When spring time rolls around and Arizona weather is at its best, 12 Major League teams arrive in Arizona to partake in 31 days of Spring Training baseball.
For 60 years, Arizona has been home to various baseball teams as they prepare for the coming season. Across the valley, nine ballparks draw thousands of local residents and visiting fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite teams before Opening Day.
Each season, Cactus League games grow in popularity due to cheap tickets, great games, and the chance to get up-close and personal with Major League superstars. Last year, over 1 million fans came through the turnstiles to have some fun in the sun and catch a game.
"It is a whole new and different experience," says broadcast journalism sophomore Erisa Nakano. "It's definitely something that all baseball fans should experience once in their life. [It's] a laid back environment [where] fans can carry casual conversations with [the players] and get opportunities to interact with them."
For some residents in Tempe, seeing a game can be as easy as walking across the street. Three teams, the Oakland Athletics, the San Francisco Giants, and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim play in stadiums that are within a 20-minute drive from the ASU campus.
"It's an easy field trip," says art education sophomore Abby Waltz-Hill. "Most of places people live have limited options for entertainment. When you live here you have other alternatives."
Each venue is fan-friendly and state-of-the-art. Rarely will you encounter long lines or crowded patios. Even if you are not a fan, enjoy the social surroundings or lay out and soak up some sun.
The Cactus League gets into full swing on Thursday, March 1, and comes to an end on Saturday, March 31. First pitch for practically every game takes place at 1:05 p.m.
Reach the reporter at: william.hennigan@asu.edu.
Phoenix Municipal Stadium - Home of the Oakland A's
5999 E. Van Buren, Phoenix, Arizona 85008.
Purchase tickets:
Phone: 1-877-493-BALL
Web: www.sfgiants.com
Ticket prices: $8 - $24
Scottsdale Stadium - Home of the San Francisco Giants
7408 E. Osborn Rd., Scottsdale, Arizona 85251.
Purchase tickets:
Phone: 1-800-225-2277
Web: www.oaklandathletics.com
Ticket prices: $8 to $26
Tempe Diablo Stadium - Home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
2200 W. Alameda Dr., Tempe AZ 85282.
Purchase tickets:
Phone: 1-888-99-HALOS
Web: www.laangels.com
Ticket prices: $5 to $24
Not a fan of the teams listed? Check out the schedule at www.cactusleague.com to see when your team comes to town.
