For us Arizonans, 'tis the season for cracker jacks, hot dogs, beer and baseball because where better to have Spring Training than in our beautiful, clear skies state? And our prized Cactus League just keeps on getting better with three additional teams, two new and amazing ballparks, an extended season and added amenities for fans. Let’s play ball!
New Teams
Camelback Ranch Glendale, the brand-new $80 million ballpark in Phoenix will be packed with Chi-Towners and Cali fans as it is now home to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox — the new teams on the block. The White Sox previously trained in Tucson before the Valley relocation. The Cleveland Indians have come even further to play in their new upscale venue at Goodyear Park after 16 years of training in Winter Haven, Florida. The Indians will share Goodyear Park with the Cincinnati Reds in 2010.
New Stadiums
Camelback Ranch Glendale takes pride in now boasting the largest seating capacity in the Cactus League with more than 10,000 seats for fans, 3,000 bermed grass seating, eight full suites, four mini-suites, one press box, one suite-level party deck and a series of outfield terraces creating perfect party areas. For your visual enjoyment, the ballpark features a fish-stocked lake that separates the Dodgers and White Sox training facilities, upgraded architecture and over 5,000 beautiful plants and trees.
Goodyear Park is not just a new ballpark. The brand new state-of-the-art year-round facility will integrate a 57-acre mixed-use "ballpark village" that will include office, retail, hotel and possible residential development. Next year the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds will play ball in a 10,000-seat major league ballpark with 8,000 stadium seats, 1,500 berm seats, six suites and a 500-seat party deck. The 185-acre south site is for Spring Training practice fields and clubhouses for the Indians.
Schedule
Great news! Cactus League Spring Training 09 is kicking off a week earlier than usual and includes 245 games — 67 more than last year’s season. No excuse to not attend at least one Spring Training game. All the fun is taking place from now until April 2.
Visit www.cactusleague.com for a full schedule of Cactus League games this season.
Stadiums and Hosting Teams
Find out where your favorite teams are practicing!
Camelback Ranch – Glendale
10710 West Camelback Rd., Glendale, AZ 85037
Camelbackranchbaseball.com
Chicago White Sox
Los Angeles Dodgers
Goodyear Ballpark
1933 South Ballpark Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338
Cleveland Indians
Hi Corbett Field
3400 E Camino Campestre, Tucson AZ 85716
Colorado Rockies
Hohokam Park
1235 N Center St., Mesa AZ 85201
Chicago Cubs
Maryvale Baseball Park
3600 N.51st Ave., Phoenix AZ 85031
Milwaukee Brewers
Peoria Sports Complex
16101 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria AZ 85382
San Diego Padres
Seattle Mariners
Phoenix Municipal Stadium
5999 E Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85008
Oakland Athletics
Scottsdale Stadium
7408 E. Osborn Rd., Scottsdale AZ 85251
San Francisco Giants
Surprise Recreation Campus
15960 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise AZ 85374
Kansas City Royals
Texas Rangers
Tempe Diablo Stadium
2200 W. Alameda Dr., Tempe AZ 85282
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Tucson Electric Park
2500 E.Ajo Way, Tucson AZ 85713
Arizona Diamondbacks
Spring Training Fact
Spring Training is a crucial time for players not only because they need to get in shape for the upcoming season but also because managers base their final roster on their performance.
Spring Training and the Economy
Who needs a stimulus package, when we’ve got Spring Training to boost our city and our spirits. Whether a baseball fan or not, Valley residents can all appreciate the big bucks (more than $10 million dollars) the season brings to the city and its merchants every year. Last year, the charts broke records as 1.32 million fans attended a Cactus League game. With the additional three teams to the league, we are expected to have another record-breaking year.
World Baseball Games
Don’t miss the more than 20 World Baseball Classic exhibition games set for early March in the Cactus League ballparks, including teams from South Africa, Asia, Australia and Mexico! See the full schedule at www.cactusleague.com.
Upgrades to Scottsdale Stadium
It wouldn’t be Scottsdale without a swanky upscale venue to watch the game. The Scottsdale Stadium has opened the Charro Lodge, located adjacent to the San Francisco Giants bullpen, for a VIP, relaxed atmosphere. Charro Lodge, similar to the FBR Bird’s Nest, will be dishing out complimentary cuisine and drinks. Passes to the Charro Lodge are available for single-game groups of up to eight people or they can be purchased as individual game passes. Prices range from $75 to $100 per person. This includes your ticket into the stadium.
For the classiest of the classy, comes the tiered patio lounge in Charro Lodge, where viewers looking for the whole nine yards can enjoy free food and drinks, as well as massages and pedicures from Bliss Spa at the W Scottsdale Hotel and Residences. There are about 550 tickets available for this special spot and prices range between $75 and $125.
Tips for Fans
Through experience, most Arizonans know that hours in the sun can cause some unnecessary burns. So don’t forget to bring sunscreen, hats and sunglasses to the game!
Discounts
Don’t toss your game day tickets because on the back is a 25 percent-off coupon for more than 45 Valley businesses, including the Bliss Spa, Canal, Spa Avania at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch and Z'Tejas. Check out the game program for a full list of participants.
Hotel Packages
Stay at the all-new and spectacular W Scottsdale this season because it has partnered with the Giants to offer its guests exclusive autograph signing sessions at the resort for guests along with package deals.
Autograph Signing: March 5 & 19 at 7 p.m. and March 26 at 10 a.m.
whotels.com/scottsdaleoffers
Get in game day spirit and stay at Caleo Resort & Spa because they are offering a Play Ball package which includes deluxe patio accommodations, a basket full of baseball snacks, a bucket of beers, baseball schedule, and an area map. $275 per night. www.fireskyresort.com
Spring Training Shopping Deals
If you are in town solely for spring training of have some out of state friends here in town, enjoy a fabulous shopping spree! Scottsdale Fashion Square and The Borgata are offering a Shopping & Spring Training package where participants can show their out-of-state driver’s license to the concierge desk and receive a Shopping & Dining Incentives Book with more than $500 in savings.
If you really want to take advantage of Scottsdale’s world class shopping, experience Spree! The Art of Shopping. This customized shopping excursion provides clients with personalized retail tours, special merchandise and services, along with complimentary wine, cheese and Champagne! Price is $495 for up to four people. www.azshoppingspree.com
