I first visited in 2011, but also one of the most intimate. This was especially apparent after attending a game here the night after visiting Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. With a capacity just over 5,000, every seat was quite close to the action, particularly the field-level box seats.
Located in Heritage Park, the ballpark sat near an arena and other practice fields. Unfortunately, for most fans, getting there required navigating a busy stretch of road. Once inside, though, the stadium had a laid-back atmosphere that suited the spring training experience well.
Built in the 1980s and renovated in 2003, Osceola County Stadium lacked some of the amenities of newer parks, but that didn’t matter much to fans who simply wanted to watch baseball. Seating consisted entirely of fold-down chairs—there were no bleachers or berms. A roof covered most of the upper-level seating, which was surely appreciated during warm March days (though my experience was during a rather frigid night game).
The concourse, located behind the seating bowl and out of view from the field, was uncovered and somewhat narrow. Despite that, it never felt overly crowded, proving sufficient for the typical Astros spring training crowd. Several concession stands offered an impressive variety of food—gourmet hot dogs (Texas, Fenway, Dodger, Chicago, and Cincinnati styles), fresh Mexican dishes, boiled peanuts, chicken pitas, and the ever-popular “chicken on a stick.” Prices were fairly reasonable compared to other spring training venues.
For fans hoping to get close to the players, this was one of the best spring training ballparks. Large “autograph alleys” down each foul line allowed fans to catch players leaving the clubhouse and overlook the bullpens. The team played minor league-style sound effects, but overall, the experience remained fairly pure. Ushers were present but generally unobtrusive.
While some viewed Osceola County Stadium as bland or generic, I found it to be a refreshing alternative to the increasingly modernized spring training venues. Sure, it could have benefited from amenities like a walkaround concourse or a grassy berm in the outfield, but overall, it delivered the kind of atmosphere a spring training park should.
Unfortunately, the Astros moved their spring training home to West Palm Beach in 2017, following the trend of teams seeking newer facilities. From 2017 to 2019, the stadium remained active as the temporary home of a Florida State League team. However, professional baseball at the ballpark came to an end after that.
Today, Osceola County Stadium has been converted into a soccer-only venue, marking the end of its run as a baseball destination.
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