When it’s still cold and potentially snowing in most of the country, residents of Arizona throw on their baseball hats and sunglasses to watch their favorite teams in spring training.
15 teams have spring training in Arizona. The Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Reds, Indians, Rockies, Royals, Angels, Dodgers, Brewers, Athletics, Padres, Giants, Mariners, and Rangers all pay our sunny state a visit in February and March to prepare for their upcoming season.
But even if your favorite team isn’t in Arizona for the spring, here is why you should still give spring training a try.
Tickets: Tickets are super cheap. On average, tickets can be $20, but depending on the team and on the time/date of the game, tickets may cost more or less. You can score great deals on any ticketing apps such as Ticket Master or Seat Geek. Radio stations and local businesses also do giveaways and deals on spring training tickets.
Food: Hot dogs, peanuts, and cotton candy galore! There is plenty of typical baseball food to satisfy any cravings you may have. Each stadium also has a few specialty items if you want to kick your food game up a few notches. According to azcentral.com, at Salt River Fields, the Pig and Potato is a plate of French fries, smothered in nacho cheese, bacon, maple syrup, siracha sauce, and sour cream. In Goodyear, try the bacon cheeseburger that is between two grilled cheese sandwiches. Whether you decide to go with classic ball park food or a wacky new combo, make sure to grab a fresh lemonade or an ice-cold beer.
Fun for the whole family: Many stadiums have a kid’s zone that is a designated spot for families to gather and hang out. Lawn seats are also available for many of the games for more enhanced family fun. Spring training games are more relaxed than regular baseball games. So, if you have young kids and want them to experience baseball without paying the price of a regular MLB ticket, spring training is perfect!
Whether you’ve been a resident of Arizona for your whole life, or you are brand new, spring training never gets old. If you are going to an afternoon game, just make sure to bring sunscreen and stay hydrated!
