Cactus League Spring Training Guide
Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: Calendar
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GLENDALE CAMELBACK RANCH
Home Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox
Address: 10710 W. Camelback Road, Glendale
Phone/Web: 623.302.5000; camelbackranchbaseball.com
Ticket prices: $10-$47
What you should know: Camelback Ranch is one of the most expensive tickets in spring training baseball, but the stadium plays host to the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team that only last year moved its spring training home from Florida to Arizona. Sun exposure is a big problem at Camelback Ranch, so if you're pounding back beers, be sure to remember to hydrate and to bring sunscreen.
Parking: Parking is available in unpaved lots adjacent to the stadium accessible via Camelback Road, just off the Agua Fria spur of the Loop 101. The roadway, in a largely undeveloped area of the Valley, gets congested and parking can create headaches on big game days. Arrive early.
Pre-game/post-game partying: The biggest collection of bars and eateries is found at Westgate City Center. Bars like Yardhouse, The Shout House (and lots more) give you plenty of eating and drinking options less than about three miles from the stadium. Westgatecitycenter.com
Schedule: March 5: White Sox vs. Dodgers; March 6: Dodgers vs. Chicago White Sox; March 7: White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs; March 8: White Sox vs. Seattle Mariners; March 9; Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies; March 10: Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks; March 11: White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians; March 12: Dodgers vs. Cincinnati Reds; March 13: White Sox vs. Milwaukee Brewers; March 14: Dodgers vs. Texas Rangers; March 15: White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals; March 16: White Sox vs. Colorado Rockies; March 17: Dodgers vs. Chicago White Sox; March 18: Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs; March 19: White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs; March 20: White Sox vs. San Diego Padres; March 20: Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres; March 21: Dodgers vs. Cleveland Indians; March 22: Dodgers vs. Los Angeles Angels; March 23: White Sox vs. San Francisco Giants; March 24: White Sox vs. Arizona Diamondbacks; March 25: Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers; March 26: Dodgers vs. Kansas City Royals; March 27: Dodgers vs. Seattle Mariners; March 28: White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals; March 29: White Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels; March 30: White Sox vs. Oakland A's; March 31: Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants
GOODYEAR BALLPARK
Home Teams: Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians
Address: 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear
Phone/Web: 623.882.3120; goodyearaz.gov/ballpark
Ticket prices: $8-$35
What you should know: Goodyear seems to have really gone out of its way to add a lot of the fan-friendly perks spring training fans have grown to love. These include offering $15 terrace (suite) level tickets (if any are available day of game) and building a party pavilion in right field, where groups of 20 or more can take advantage of tickets discounts and get perks like free food and shade. Goodyear also offers extensive discounts. Check their website.
Parking: The stadium is just two miles south of Interstate 10, just off the Estrella Mountain Parkway. There are about 3,000 parking spaces, ample for most game days.
Pre-game/post-game partying: The Goodyear area is still gaining its footing as a partying spot, but several pubs exist within a few mile radius, including Roman's Oasis (16825 W. Yuma Road, Goodyear, 623.932.0922) and Hoot & Howl
(55 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, 623.932.3580). A Chilis and Macayo's are also nearby on Litchfield Road.
Schedule: March 5: Reds vs. Cleveland Indians; March 6: Indians vs. Cincinnati Reds; March 7: Indians vs. Texas Rangers; March 8: Reds vs. Kansas City Royals; March 9: Reds vs. Arizona Diamondbacks; March 10: Indians vs. San Diego Padres; March 11: Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers; March 12: Indians vs. Los Angeles Angels; March 13: Indians vs. Texas Rangers; March 14: Reds vs. Chicago White Sox; March 15: Reds vs. Oakland A's; March 16: Indians vs. San Francisco Giants; March 17: Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers; March 17 (night): Reds vs. Cleveland Indians; March 18: Indians vs. Cincinnati Reds; March 19: Reds vs. Seattle Mariners; March 20: Indians vs. Oakland A's; March 21: Reds vs. Chicago Cubs; March 22: Reds vs. Colorado Rockies; March 23: Indians vs. Milwaukee Brewers; March 24: Reds vs. San Francisco Giants; March 25: Indians vs. Seattle Mariners; March 26: Indians vs. Colorado Rockies; March 27: Indians vs. Arizona Diamondbacks; March 28: Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers; March 29: Indians vs. Los Angeles Dodgers; March 30: Reds vs. San Diego Padres; March 31: Indians vs. Chicago White Sox; April 1: Reds vs. Texas Rangers; April 2: Indians vs. Cincinnati Reds; April 3: Reds vs. Cleveland Indians
HOHOKAM STADIUM
Home Team: Chicago Cubs
Address: 1235 N. Center Street, Mesa
Phone/web: 480.644.4451; chicagocubs.com or hohokamstadium.com
Ticket prices: $8-$30
What you should know: The Cubs are typically among the Cactus League's biggest draws and many of the games sell out quickly. Lawn seats are always an option for $8, but later in the season shade is tough to come by in Hohokam and the lawn can get hot and crowded. If you can swing it, consider finding tickets in the Budweiser Tent, which offers shaded outfield seating for $17.
Parking: Parking is available in grass lots in and around the stadium and in the driveways and yards of private homes near the stadium. Arrive early. The traffic to park is always heavy.
Pre-game/post-game partying: Sluggo's has been the destination for Cubs fans for years, going back to the days when it was known as Harry & Steve's. Cubs diehards still pack the bar for some pre- and post-game festivities, making it the best place to get pumped up for an afternoon in the beautiful Arizona sunshine. Sluggo's,
161 N. Centennial, Mesa, 480.844.8448
Schedule: March 4: Cubs vs. Oakland A's; March 5: Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks; March 6: Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox; March 7: Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers; March 9: Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers; March 10: Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants; March 13: Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds; March 16: Cubs vs. Texas Rangers; March 20: Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals; March 22: Cubs vs. Cleveland Indians; March 26: Cubs vs. Oakland A's; March 27: Cubs vs. San Diego Padres; March 29: Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds; March 31: Cubs vs. Los Angeles Angels; April 1: Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies
MARYVALE STADIUM
Home Team: Milwaukee Brewers
Address: 3600 N. 51st Avenue, Phoenix
Phone/web: 602.534.6449/milwaukeebrewers.com
Ticket prices: $8-$21
What you should know: Maryvale and the Milwaukee Brewers tend to be one of the more overlooked teams in the spring training lineup - and those who do make a big mistake. Maryvale is a fan's stadium, designed to provide lots of shade to guests and plenty of room. On top of that, good seats are often easy to come by and the lawn seating is spacious and well-designed, with a steep slope that provides good views to attendees.
Parking: Parking is available around the stadium and in a strip mall across the street. At the end of the game, it's a bit easier to get out of the strip mall. Both lots have traditionally cost the same price, about $6.
Pre-game/post-game partying: There are numerous bars on both McDowell and Indian School roads near 51st Avenue, but pre- and post-game partying is not one of the things that the Maryvale facility is traditionally known by spring training enthusiasts for.
Schedule: March 6: Brewers vs. San Francisco Giants; March 7: Brewers vs. Cincinnati Reds; March 8: Brewers vs. Seattle Mariners; March 11: Brewers vs. Oakland A's; March 12: Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs; March 13: Brewers vs. Colorado Rockies; March 15: Brewers vs. Cleveland Indians; March 19: Brewers vs. Los Angeles Angels; March 20: Brewers vs. Kansas City Royals; March 21: Brewers vs. Chicago White Sox; March 22: Brewers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers; March 26: Brewers vs. San Diego Padres; March 27: Brewers vs. Texas Rangers; March 29: Brewers vs. San Francisco Giants; March 31: Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs; April 1: Brewers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
PEORIA STADIUM
Home Teams: Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres
Address: 16101 N. 83rd Avenue, Peoria
Phone/web: 623.773.8700; peoriaaz.com/sportscomplex
Ticket prices: $6-$23
What you should know: Peoria Sports Complex is among the West Valley's most conveniently located facilities and is within walking distance to a wide variety of bars and restaurants. The Mariners and Padres both tend to draw handsomely for their games, making this the place to be in March on the west side.
Parking: There are roughly 3,000 parking spots available around the stadium. As of last year, parking was $5 a spot.
Pre-game/post-game partying: There are lots of places to choose from along the 83rd Avenue and Bell Road section of Peoria, but it's hard for any sports fans to look past the massive McDuffy's,
15814 N. 83rd Avenue, 623.334.5000, which has gaggles of TVs to watch just about any game and is bound to be packed with fellow fans of a little afternoon baseball hooky-playing.
Schedule: March 3: Mariners vs. San Francisco Giants; March 4: Padres vs. Seattle Mariners; March 5: Mariners vs. San Diego Padres; March 6: Padres vs. Seattle Mariners; March 7: Mariners vs. San Diego Padres March 8: Padres vs. Colorado Rockies; March 9: Mariners vs. Cleveland Indians; March 10: Padres vs. Milwaukee Brewers; March 11: Padres vs. Chicago Cubs; March 12: Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals; March 13: Mariners vs. San Francisco Giants;
March 14: Padres vs. Cleveland Indians; March 15: Padres vs. San Francisco Giants; March 16: Padres vs. Los Angeles Angels; March 17: Mariners vs. Texas Rangers; March 18: Mariners vs. Colorado Rockies; March 19: Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers; March 20: Mariners vs. Arizona Diamondbacks; March 21: Padres vs. Texas Rangers; March 22: Mariners vs. Oakland A's; March 23: Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels; March 24: Padres vs. Seattle Mariners; March 25: Padres vs. Chicago White Sox; March 26: Mariners vs. Cincinnati Reds; March 27: Padres vs. Cincinnati Reds; March 28: Mariners vs. Chicago Cubs; March 29: Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks; March 31: Padres vs. Kansas City Royals; April 1: Mariners vs. Chicago White Sox
PHOENIX MUNICIPAL STADIUM
Home Team: Oakland A's
Address: 5999 E. Van Buren Street, Phoenix
Phone/web: 602.495.7239; oaklandas.com or phoenix.gov/sports/phxmuni.html
Ticket prices: $10-$25
What you should know: Perhaps matching the Bay Area roots of its resident team, Phoenix Municipal Stadium has a distinctly laid back vibe, from the family-friendly grassy picnic area in left field to the come-as-you-are mix of folks who attend from all directions of the venue. Games rarely sell out, and a wide selection of craft-type beers thankfully never do.
Parking: Parking is available in a lot directly adjacent to the stadium for $5 per car. A bridge leads over a major road, directly transporting fans directly from the parking lot to the stadium's front gate.
Pre-game/post-game partying: Awesomely, tailgating and drinking from cans is allowed in the parking lots adjacent to the stadium. Just a mile from Muni, Draw 10 Bar & Grill is a neighborhood sports bar with some pretty good drink specials, and it's right on the light rail line. Draw 10 Bar & Grill, 5444 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.273.1061
Schedule: March 5: A's vs. Brewers; March 6: A's vs.Angels; March 8: A's vs. Cubs; March 9: A's vs. Rangers; March 10: A's vs. White Sox; March 13: A's vs. Padres; March 14: A's vs. Royals; March 17: A's vs. Giants; March 18: A's vs. Diamondbacks; March 20: A's vs. Cubs; March 21: A's vs. Reds; March 24: A's vs. Dodgers; March 28: A's vs. Rockies; March 29: A's vs. Mariners; March 31: A's vs. Reds
SCOTTSDALE STADIUM
Home Team: Giants
Address: 7408 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale
Phone/web: 480.312.2586; sfgiants.com or scottsdaleaz.gov/stadium
Ticket prices: $7-$30
What you should know: The Giants are consistently a big draw, so expect a crowd. Scottsdale Stadium's outfield grass seats are between $7 and $15 depending upon the game, but with a steep berm and good sightlines that are among the best in all of the Cactus League. Just be sure to arrive extra early, as they tend to fill up quickly.
Parking: There's very limited free parking at the stadium itself. Otherwise, pay a fee to park at a private lot adjacent to the stadium, or park at Fashion Square east of Nordstrom's and take the Giants Spring Training Shuttle for free.
Pre-game/post-game partying: Scottsdale Stadium's close proximity to Old Town Scottsdale makes it the best ballgame-to-bar (or vice-versa) venue in the Cactus League. There are all types of pubs, clubs and restaurants in downtown Scottsdale within walking distance. Dos Gringos, a favorite for cheap drinks and debauchery, is within a mile. Dos Gringos, 4209 N. Craftsman Court, Scottsdale, 480.423.3800
Schedule: March 4: Giants vs. Brewers; March 5: Giants vs. Rockies; March 6: Giants vs. Diamondbacks; March 8: Giants vs. Dodgers; March 9: Giants vs. White Sox; March 11: Giants vs. Mariners; March 13: Giants vs. A's; March 14: Giants vs. Brewers; March 19: Giants vs. Indians; March 20: Giants vs. Reds; March 22: Giants vs. Rangers; March 25: Giants vs. A's; March 26: Giants vs. Angels; March 28: Giants vs. Padres; March 30: Giants vs. Cubs
SURPRISE STADIUM
Home Teams: Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers
Address: 15850 N. Bullard Avenue, Surprise
Phone/web: 602.222.2222; royals.com or texasrangers.com or surprisespringtraining.com
Ticket prices: $7-$30
What you should know: Built in 2003, Surprise Stadium has a lot of modern amenities that many parks do not. The outfield lawn is spacious and evenly-sloped, the adjacent parking lots are huge and free and $25 gets you a Home Run Party Deck ticket, which includes admission, all-inclusive food and two drink vouchers. If you don't have such a ticket, though, make sure to bring cash for food and drink.
Parking: Parking is free and plentiful at the large lots directly next to the stadium, easily the stadium's greatest feature.
Pre-game/post-game partying: As Surprise is a newer area, there are plenty of the typical chain restaurants to the north along Bell Road. For an alternative, try the Irish Wolfhound. Happy hour prices on a full beer list of usual American and Euro pub suspects, burgers and Irish specialties make this joint stand out. Irish Wolfhound Restaurant & Pub, 16811 N. Litchfield Road, Surprise, 623.214.1004
Schedule: March 4: Royals vs. Rangers; March 5: Royals vs. Rangers; March 6: Rangers vs. Royals; March 7: Rangers vs. Giants; March 8: Rangers vs. Angels; March 9: Royals vs. A's; March 10: Rangers vs. Mariners; March 11: Royals vs. Dodgers; March 12: Rangers vs. Padres; March 13: Royals vs. Angels; March 14: Rangers vs. Diamondbacks; March 15: Rangers vs. Giants; March 16: Royals vs. Brewers; March 17: Royals vs. Padres; March 18: Rangers vs. Brewers; March 19: Rangers vs. Indians; March 20: Rangers vs. Dodgers; March 21: Royals vs. Rockies; March 22: Royals vs. White Sox; March 23: Royals vs. Cubs; March 24: Rangers vs. Cubs; March 25; Royals vs. Mariners; March 26: Rangers vs. A's; March 27: Royals vs. A's; March 28: Rangers vs. White Sox; March 29: Rangers vs. Rockies; March 30: Royals vs. Indians; March 31: Rangers vs. Mariners; April 1: Royals vs. Diamondbacks
TEMPE DIABLO STADIUM
Home Team: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Address: 2200 W. Alameda Drive, Tempe
Phone/web: 480.350.5205; laangels.com or tempe.gov/diablo
Ticket prices: $6-$29
What you should know: Traffic makes getting into the stadium tough, but once you do, Tempe Diablo hosts a game most beautifully. A view of the buttes rising up past the third-base line is impressive, and the cozy feel of the $6 outfield seats is unmatched in other Cactus League Parks - but the grass fills fast, so claim a spot early.
Parking: Traffic is consistently terrible surrounding Diablo on game-days, so it's advised to arrive extra early to try and claim one of the 1,350 $5 spots. Otherwise, scour for pay parking in willing local businesses nearby.
Pre-game/post-game partying: Tempe Diablo is surrounded largely by office and industrial complexes, freeways and major streets, so it's definitely advised to pre- and post-game on Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe. Sports bars, dance clubs, pubs and dives are all gathered in one spot there, so sullying the reputation of the team you support with rowdy, drunken behavior shouldn't be too tough.
Schedule: March 4: Angels vs. White Sox; March 5: Angels vs. Rockies; March 7: Angels vs. A's; March 9: Angels vs. Padres; March 10: Angels vs. Reds; March 12: Angels vs. White Sox; March 14: Angels vs. Cubs; March 15: Angels vs. Dodgers; March 17: Angels vs. Diamondbacks; March 21: Angels vs. Mariners; March 24: Angels vs. Royals; March 25: Angels vs. Rangers; March 27: Angels vs. Giants; March 28: Angels vs. Indians; March 29: Angels vs. Royals; March 30: Angels vs. Brewers; April 1: Angels vs. Indians
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