I am going to be down in Florida in a couple of weeks and am thinking of dropping by a couple of early spring training workouts. I was wondering if anyone who has attended can fill me in on their experience. For example, how crowded are the first couple of weeks, how close can you get to the workouts, is there a cost involved, typical time of the workouts/practice sessions...etc...

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

I have been going to spring training the last 8 years. If a baseball fan, it is a great experience. The best time to go is the last two weeks of March. This is when the starters actually play more than two innings. If you go early on, the chances of seeing minor leaguers is great. The good part about Fla. spring training is that you can see multiple teams. For example, you can see the Marlins, Dodgers and Mets since they are all within on hour of each other.
The best aspect of this are the workouts. You get as close as you would to a little league game. It is a great experience if you have kids. The players are all at ease and on the most part cordial. Workouts vary throughout the day, but mornings are usually when they are most viewable.
Not a Dodger fan, but Dodgertown is like a high school field. You are right there for all the action. Most games sell out, but it is so easy to scalp tix and only for a couple bucks more.
Mets have a bigger stadium and don't sell out as quick. Dodgertown is an expereince and you can get real close.
Do your homework and plan your trip to games. The first few weeks are not as crazy as the last two so it should not be that bad, but you still need to be organized with game schedule and times. Usually two hours before a game you can see some really close up workouts of players who are not playing in that specific game. Autographs are alot easier, just be gracious. No charge for watching workouts, maybe just parking.
Spring training schedule can be found on the teams home page.
It is a great time and going back again this year for year #9.

I hear they've been selling out spring training game tickets pretty fast this year. As for the workouts, you might be able to get pretty close if you get there early enough.

I can give you the Arizona viewpoint on Spring Training - not sure how different things are in Florida with the travel.

I think that when you go to Spring Training games depends on what you're going for. If you're looking for autographs, I think that the first week of games is great. Granted, you might miss a player or two (though I'd say that's the case throughout Spring Training), but the stars generally leave the game after about three innings, and if you know where to go at each ballpark, you can generally good position as they leave the park.

I've typically followed the 1-2 inning rule. 1-2 innings after they leave the game, expect them to leave the ballpark. Obviously that can be different with a road team (if it's a long trip I'd position myself out by the outfield warning track, where the players'll be running sprints).

With regards to workouts, they're generally free and in Arizona at least, they do them in the morning. Also, keep an eye out for an intrasquad game at your team's home park right before games start. I went to a Cubs one a couple years ago and it was fantastic. It was free and I was able to sit right behind their dugout and snap some terrific pictures.

You need to buy tix for a spring trainning game. you'll get to see your favorite players up close The dodgers go to Veral beach for spring trinning every year.