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Phoenix Travel Articles
- Baseball's Three Seasons
- Top Spas
For dyed-in-the-wool baseball fans, there's no better place than the Valley of the Sun. Baseball has become nearly a year-round activity in the Phoenix area, beginning with spring training in late February and continuing through the Arizona Fall League championships in mid-November.
Professional baseball sunk its roots in the warm Sonoran Desert more than a half-century ago, in 1947, when Bill Veeck brought his Cleveland Indians to Tucson and Horace Stoneham brought the New York Giants to Phoenix for spring training. Before 1947, only a few exhibition games had been played in Arizona; most spring-training games took place in the Florida Grapefruit League, as they had since 1914. Some teams trained in California in the 1930s, and a few teams played in such places as San Antonio, Savannah, Puerto Rico, and even Havana, Cuba. In 1951 baseball fans in Arizona watched Joe DiMaggio and rookie Mickey Mantle train and play at the Phoenix Municipal Stadium, when the New York Yankees came over from Florida for a year, brought by owner -- and Phoenix resident -- Del Webb.
Spring
Today, the Cactus League consists of 12 major league teams (9 in the Valley and 3 in Tucson). Ticket prices are reasonable, around $7 to $8 for bleacher seats to $15 for reserved seats. Many stadiums have lawn-seating areas in the outfield, where you can spread a blanket and bring a picnic. Cactus League stadiums are more intimate than big-league parks, and players often come right up to the stands to say hello and to sign autographs. Special events such as fireworks nights, bat and T-shirt giveaway nights, and visits from sports mascots add to the festive feeling during spring training.
Tickets for some teams go on sale as early as December. Brochures listing game schedules and ticket information are available by calling the Arizona teams' venues or checking the Cactus League's Web site.
Summer
During the regular major-league season, the hometown Arizona Diamondbacks play on natural grass at Chase Field, formerly Bank One Ballpark (BOB), in the heart of Phoenix's Copper Square (the team does spring training in Tucson). The stadium is a technological wonder; if the weather's a little too warm outside, they close the roof, turn on the gigantic air-conditioners, and keep you cool while you enjoy the game. You can tour the stadium, except on afternoon-game days and holidays.
Fall
At the conclusion of the regular season, the Arizona Fall League runs until the week before Thanksgiving. Each major league team sends six of their most talented young prospects to compete with other young promising players -- 180 players in all. There are six teams in the league, broken down into two divisions. It's a great way to see future Hall of Famers in their early years. Tickets for Fall League games are $5 for adults, $4 for kids and seniors, or you can get season tickets.
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