The Cactus League Experience

   There are few things that are as special as experiencing Major League Baseball's Spring Training in Arizona. From the immaculate weather to the roar of the crowd watching their favorite players hit bombs out of the park, every moment holds a memory that cannot be replicated. As someone who has spent many years behind home plate watching, learning and collecting statistics and other data, I have had the pleasure of studying each Cactus League ballpark one by one in their entirety so that I can now bring that experience to you. 

1. Peoria Sports Complex: 

   Home of the Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres since 1994, this park has seen some of the greatest to ever do it. Ken Griffey Jr, Ichiro Suzuki, Felix Hernandez, Tony Gwynn and Blake Snell are just a few notable players who have called this park their home. Each spring training ballpark has its own rich history but that isn’t the only thing that makes them unique.     

   Immediately driving in you will notice an abundance of parking and space for ride share drop off and pick up making this park accessible to all without much pre-planning on your part. 

   Peoria Sports Complex features a main stadium with a seating capacity of 12,000, making it one of the larger spring training ballparks in Arizona. The stadium is designed to provide a relaxed, intimate setting for fans to enjoy baseball games. 

   The seating areas are divided into various sections, including reserved, general admission, and picnic areas. Fans can choose from shaded seats, premium spots, or even grassy areas to watch the game.

   There are plenty of places to find all of your classic ballpark favorites such as Seattle Dogs, peanuts, crackerjacks, soft pretzels and of course souvenir sodas.    There is a twenty-four hundred square foot team store that is exactly half Padres and Half Mariners merchandise as well as several smaller merch stands throughout the park. This year the actual spring training merch was limited but there are plenty of things that you won’t be able to find in Seattle or San Diego if you’re looking for something unique to commemorate. 

  Peoria Sports Complex modern amenities, spacious training fields, and fan-friendly atmosphere make it a standout destination for spring training baseball. 

2. Camelback Ranch:

  Home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago white Socks since 2009 this stadium offers fans a spacious environment to watch spring training games, with many seats providing unobstructed views of the action on the field. The design of the stadium emphasizes fan comfort, with shaded seating areas, premium seating sections, and a large concourse that makes it easy to move around and access concessions and amenities.

  This park has Three thousand lawn seats, eight full suites, four mini suites, a massive pavilion at center and a bandstand. The energy from Dodger fans is truly unmatched and the energy you feel at this park will fill you with childlike excitement. Its Rusty panels and caramel seats are meant to mimic the earthy tones of the dessert around it which makes you feel like you are in a beautiful painting. The only downside to this park is that it is in Glendale and there is not a lot to do around it which can be said for many Spring Training facilities. 

  The complex offers a wide range of food and beverage options, including ballpark classics such as hot dogs, pretzels, and nachos, along with healthier alternatives and craft beers. The stadium has multiple food stands and dining areas for fans to enjoy during the game.

  The complex’s combination amenities and fan-friendly atmosphere has made it a favorite destination for baseball lovers.

3. American Family Fields of Phoenix:

  American Family Fields of Phoenix opened in 1998 as the home of the Milwaukee Brewers' spring training operations. Originally named Maryvale Baseball Park, the complex served as the Brewers' spring training base for over two decades. In 2019, the facility was rebranded as American Family Fields of Phoenix.

  The park has a seating capacity of approximately 7,000, making it a cozy and comfortable venue for spring training games. The smaller stadium provides a more personal and interactive game experience compared to larger ballparks.

  The fan engagement here is top tier, something you would expect to see at a Brewers game. Entertainment includes a five-cap shuffle, musical challenge, Roll out the Barrels and sausage races.

  With food that makes you miss Wisconsin, fan favorites include cheese curds, burgers, bratchos and of course all the miller light you could ever need. They also offer free sunscreen in all of the bathrooms, a nice touch.

  The stadium is designed to be easily accessible to all fans, including those with disabilities. The facility offers accessible seating, restrooms, and pathways, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the spring training experience. Additionally, there is ample parking available at the stadium, including designated parking spots for fans with disabilities, making it easy for visitors to access the venue.

4. Surprise Stadium: 

  Opened in 2003, it serves as the spring training home for the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers. Known for its modern amenities, scenic design, and welcoming atmosphere, Surprise Stadium offers an outstanding experience for baseball fans, players, and the local community.  The problem is that it sits approximately twenty-three miles away from downtown Phoenix which can take you more than an hour at the wrong time of the day.

  The park has a beautiful three thousand seat lawn and a total seating capacity of 10,500. The seating is divided into several sections, including reserved seating, general admission, and grassy berm areas.

   The design of the stadium provides a serene and comfortable atmosphere, ensuring that fans feel close to the action while still enjoying comfortable seating and ample legroom. The open concourses allow for easy movement between sections, ensuring that fans can access concessions, restrooms, and merchandise stands without missing too much of the game. In front of the batters' eye screen is a garden of cacti, desert spoons and other plants native to the area and the screen itself is green helping it blend into the area around it.      

  Surprise has individual team stores that are both open for all games as well as a separate store where you can find merchandise from all cactus league teams and spring training specific gear. The park doesn’t have a large variety of concessions, but you can find the basic ballpark snacks, noodles, burgers and a few other things throughout.

  One of the best attractions of Surprise Stadium is that Surprise Community Park sits across the street from the center field entrance. Here you will find a massive, three fountain pond where people like to fish or hang out on the beach observing wildlife. There is also a basketball court, food courts, a playground and of course, a baseball field.  

5. Goodyear Ballpark:

  Built in 2009, Goodyear is the spring training facility for the Cleveland Guardians and the Cincinnati Reds. Outside the park you will first notice “The Ziz”, a sixty-foot, baseball sculpture by Donald Lipski that sits outside the main entrance of the park in the middle of a fountain surrounded by palm trees.

   With a seating capacity of approximately 10,000, Goodyear offers plenty of shaded seating areas as well as just over 1500 lawn seats, a terrace patio you can rent for private parties and 6 luxury suites. There is a split team store, and several concessions stands including tacos, Philly cheesesteaks and veggie dogs. The park also features large screen in left field, a wiffle ball field on the first base side of the stadium and a backdrop of palm trees making sure you truly feel like you are on vacation while you’re there. 

  Whether you're watching a spring training game, enjoying a practice session, or participating in a local event, Goodyear Ballpark continues to be a beloved location for baseball fans and community members alike. As a central part of Goodyear’s identity, the ballpark offers both a memorable experience for visitors and a lasting impact on the local area.

6. Scottsdale Stadium:

   Sitting just twelve miles from downtown Phoenix and one mile from Old Town Scottsdale, the San Francisco Giants spring training facility is certainly number one when it comes to location and is the most attended stadium in Cactus League. The original Scottsdale Stadium was opened in 1956 and was previously the home of the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and the Oakland Athletics until the Giants moved to the park in 1984.  It was rebuilt in 1991 and again renovated in 2006, housing names like Barry Bonds and Will Clark.

   Getting into the stadium is easy, there is a decent amount of parking at the ballpark, but you can also park in Scottsdale and walk there which is best if you’re considering going out in Old Town after the game. The front entrance of the park looks as though you are walking into a major league ballpark and has green and red metal and brick exterior and a giant red banner welcoming Giants fans.

   On the main concourse you will find a board listing the starting lineup for the day, Concession stands consisting of a grab-n-go station, classic ballpark food, barbecue and souvenir drinks and a 2,600 square feet team store. There are 8 private suites, 3,812 lawn seats and a beer garden you can watch the game from. 

  Although there is a lack of shade, once at your seat you will immediately notice the beautiful desert mountain scenery that will make you forget that your skin is melting off of your body.

  Scottsdale Stadium is an energetic and exciting venue for baseball fans of all ages. With its rich history, modern amenities, and strong community ties, the stadium provides a memorable experience for visitors each spring. 

7. Sloan Park:

   Home of the Chicago Cubs, Sloan Park is the largest spring training facility in Arizona. Located in Mesa it is a fourteen-minute (7.5 mi) drive from Old Town Scottsdale and Twenty minutes (14 mi) drive from downtown Phoenix.

   Sloan Park opened in 2014 as “Cubs Park” making it the newest ballpark in the Cactus League. Sloan took over naming rights in 2015. It holds the record for most attendance at a spring training facility in a single season at 250,893 in 2019 as well as a league record of single game attendance in spring training in 2023 at 16,100 against the Boston Red Sox. 

  Sloan Park is a modern, fan-centric ballpark with a seating capacity of 15,000. The ballpark offers a wide variety of seating options, including premium seating, reserved seating, general admission, a lawn seating capacity of 4,200 and a rooftop beer garden right above the lawn that has a capacity of 1,000 people. The seating bowl is designed to provide excellent sightlines for fans, ensuring optimal viewing  no matter where they sit

  You will also find vendors serving Chicago burgers, Chicago-style hot dogs, Chicago-style pizza, Meatball sandwiches and other items you would expect to see at Wrigley Field. You may also notice a big red sign inside the park, resembling the one at the main entrance of Wrigley, welcoming Cubs fans to Sloan Park. 

8. Salt River Fields: 11,000

  Opened in 2011 Salt River Fields is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies. Sitting 21 miles outside of Downtown Phoenix and 5 miles from Oldtown Scottsdale, Salt River Fields is a modern facility that was designed with fans' comfort in mind, offering ample shade and spacious seating. The outfield berm area offers a relaxed, grassy area where fans can enjoy the game while soaking in the beautiful desert surroundings.

  When it comes to food, this place is hot dog heaven. Offering New York, Chicago, Colorado and Arizona style hot dogs, this park truly has something for everyone. From burgers to tacos, to sweet treats, Salt River concessions is certainly one of the best amenities of this facility.  

  One of the most distinctive features of Salt River Fields is its beautiful desert backdrop. The stadium is located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, surrounded by stunning views of the McDowell Mountains and the Tonto National Forest. The scenic beauty of the area enhances the spring training experience, providing fans with breathtaking views while they enjoy the game. The unique setting makes Salt River Fields a standout location for both baseball and tourism in Arizona.

9. Hohokam Stadium: 10,500

  Opened in 1997 just west of the old Hohokam stadium (1976-1995) this park has been occupied by the Athletics since 2015. Previously home of The Chicago Cubs, Hohokam is one of the most historically valuable parks in the Cactus League. 

  Sammy Sosa, Ryne Sanberg and Scott Servais are just a few notable players who called this park their home for spring training.  Even though the park that stands now is not the original, you still can't help the hallowed ground feeling you get when entering this park. 

  Hohokam Stadium had a seating capacity of approximately 12,500.  The stadium featured a mix of reserved seating, general admission, and grass berm areas, where fans could watch the game from a more relaxed, picnic-style setting.  It has the largest videoboard of all the cactus league parks, a party deck and over 2,000lawn seats. 

  Concessions consist of Hot dogs, Pizza, Curly fries, soft pretzels and burgers but if you really want something unique to this ballpark, I highly recommend Dos Rios Street Tacos and Nachos. 

  The Original Hohokam Stadium holds a special place in the history of spring training baseball. For over 30 years, it was the home of the Oakland Athletics, and before that, the Chicago Cubs. During that time, the stadium hosted countless spring training games, many of which featured future Hall of Famers and other iconic players. 

10. Tempe Diablo Stadium:

  Tempe Diablo Stadium first opened its doors in 1968 and has since become an iconic venue in the world of spring training baseball. It was the spring training home of the Seattle Pilots in 1969 and 1970 before they moved to Milwaukee and became the Brewers who played at the park until 1972, and theSeattle Mariners from 1977 through 1993. The stadium underwent several changes and improvements over the years before becoming the spring training home of the Los Angeles Angels in 1993.

  With a seating capacity of 9,500 Tempe Diablo stadium’s small atmosphere makes it easy to get a great view of the action, and the players often interact with the crowd in a way that’s unique to spring training games. 

  A variety of food and beverage options are available, including ballpark classics like hot dogs, nachos, and ice cream. There are also vegetarian and gluten-free options to cater to different dietary preferences.

  The name “Diablo” stems from the nearby Tempe Butte, which was once called "El Diablo" by early settlers. The mountain stands as a backdrop to the stadium, giving this ballpark one of the best views in the cactus league.

  Each ballpark is filled with its own unique history, amenities, concessions and culture. No matter which park you decide to go to next spring the only thing that is guaranteed is that you will have the experience of a lifetime.