2009 Cactus League Overview

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Graphic by Eliot Krohn

• Photo gallery: Southern exposure – Images of spring | Grapefruit League Overview

It's a ritual unlike any other in sports because it draws casual baseball fans and seamheads to perennially sunny spots where the games don't even count.

And that's what makes Spring Training so fantastic: It's a chance to get away from home, where it may be frigid or even snowing in Northern climes, and travel to a warm setting where the dispositions of major leaguers are as sunny as the locales; access to players is better than you'll get all year.

Indeed, the laid-back atmosphere, in every sense, is a major draw for fans. It's not too bad for the players, either.

Yes, go teams must, to tepid climes where the desert weather all but guarantees the daily workouts required of pitchers, catchers, batters, baserunners, Golden Gloves and those who aspire to be.

So, venture forth, oh, ye sage aficionados, be as one with the arid vegetation and desert topography, and experience the spring regimen that is baseball … and perhaps the best chance to get autographs, snap photos and otherwise get up close and personal with heroes of the diamond.

See below for information on each of the Cactus facilities. Spring Training games begin Feb. 25 and conclude April 5. We provide you with details to make your Spring Training foray as special as possible, from updating you on team and facility facts to providing game schedules and ticket information. (Click here for the 2009 Grapefruit League Overview.)

Arizona Diamondbacks
Tucson (since 1998)
Schedule

Home Field
Tucson Electric Park (Seating capacity: 11,500)
2500 E. Ajo Way
Tucson, AZ 85713
520-434-1367

Directions (from Tucson)
Take I-10 East to the Kino Parkway North Exit.
Once on Kino Parkway, take a right at the first light, to Ajo Way.
Turn left on Ajo, follow to Forgeus Street, turn right into Tucson Electric Park.

Tickets
Price range: $5 to $16
Buy online or from StubHub! or call 866-672-1343

Did You Know?
Until 2009, Tucson Electric Park was shared by the D-backs and White Sox, who have since moved to Glendale. An indoor batting cage is featured on the lower level of the venue's home clubhouse.

Chicago Cubs
Mesa (since 1979)
Schedule

Home Field
HoHoKam Stadium (13,100)
1235 N. Center St.
Mesa, AZ 85201
480-964-4467

Directions (from Phoenix)
Take 202 Loop east to Exit 12 (McKellips Road).
Turn right on West McKellips Road.
Turn right onto North Center Street.

Tickets
Price range: $7 to $29
Buy online or from StubHub! or call 800-905-3315

Did You Know?
An economic study in 2004 reported that Cubs fans deposit about $20 million annually into Mesa's economy during their spring (well, it's still winter in Chicago!) pilgrimages.

Chicago White Sox
Glendale (since 2009)
Schedule

Home Field
The Ballpark at Camelback Ranch - Glendale (13,000, plus standing room)
10712 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85037
623-877-8585

Directions (from State Route 101)
Take the Loop 101 (Agua Fria Loop) to the Camelback Road exit and head west.
Make a right on 111th Street/Ballpark Boulevard into Camelback Ranch - Glendale.

Tickets
Price range: $8 to $100
Buy online or from StubHub! or call 800-745-3000

Did You Know?
The White Sox, along with the Dodgers, made their debut at Camelback Ranch - Glendale in 2009. The team originally arrived in Arizona before the 1998 season, with the completion of Tucson Electric Park. From 1960-97, the Sox made their spring home in Sarasota, Fla.

Cincinnati Reds
Goodyear (since 2010)
Schedule

Home Field
Goodyear Ballpark (10,311)
1933 S. Ballpark Way
Goodyear, AZ 85338
623-932-6590

Directions (from downtown Phoenix/East Valley)
Drive west on I-10. Exit at Bullard Avenue (Exit 127) and proceed south.
Bullard Avenue will turn into West Lower Buckeye Road.
Stay to the right. Turn right (north) on to Wood Boulevard.

Directions (from West Phoenix/surface streets route)
Drive south on Litchfield Road to Van Buren. Turn west on Van Buren to Bullard Avenue, and go south on Bullard.
Bullard Avenue will turn into West Lower Buckeye Road.
Stay to the right. Turn right (north) on to Wood Boulevard.

Tickets
Price range: $8 to $35
Buy online or from StubHub! or call 877-647-7337

Did You Know?
The Reds bring to 15 the number of clubs that call Arizona their spring home, and are the fourth team -- along with the Dodgers, Indians and White Sox -- to move to the Grand Canyon State in the last two years. With the exception of three World War II seasons (1943 to 1945), the Reds had spent every spring in Florida since 1923.

Cleveland Indians
Goodyear (since 2009)
Schedule

Home Field
Goodyear Ballpark (10,311)
1933 S. Ballpark Way
Goodyear, AZ 85338
623-302-5678

Directions (from downtown Phoenix/East Valley)
Drive west on I-10. Exit at Bullard Avenue (Exit 127) and proceed south.
Bullard Avenue will turn into West Lower Buckeye Road.
Stay to the right. Turn right (north) on to Wood Boulevard.

Directions (from West Phoenix/surface streets route)
Drive south on Litchfield Road to Van Buren. Turn west on Van Buren to Bullard Avenue, and go south on Bullard.
Bullard Avenue will turn into West Lower Buckeye Road.
Stay to the right. Turn right (north) on to Wood Boulevard.

Tickets
Price range: $8 to $35
Buy online or from StubHub! or call 866-488-7423, 480-784-4444 (Phoenix) or 520-321-1000 (Tucson/Flagstaff).

Did You Know?
After residing each spring in Tucson from 1947-92, the Indians moved their headquarters to Winter Haven, Fla., for the next 16 years. Since 2009 the Tribe have been back in Arizona.

Colorado Rockies
Tucson (since 1993)
Schedule

Home Field
Hi Corbett Field (8,665)
3400 E. Camino Campestre
Tucson, AZ 85716
520-327-9467

Directions (from I-10)
Exit at Broadway, head east.
Turn right on Randolph Way.
Hi Corbett is on the right.

Tickets
Price range: $4 to $17
Buy online or from StubHub! or call 800-388-7625

Did You Know?
Hi Corbett Field was constructed in the late 1930s, and was the spring training home of the Cleveland Indians from 1945-92. It was dubbed Hi Corbett Field in 1951, in honor of the state senator instrumental in bringing the Indians to town.

Kansas City Royals
Surprise (since 2003)
Schedule

Home Field
Surprise Stadium (10,500)
15960 N. Bullard Ave.
Surprise, AZ 85374
623-222-2000

Directions (from Phoenix)
Take I-10 west to Highway 101 North.
Take the Grand Avenue or Bell Road exits and head west.
You'll pass through Sun City before you reach Surprise; follow the signs to the ballpark.

Tickets
Price range: $7 to $23
Buy online or from StubHub! or call 480-784-4444 or 520-321-1000

Did You Know?
Surprise Stadium houses the Royals and Rangers; each team has a 37,000-square-foot clubhouse. The Royals spent their spring days in Fort Myers, Fla., from 1969-87, and in Baseball City, Fla., from 1988-2002.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Tempe (since 1993)
Schedule

Home Field
Tempe Diablo Stadium (9,315)
2200 W. Alameda Drive
Tempe, AZ 85282
480-350-5205

Directions (from Phoenix)
Take Broadway Street exit off I-10.
Travel west on Broadway to 48th Street; turn left.
Tempe Diablo Stadium is a half-mile on the left.

Tickets
Price range: $6 to $27.50
Buy online or from StubHub! or call 480-784-4444

Did You Know?
Don't worry about the Angels leaving Tempe. Their current lease agreement extends through 2025. Tempe Diablo Stadium previously housed the Pilots/Brewers (1970-76) and the Mariners (1977-92).

Los Angeles Dodgers
Glendale (since 2009)
Schedule

Home Field
The Ballpark at Camelback Ranch - Glendale (13,000, plus standing room)
10712 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85037
623-302-5400

Directions (from State Route 101)
Take the Loop 101 (Agua Fria Loop) to the Camelback Road exit and head west.
Make a right on 111th Street/Ballpark Boulevard into Camelback Ranch - Glendale.

Tickets
Price range: $8 to $100
Buy online or from StubHub! or call 480-784-4444

Did You Know?
Camelback Ranch - Glendale, which the Dodgers share with the White Sox, includes more than 118,000 square feet of major- and minor-league clubhouse space, 13 full baseball fields and three half-fields. The site also features picturesque walking trails, landscaped grounds, an orange grove, two ponds and a fully stocked lake.

Milwaukee Brewers
Phoenix (since 1998)
Schedule

Home Field
Maryvale Baseball Park (8,000)
3600 N. 51st Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85031
623-245-5500

Directions (from Phoenix)
Take I-10 West to 51st Avenue. North exit. Turn right.
Enter stadium parking lot on 51st Avenue between Thomas Road and Indian School Road.

Tickets
Price range: $8 to $21
Buy online or from StubHub! or call 800-933-7890

Did You Know?
Since the team's inception as the Seattle Pilots, the Brewers have made their spring home in Arizona, jumping from Tempe (1969-72) to Sun City (1973-85) to Chandler (1986-97), before moving to Phoenix in 1998.

Oakland Athletics
Phoenix (since 1979)
Schedule

Home Field
Phoenix Municipal Stadium (8,816)
5999 E. Van Buren St.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
602-392-0074

Directions (from downtown Phoenix)
Head east on I-10.
Take Hwy 202 to Priest Exit.
Go north on Priest.
Phoenix Municipal Stadium will be approximately one mile up from the highway.

Tickets
Price range: $10 to $25
Buy online or from StubHub! or call 877-493-2255

Did You Know?
Municipal Stadium was the site of the first spring training home run hit by Willie Mays. The stadium's foul poles were originally used at the Polo Grounds in New York.

San Diego Padres
Peoria (since 1994)
Schedule

Home Field
Peoria Sports Complex (11,333)
16101 N. 83rd Ave.
Peoria, AZ 85382
800-409-1511

Directions (from I-10)
Take Loop 101 North.
Exit at Bell Road East.
Turn right onto 83rd Avenue.
Go south one block to stadium.

Tickets
Price range: $6 to $23
Buy online or from StubHub! or call 800-677-1227

Did You Know?
In 1994, the Peoria Sports Complex became the first facility shared by two franchises. Before the complex's completion, the Padres trained in Yuma, Ariz.

San Francisco Giants
Scottsdale (since 1984)
Schedule

Home Field
Scottsdale Stadium (10,500)
7408 E. Osborn Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-990-7972

Directions (from Phoenix)
Take I-10 East to Hwy 202 (Exit 147a).
Follow 202 to Exit 3 (Washington St.).
Follow signs to McDowell Road East.
Follow McDowell about three miles to North Scottsdale Road.
Left on Scottsdale to East Drinkwater Boulevard. Turn right.

Tickets
Price range: $8 to $28
Buy online or from StubHub! or call 877-473-4849

Did You Know?
The original Scottsdale Stadium, built in 1956, served as the former spring home of the Orioles, Red Sox, Cubs, A's and Giants. The current facility, built by HOK, is one of the Cactus League's hottest tickets.

Seattle Mariners
Peoria (since 1994)
Schedule

Home Field
Peoria Sports Complex (11,333)
16101 N. 83rd Ave.
Peoria, AZ 85382
800-409-1511

Directions (from I-10)
Take Loop 101 North.
Exit at Bell Road East.
Turn right onto 83rd Avenue.
Go south one block to stadium.

Tickets
Price range: $6 to $23
Buy online or from StubHub! or call 800-677-1227

Did You Know?
Before joining the San Diego Padres at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, the Mariners trained in Tempe, current home of the Angels.

Texas Rangers
Surprise (since 2003)
Schedule

Home Field
Surprise Stadium (10,500)
15850 N. Bullard Ave.
Surprise, AZ 85374
623-594-5600

Directions (from Phoenix)
Take I-10 west to Highway 101 North.
Take the Grand Avenue or Bell Road exits and head west.
You'll pass through Sun City before you reach Surprise; follow the signs to the ballpark.

Tickets
Price range: $7 to $23
Buy online or from StubHub! or call 623-222-2222

Did You Know?
Country singer Charley Pride, who played semi-pro ball in his youth, has worked out at the Rangers' spring training facility for several years. The Rangers spent the majority of their springtimes in Florida at Pompano Beach (1961-86) and Port Charlotte (1987-2002).

• Photo gallery: Southern exposure – Images of spring

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