SARASOTA–The Orioles are beginning their 17th season in Sarasota, and this year, they’ve added a dazzling new training facility to the Ed Smith Stadium complex.
The Orioles Player Development Complex is located on a back field, and it features indoor batting cages; eight pitching mounds, which are weather-resistant; a large outdoor agility field, which is nearly as long and as wide as a football field; and a biomechanics lab.
The cages and mounds allow hitters and pitchers to work no matter the weather.
Construction of the $23 million complex began after last year’s spring training, and players used it on Monday for the first time.
“It’s been a dream for us for a few years,” Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said. “This is maybe the best indoor hitting facility in the world. The technology is available here, the space, the comfort. This is something that’s a huge advantage for us as we train and try to get our players better.”
There are four batting cages that are just under 16,000 square feet.
“Glad some of the hitters got to test it out this morning,” Elias said. “I heard rave reviews.”
Anthony Villa, the Orioles’ director of player development, said the cages provide lots of flexibility, where nets around the cages can be pulled up for infield work.
“The building’s climate controlled, which is amazing. There’s never a rainy day,” Villa said. “We’ll always be able to get our live BP’s in and plenty of activity.”
The Orioles used to have six pitching mounds. There are now eight. For the first time, fans will be able to watch pitching workouts.
“This year, one of the big priorities was to make sure that we expanded access for our fans here during spring training,” Orioles president of business operation Catie Griggs said. “Spring training is a really fun time of year. Everyone is in a good mood. It’s a season of hope and excitement, but it’s also an opportunity for our fans to get connected to our athletes, both our current stars, but also tomorrow’s stars. It’s really hard once the grind of the season gets underway.
“While we’ve created this brand-new facility for our athletes, one of the things was we wanted our fans to be even closer than they were before.”
Fans can watch workouts each day beginning on Wednesday, the first official day for pitchers and catchers. They can arrive beginning at 9. Workouts probably will begin at 9:30 or 9:45. Parking is free until games begin on February 20th.
Once games begin, fans can still watch pregame workouts for the first time, and on days that the Orioles play on the road, fans are welcome to watch.
“I think it’s the best spring training setup in the state of Florida,” Elias said.
The Orioles also use their facility for their Florida Complex League team and for rehabbing players and offseason workouts.
“Hopefully, this construction signals our long-term commitment to being here,” Elias said. “While we’re looking to bring in the best talent that we can with players, we’re also a big believer in facilities and infrastructure.”
Orioles owner David Rubenstein cut the symbolic ribbon to open the complex.
“There’s a lot going on in here in terms of investment,” Elias said.
The biomechanics lab will have 37 cameras to analyze pitching spin and hitting.
“This is the first place players will end up going after they get drafted,” assistant pitching coach Mitch Plassmeyer said. “We’ll be able to assess them from the second we get our hands on them. Every spring training we’re going to get a good glimpse of where our guys are.”
There’s also a players’ lounge that includes foosball and ping-pong tables.
“Maybe we could build a space where they could enjoy themselves while also being close to the action,” Orioles vice president of player and staff development Matt Blood said. “We wanted a very inviting and fun space.”
Orioles streaming: Oriole fans can access games on the MASN+ direct-to-consumer streaming product again in 2026.
MASN is offering its Season Pass, allowing fans to watch 20 spring training games, regular-season games that are not shown on other networks or services and minor league affiliate games.
The MASN+ Season Pass is available for $99.99 until April 23 and fans who sign up by March 22nd will receive an access code to be able to watch Orioles and other MASN content through the MLB.TV. platform.
Fans subscribing to MASN+ allows fans in the Orioles’ market to watch games with no blackouts and no cable or satellite subscription required.
To subscribe, visit MASNsports.com or through the MASN app available on iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV. MASN will continue to be available on cable and through satellite providers.
MASN+ is also available for a $19.99 monthly subscription or for $179.99 a year.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: [email protected].