Spring Training Safety: How to Protect Yourself at Grapefruit League Baseball Venues

February is underway and with it comes Major League Baseball (MLB) Spring Training in and around Tampa. 

Over the next few weeks, thousands of baseball fans will come to town to catch pre-season action in the Grapefruit League.  

As more people flock to the area, increasing traffic and pedestrian activity in the areas surrounding the venues can create unexpected hazards. 

In this blog, we’ll cover:

• Common parking lot accidents
• Visitor rights
• Tips for planning a safe visit

4 Common Parking Lot Accidents to be Aware of

A combination of out-of-state visitors, excited kids, and drivers trying to find parking spots makes it a perfect storm for accidents. 

Typical parking lot accidents include:

• Minor collisions and door dings in tight spaces. 
• Slips and falls from poor lot maintenance. 
• Pedestrian injuries from distracted drivers. 
• Back-up collisions between vehicles looking for spots. 

Keep reading for helpful parking lot safety tips. 

Know Your Rights as a Visitor

The law requires spring training venues to keep safe conditions for visitors, including:

• Proper lighting in walkways and parking lots.
• Marking potential hazards with visible signage.
• Regular maintenance and upkeep of walkways.
• Security during events.
• Crowd control measures if necessary.

If you or someone you know experiences an injury during a spring training game, report it to the stadium staff immediately and file an incident report. 

Document the scene with photos and videos, jot down your side of the story, and collect the contact information of any witness. 

Reach out to our team of skilled personal injury lawyers to review your case and get the compensation you deserve. 

3 Tips for Planning a Safe Spring Training Visit

Spring training is one of the city’s greatest traditions, and our job as personal injury lawyers in Tampa is to help you safely enjoy the games. 

Here are our top three safety tips to protect yourself and those in your party:

1. Parking lot safety tips

Arriving with ample time before the game is best to avoid rushed parking. Choose a spot where you can pull through to avoid backing out later. 

Once you’ve found a parking spot, take a picture of the location. This will help you avoid walking through busy parking lots and potential hazards while distracted. 

Even if traffic is building, don’t rush. Rushing could cost you more than waiting a few extra minutes in traffic. 

While driving through a parking lot, maintain a safe speed, use your turn signals, and don’t cross an empty parking lot by driving diagonally. 

2. Be aware of pedestrian traffic. 

Spring training games attract lots of families. Because of this, watch for kids when driving, as children can suddenly dart into driving lanes. 

3. Be mindful of weather conditions. 

February weather in Florida is unpredictable. Check the weather forecast before leaving, wear sunscreen to protect your skin, stay hydrated, especially during day games, and pay close attention to wet, slippery surfaces if it rains.

Contact us today if you have any questions about stadium safety or premises liability, our team’s ready to help.