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Daycations: A Date with the Boys of Summer – Spring Training
By Jude Kenna
Baseball fans everywhere are anxiously counting down the days until they hear “Play ball!”–words that mark Major League Baseball’s opening day. But with the first week in April seeming far away, true fans know how to get their baseball fix on early. Yes, come February the boys of summer will be gearing up for the official season during spring training and everyone’s invited. Watching as old pros, new recruits and prospective players get back to fundamentals, play exhibition games and practice at bat is only part of the fun. The real joy for uber fans is that spring training allows for a familiarity that just doesn’t happen during the regular season. In fact, it’s not uncommon for coaches and players to stand along the base paths, chat with fans and sign autographs.
For those wishing to partake in all this pre-season excitement, a trip to Arizona for the state’s Cactus League Spring Training will surely be a grand slam. Just about a 5 hour drive away, Arizona is home to 11 fan friendly stadiums in Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise and Tempe that host Cactus League Spring Training with 15 Major League Baseball teams. Take on one or several of these ballparks for some nachos, hot dogs, and singing that song, you know, “Take me out to the ball game. Take me out with the crowd.”
Field of Dreams
Spring training is not just an insignificant preamble to Major League Baseball games; it’s where big league dreams are made and broken. At the start, about 60 players arrive to try out for roster and position spots. Pitchers and catchers benefit from a longer training period and will report between February 13th and 15th. The position players arrive about a week later. Dedicated fans find spring training the perfect time to start following the younger players–those that may get called up to the big leagues in a few years, but now just practice with the team. Team competitive play begins February 25th and ends March 30th. Once opening day commences, the roster dwindles to 25 players.
Game On
The 2011 season offers 215 afternoon games and 23 evening ones at stadiums located in Phoenix’s West and East Valleys. The longest drive is 47 miles between Surprise and Mesa, with the shortest at four miles from Phoenix to Scottsdale. Mapping out your game strategy is easy at www.cactusleague.com with its interactive trip planner, detailed map and links to each team site to purchase tickets and review stadium stats. Here are just a few must-see games and stadiums to whet your appetite.
Who’s on First
Mark your calendars. The first game of the season on February 25th pits the world champion Giants against the home state Diamondbacks. The game debuts the league’s newest venue, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. The $100 million project is the first spring training facility built on Native American land in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and boasts 12 full-size practice fields.
Cubs vs. White Sox at Camelback Ranch
Always one of the hottest tickets, the Cubs and White Sox match up on March 11th at Camelback Ranch in Glendale and March 24th at Hohokam Park in north central Mesa. A must-see ballpark, Camelback Ranch sits on 141 acres featuring picturesque walking trails to the 13 practice fields, an orange grove, water features and a fully stocked lake to delight fans. There, you can catch a Dodgers intra-squad game on March 3rd, or a game against their rivals, the Giants, on March 4th.
Athletics Take on Reds
Looking for a stadium with traditional baseball charm? Then catch a game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The Oakland Athletics now call it home, but it was Willie Mayes who christened the park with the first home run. On March 1st the Athletics will take on the Cincinnati Reds, who will play with a split-squad; the other half will take on the Angels the same day at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
For a complete listing of games and stadiums, visit the Cactus League website. Grab a blanket and sit in the grass behind the outfield for a casual viewing experience. Tickets start at $6 pending your team; each offers various pricing structures. For premium games and seating, expect to pay around $40 plus. Parking runs about $5.
Live, Eat and Breathe Baseball
So, what do you do when you’re not rooting for the home team? As home to the Cactus League, there is no shortage of ways to soak up a ton of extracurricular baseball fun in and around Phoenix.
Take a Tour
Tours of spring training ballparks, although not unheard of, are not highly publicized. Your best bet is to call the individual stadiums to see if tours are offered. A sure bet is to head to downtown Phoenix for a tour of Major League Baseball’s Chase Field, home of the Diamondbacks. Remember to bring your camera to capture the bells and whistles, from its signature swimming pool in right center field to its retractable roof. For tour information, call their hotline at (800) 821-7160.
Visit the Ghosts of Baseball’s Past
Baseball fans and history buffs shouldn’t miss Play Ball! The Cactus League Experience, which chronicles the 100-year history of Major League Baseball spring training in Arizona. The exhibit reveals stories of legendary players like Ty Cobb, who once soothed his old spring training aches and pains at Buckhorn Baths mineral spas in Mesa. Check out never-before-seen items gathered from private collections, including a rare autographed Ernie Banks little league bat. Catch the exhibit at Arizona Museum for Youth in Mesa or Arizona Historical Society in Tempe. Admission, hours and directions can be found at www.playballexperience.com.
Eat Where They Eat
A true spring training experience must include a visit to Don & Charlie’s, a rib, steak and chophouse in Scottsdale. This noted hangout for ball players and coaches almost guarantees a sighting any night. Plus, the restaurant is filled with an impressive collection of memorabilia. Visit www.donandcharlies.com for more info.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
If games keep you in the West Valley area, then check out Westgate City Center in Glendale. The entertainment complex has shopping, dining, and is even the home of the Phoenix Coyotes national hockey team. While the mission is taking in the ball games, if you have the energy for the ice, you can catch one of the eight home hockey games in March.
Sweet Baseball Dreams
Phoenix’s metropolitan area has hotels to suit every taste and pocketbook, and where you stay depends on the experience you want to have. Are you looking to eat, sleep and drink baseball? Then you will probably want to stay within a few miles of your team’s designated ballpark. Standard chain hotels are located within a mile or two of all the ballparks; a listing can be found at www.baseball.worldsbestdeals.com/spring_training/.
If you want a resort or boutique experience, Scottsdale’s happening nightlife and hotel scene is a homerun. Kimpton’s FireSky Resort & Spa is located a mere 10 minutes from the home stadiums of the Giants, Rockies and Diamondbacks. As a bonus, it has easy freeway access to eight other stadiums. The Play Ball Spring Training package starts at $179 and includes a bucket of beer and basket of baseball snacks. The rate code for this promotion is PBAS; visit www.fireskyresort.com to reserve your stay.
Set the tradition, get hooked and create memories at spring training! The classic baseball tune sums it up for millions of fans who descend upon Arizona’s spring training with one common bond: “Let me root, root, root for the home team. If they don”t win it”s a shame. For it”s one, two, three strikes, you”re out, at the old ball game.
Baseball in the valley…awesome!
It’s fun to watch a WHOLE franchise (single A to the major leaguers) practive together before the games – and a great time for autographs. Great article 🙂