Arizona Spring Training Guide
Break out the mitts and get ready to play hooky. Throughout March, fans can enjoy Cactus League baseball spring training at stadiums across the Valley.
For fans, spring training is an opportunity to see some of baseball’s greatest players in an intimate setting. And because the stadiums are much smaller, fans have better access to the players. Before every Cactus League game, fans crowd around the dugouts and bullpens, hoping for autographs.
Heads up: Most stadiums don’t allow outside food or drink, smoking, lawn chairs or coolers of any size. They routinely ban large bags and search smaller ones for security reasons.
CAMELBACK RANCH
Teams: Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers.
Details: 10710 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. $10-$47. 623-877-8585, camelbackranchbaseball.com.
Need to know: New this year: Pedi-cabs and six-person carts provide transportation around the fields, and the section behind home plate has been nearly doubled. Ticket prices for those seats were lowered to $42 from $90. For autographs, fences around the White Sox practice diamonds have been lowered.
Eating, drinking: Chow down on a traditional Chicago Dog ($5.50) on a poppy-seed bun, with yellow mustard, neon relish, chopped onions, tomato wedges, a pickle spear, two sport peppers and a dash of celery salt. For Angelenos, it’s the Dodger Dog ($5), a foot-long wiener drizzled with yellow mustard and topped with onion.
SURPRISE STADIUM
Teams: Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers.
Details: 15960 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise. $7-$23. 623-222-2222, surprisespringtraining.com.
Need to know: You can’t pay for food and beverage with plastic. It’s cash only, so hit your bank on the way over and save the fees at the stadium’s ATM. This enormous facility features practice fields galore, ample parking and a stadium without a bad seat in the house. There’s a merry-go-round up the right-field concourse, and you can upgrade your ticket to sit in the Budweiser Home Run Party Deck, a huge tent that sits beyond right-center field.
Autographs: Get there early and hang out by the dugouts. Bring a Sharpie and something to sign.
Eating, drinking: Show team loyalty by choosing between two dueling barbecues: either the Kansas City or Texas barbecued foot-long hot dog ($8), topped with the style of K.C. or Texas. And there’s plenty of cold beer, of course.
Bottom line: The main box offices are behind center field, so when you walk in, you get a fantastic view of the stadium. A great place to spend an afternoon.
TEMPE DIABLO STADIUM
Team: Anaheim Angels.
Details: 2200 W. Alameda Drive. $6-$28, $5 parking. 480-350-5205, tempe.gov/diablo.
Need to know: Finding parking may be a pain, so think about carpooling. The setup inside keeps it simple with adequate shading. There’s no perfect spot for autographs. The best bet is to arrive early and hang out down the third- and first-base lines while the players warm up.
Eating, drinking: Hit a home run with the Tequila-Lime Chicken Skewer ($8.75), a quarter-pound of all-white breast meat, skewered and marinated in tequila-lime sauce and grilled, then served on a bed of fries. There’s also typical ballpark food.
Bottom line: Overall, it’s one of the most scenic venues for Cactus League. We like this place, especially the location. Bring sunscreen.
GOODYEAR BALLPARK
Teams: Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians.
Details: 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear.
$7-$35, $5 parking. 623-882-3120, ci.goodyear.az.us/ballpark.
Need to know: This ballpark is one of the newest. It features an Estrella Falls Kids Zone with a miniature Wiffle-ball field.
Eating, drinking: The Cincinnati Skyline Chili Dog ($4) is an all-beef hot dog slathered with Skyline’s family chili recipe, nestled on a bun with cheese, mustard and diced onions.
HOHOKAM STADIUM
Team: Chicago Cubs.
Details: 1235 N. Center St., Mesa. $8-$30, $5 parking. 480-964-4467, hohokamstadium.com.
Need to know: For autographs, get as close as you can to the fence near the dugouts. Get there an hour and a half or so before the first pitch.
Eating, drinking: Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill offers fish tacos in the right-field picnic area ($8 for two tacos and chips).
Bottom line: Most resembles a regular-season day at the ballpark.
MARYVALE STADIUM
Team: Milwaukee Brewers.
Details: 3600 N. 51st Ave.,
Phoenix. $8-$21, $6 parking. 602-245-5500, phoenix.gov/SPORTS /marystad.html.
Need to know: There’s plenty of shade, thanks to the press box and an ample awning. For autographs, go down the right-field line and wait around the gate by the clubhouse.
Eating, drinking: Every season, Maryvale Stadium flies in Klement’s sausages, including the Milwaukee-based company’s pork bratwurst. The brats ($4.25) are mesquite grilled or cooked on a roller grill, tucked into a standard bun and topped with Secret Stadium Sauce, hot sauerkraut, brown mustard, ketchup, sweet relish, onions or jalapeños. Milwaukee beer flows.
Bottom line: It’s a grand place to play hooky for the day, whether you bask in the sun on the grass ringing the outfield or hit the shady seats.
PEORIA SPORTS COMPLEX
Teams: San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners.
Details: 16101 N. 83rd Ave.
$6-$23, $5 parking. 623-773-8720, www.peoriaaz.gov/springtraining
Need to know: College students get a $2 discount on Fridays. And on Monday, March 8, fans can bring pets. Sitting on the lawn? Get in and out quickly on the eastern end of the complex. Hang out near the dugouts before first pitch for autographs.
Eating, drinking: Check out the Randy Jones BBQ area, named for the former Padres pitcher. Order a Ruthian Dog ($6), a half-pound foot-long on a standard bun topped with cheese, sauerkraut, relish and jalapeños.
Bottom line: A nice park that has a game just about every day.
PHOENIX MUNICIPAL STADIUM
Team: Oakland A’s.
Details: 5999 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $10-$25, $5 parking.
602-392-0074, phoenix.gov/SPORTS/phxmuni.html.
Need to know: A large area behind home is shaded, and the grassy picnic area has umbrellas to keep the young ones from broiling like lobsters. For autographs, hang out by the dugouts along the first- and third-base lines.
Eating, drinking: Try the pile of loaded fries: french fries smothered in chili con carne and shredded cheese. $7. As far as cereal-malt beverages go, they have the microbrews down pat. A tasty Blue Moon is perfect on a warm day.
Bottom line: We can’t stress the microbrew-beer factor strongly enough. It’s really a big selling point. Also, the bathrooms are nice, which can become a big issue.
SCOTTSDALE STADIUM
Team: San Francisco Giants.
Details: 7408 E. Osborn Road. $7-$24. 877-473-4849, scottsdaleaz.gov/stadium/springtraining.asp.
Need to know: Free public parking available in downtown Scottsdale. For autographs, get there early and hang out by the dugout. Players also can be found along the foul lines before and after games. An overhang shades seats behind home. Mature trees shade the left-field corner.
Eating, drinking: Try a mesquite-grilled chicken breast on a sesame-seed roll ($6.50). Or get a barbecued pulled-pork sandwich ($6.50). The Scottsdale Charros and Salty Señorita set up a party pavilion in right field. The $85-$125 cost includes a buffet.
Bottom line: The stadium’s proximity to Old Town Scottsdale makes it one of the best experiences in the Cactus League. The Arizona Republic
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