Comment

Comment by Katie (30) on March 30, 2010 at 9:50pm

Thanks to everyone for your ideas! My cactus league trip was awesome. Made it to Goodyear, Camelback, and Tempe Diablo. Great parks!! Scottsdale had great nightlife too- love the weather there. I will definitely be heading back to Arizona next March instead of Florida!! Thanks!

Comment by Jack (6) on January 19, 2010 at 11:20pm

Katie, have you seen this site? Maybe it will help http://www.springtrainingonline.com/home.htm

Comment by Katie (30) on January 6, 2010 at 1:08pm

Working on March 26th-28th... Can't wait to see some baseball!!

Comment by Craig (17) on December 6, 2009 at 11:03pm

It is on our list, Jack! Minor League parks as well...

Comment by Jack (6) on December 6, 2009 at 10:54pm

Craig, any plans on adding chaser guides for spring training parks?

Comment by Craig (17) on December 6, 2009 at 9:39pm

Hey Katie, I have never been but really want to plan a trip to Arizona now that the Reds are there along with the new Goodyear Ballpark! Check out this website for more tips! http://www.springtrainingtips.com/index.php

Comment by Michael Abram on December 6, 2009 at 10:04am

Defiinitely check out the new Dodger facility in Glendale. The stadium is really nice, plus you have very close access to the players if you're interested in autographs and meeting the players. The practice fields are located right next to the stadium and it is just a really well done facility overall. There is a Hampton Inn like 1.5 miles away from their facility and is right across from a large shopping center that houses many restaurants, bars, clubs and the Phoenix Cyotes NHL facility.

Comment by Katie (30) on November 30, 2009 at 9:23am

Doug... Junior... Great info!! I'm interested in any other perspectives as well, so keep 'em coming! I'll plan to post details about my trip later too- Thanks!

Comment by Junior (17) on November 29, 2009 at 9:44pm

My favorite has always been the Scottsdale for the SF Giants. I have seen quite a few of the ball parks in the Cactus League, the Angels Stadium in Tempe is also pretty cool. I would stay in Tempe at the Four Points Tempe Hotel on Rural Road. It's near ASU and seems to be pretty reasonably priced. There are a ton of golf courses out there too. You will definitely have a blast. FYI..if you want to attend a Cubs game in Mesa, get the tickets as soon as they go on sale, because they sell out very quickly. The Cubs are the most popular team in the Cactus League for home game attendance.

Comment by Doug Miller (30) on November 29, 2009 at 8:04pm

Katie -- I hit Mariners' Spring Training in 2000 and had a great time. March in Arizona doesn't get much better, a perfect 80+ degrees when I was looking to escape the rain. We actually did a package through the Mariners when we went (we sat directly behind Chuck Armstrong and next to Ron Fairly in the stands), the tickets couldn't be beat, but overall it was overpriced. Peoria has a nice park, and the area is full of places to eat and sights to see. I thought the park in Scottsdale was nicer, but there wasn't as much to do and it was a ways out of town. I'd expect bigger crowds with the Dodgers and Reds since they're new to the league, so you might hit the more established teams -- You'll have die hards, but less casual traffic, it might be easier to relax and enjoy the games. That was probably the best part about Spring Training, I truly didn't care if the M's won or lost, I just wanted to have a good time watching a bunch of young players I'd never heard of and would likely never see again while sitting in the sun with an ice cold lemonade.

In terms of places to stay, staying close to the parks will be harder to book, especially on weekends. They're all booked with tours. You can find better hotels about 30 minutes out of town that will be just as nice and save you some money.