Fans pack TD Ballpark in Dunedin for Toronto Blue Jays vs. Minnesota Twins (Diane Egner) TD Ballpark in Duedin is spring training home of Toronto Blue Jays (Diane Egner)

The annual rite of March, Major League Baseball spring training, is in full swing around the Tampa Bay area. The Florida Grapefruit League schedule runs through March 24th.

The greater Tampa Bay area has the New York Yankees (Tampa), Philadelphia Phillies (Clearwater), Toronto Blue Jays (Dunedin), Pittsburgh Pirates (Bradenton), Atlanta Braves (North Port), Baltimore Orioles (Sarasota), Tampa Bay Rays (Port Charlotte), and Detroit Tigers (Lakeland).

The Florida Grapefruit League estimates the annual statewide economic impact of spring training is in the range of $680 million to $687 million. In combination with spring break, it’s a major driver of tourism and generates significant tourism development tax revenues for Bay Area counties.