Mets pay homage to Tradition in Port St. Lucie

The St. Lucie Mets aren't the only ones who call Tradition Field home. The field, located in the heart of Port St. Lucie, Fla., is also the Spring Training getaway for the New York Mets.

That's not all. Tradition Field has a special section for those creatures that literally "hang out" during the games. Located on the east side of the stadium is the St. Lucie bat house, a 160-chamber facility 14 feet off the ground that hosts between 10,000 to 15,000 bats.

The home for the nocturnal winged creatures is one of the few structures at the stadium that survived over $3 million in damage caused by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004.

As a result, Tradition Field was shut down for a year, prompting a renovation that not only repaired the damage but would improve conditions for the future. With a $10 million contract extension signed in February to remain in St. Lucie until 2018, the Mets now had the resources to make the ballpark better for fans.

One of the most beloved parts of the ballpark is the grass sitting hill, located in right field.

"The right field hill is such a big hit," St. Lucie Mets general manager Paul Taglieri said. "It's gotten a tremendous amount of great feedback from fans."

The hill draws a lot of fans during the Class A Advanced and Spring Training seasons. And now, new concessions enhance the experience further.

"It's such a great time for families up there, it's conducive to kids and parents," Taglieri said. "No one's locked down to seats ... just free to move around and sit on the ground with a blanket, nice weather and enjoy some baseball."

Down the left field line, a new party terrace allows groups to take in a game with a view unlike any other in the park.

"There are two different levels of seats that extend about three rows beyond the dugout, it puts you so close to the players," said Traer Van Allen, director of stadium operations. "It's a neat feature to have."

The ballpark is named after the small town of Tradition, located just four miles from the stadium. It has a down-home neighborhood feel with the features and amenities today's consumers crave.

"Since '88, it's been the cornerstone of the community," Taglieri said. "For 15 years, the stadium has been a drawing card for the growth of the area."

Today's Tradition Field is a balance of old and new. "I definitely liked it before but the new ballpark is just phenomenal -- the beautification process was wonderful to see," Van Allen said.

Expanded clubhouses and office spaces in the front of the park have made things better for players and club officials as well.

"It wasn't warm or welcoming, but the new developments have completely made it inviting and conducive to a good family time," Taglieri said.

Affordable ticket prices allow fans to come as often as they'd like.

"It doesn't matter who you are or how much you can or can't spend, you can afford to come here any time you want with friends or family," Van Allen said. "That's the idea we want fans to have."

Whether the fans are adults, children or even bats, catching a game from the hill at Tradition Field will be an experience any baseball lover will never forget.