2014 Cactus League Spring Training
Baseball is a true American pastime dating back to the mid-1800s, and along with the tradition of baseball comes the yearly start of the season with spring training.If you can’t get into the clubhouse, what better way is there to get to know your team this year than to watch them round into form this spring? You get to learn how the new rookies swing the bat, see the new pitches the veterans have added to the arsenal and how that brand new free agent is adjusting to his new team. And if you are in Arizona, Cactus League Spring Training is your ticket to be part of the action as you watch teams perfect their strategies in an effort to make it to the series.
Baseball Spring Training Schedule and Locations
Cactus League Spring Training starts around the middle to end of February, goes daily through the month of March and lasts until opening day at the beginning of April each year. Eight spring training games are played every day, typically starting around 1pm (unless otherwise noted) at one of the following ten stadiums in Arizona:- Camelback Ranch, Glendale – Home to the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers
- Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear – Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds
- Hohokam Stadium, Mesa – Chicago Cubs
- Maryvale Baseball Park, Phoenix – Milwaukee Brewers
- Peoria Sports Complex, Peoria – San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners
- Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix – Oakland Athletics
- Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Scottsdale – Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks
- Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale – San Francisco Giants
- Surprise Recreation Campus, Surprise – Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers
- Tempe Diablo Stadium, Tempe – Los Angeles Angels
What to Expect from Spring Training
Nearly 1.5 million fans attend Cactus League Spring Training in Arizona each year, generating over $350 million in tourist revenue for the state. Arizona recognizes that spring training is a big deal for its economy and caters to the fans in order to keep it that way. After all, what would spring training be without the fans?
You’ll watch rounds of practice and exhibition games that not only give long-time players a chance to warm up for the full-blown baseball season, but also for newly drafted players to try to win a spot on the roster and vie for the starting lineup.While players may set some personal and league records during spring training exhibitions, you’ll have to write them down in your own journal because they are otherwise considered “unofficial.” However, these days most teams use these stats to help determine positions and playing time for the regular season.
Make a Vacation Out of It
Since all the games start at the same time each day, you’ll have to stay for several days in order to see all of your favorite players and teams at bat. However, watching one game a day leaves many hours still available for other activities in the Phoenix area. Your best bet during Cactus League Spring Training would be to secure accommodations in a vacation rental.With sunshine gracing the Phoenix skies more than 300 days per year, you’re sure to have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors at one of the more than 200 golf courses and many hiking and biking trails in the area. Horseback riding, hot-air balloon tours and Jeep tours are also popular adventures, but if you prefer to get some time indoors there are museums, theatres and plenty of local restaurants and shopping options. See you at the ballgame!