With the season’s change comes Spring Training, a time for Major and Minor League baseball teams to fine-tune skills before the season commences—the pop of catcher’s mitts and the crack of the bat and birds chirping. However, in the past two seasons, I have been in and around the Cactus League to get a glimpse at all facilities based on fan experience, food, team stores, and chances to get an autograph from your favorite player.
SURPRISE STADIUM
Teams: Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers
Year built: 2002
I visited Surprise Stadium, home to the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers. In terms of accessibility, this facility takes home my Golden Star. Despite it’s nondescript appearance on the outside, the facade for a backdrop is excellent.
All minor league and major league facilities for both teams are within just a few steps of from one another. The big league facilities on one side of the complex are chock full of pitch tracking apparatuses and the minor league has their own set of rudimentary radar guns. No additional fencing limits you from going to where you want to be. Regarding the food options, the typical fare of hotdogs, beer, nachos, and other ballpark regulars is abundant; I opted for a different route in the Korean BBQ taco box. While certainly not a good deal for a hefty $15 for two tacos, the flavor ultimately justifies it. If you want to hear the intensive and booming sound of F-35s and F-18s flying overhead you have come to the right place. It’s worth mentioning that the ballpark is located ten minutes from Luke Air Force Base. As it relates to the team store, both teams provided a reasonable range of hats, but the jersey selection was lackluster; there were only two choices of either a home white or dark blue alternate Royals jersey available but only in kids’ sizes.
Will you get autographs?: Players will walk right by you to get an autograph, and stopping them is a simple task.
Rating: 10/10
Sloan Park
Teams: Chicago Cubs
Year built:2014
The facility is the Cactus League’s newest ballpark, in stark contrast to the historic nature of the 110-year-old Wrigley Field. Built in 2014, the Stadium’s charm is inspiring with notable similarities to Wrigley Field. Whether it be the scoreboard or the green awnings and gables, it feels like you are on the North Side of Chicago.
With it being the Cubs facility, Chicago hot dogs and Polish sausage are the most commonplace items among the stadium’s concessions. You can certainly feel the livelihood of the ballpark as this facility sells out nearly every game as most Chicagoans flee cold winter to make their way to Mesa, Arizona. The sheer saltiness of the Polish sausage was the only downside of that sunny Arizona afternoon. The Cubs team store is leaps and bounds above any store within the Cactus League. With its large size, the selection of jerseys, hats, and many other souvenirs is plenty.
Will I get autographs? The stadium’s newness provides conveniently adjacent practice fields and accessibility for autograph seekers.
Rating: 9/10
Peoria Sports Complex
San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners
Year built:1994
Taking a leisurely stroll around the ballpark and the surrounding complex feels extremely spacious and a great feeling seeing a large group of diehard fans.The facilities the Padres and Mariners call home are really tremendous, as accessibility is immaculate.
Other than small amounts of rope cordoning private areas, fans have free range. As per the team store, the selection on hand rivals that of a direct team retailer. The massive selection took me aback. The selection on hand has all you ever imagine, from the Mariners’ teal alternate jersey to their City Connect, road grays, and the home whites. The selection of Padres jerseys is similar minus their camouflage alternates. The shop has a plethora of hats at your disposal. With food here, however, the selections are dismal at best. I opted for an atypical option and had a brisket sandwich, which was undoubtedly a great deal for $13. Other than the sandwich, which was passable, it came alongside a side of mac and cheese and a chocolate chip cookie.
Will I get autographs?:Autograph hunting hasn’t been easier than this. Even more conveniently players can walk right by down the right field line and give autographs to fans waiting behind a fence.
Rating: 8/10
Scottsdale Stadium
San Francisco Giants
Year built: 1992
While one of the older facilities was built in 1992, the complex doesn’t hold merit to many other stadiums. While other facilities have connected pathways leading to other practice fields, everything related to the big leaguers in this facility is in-house. The Giants do not share their facility with any other team.
Catching a game at Scottsdale Stadium is certainly a fun time, with scenic views of Camelback Mountain down the third base line. As per concessions, the Giants Dog is a solid all-beef bratwurst with a strong meaty taste with hints of charred crispiness. However, the Giants team store down the first base line provides a ranging selection of jerseys for backup outfielders and middle relievers with sizes for the whole family. A wide selection of fitted and sun hats line the shelves awaiting purchase from fans.
Will I get autographs?: Whether it be pandemic restrictions or not, the accessibility to see your favorite players is hard to come by. Fencing is in abundance in and around the practice fields.
Rating: 7/10
Tempe Diablo Stadium
Los Angeles Angels
Year built: 1969
One of the worst stadiums is Tempe Diablo Stadium, home to the Los Angeles Angels. The oldest facility within the Cactus League, definitely shows its age with its limited seating and clustered parking lot. The accessibility of in and around the ballpark is nonexistent.
While you can have an exceptionally simple view overlooking half of the team’s facilities, it abruptly stops there. The lacklusterness doesn’t just stop there. In terms of food options, limited choices are presented for spectators. It is to find a respite from the blaring Arizona sunshine as finding shade is a dime a dozen. The Angels team shop was lackluster, but the only positive to come out was that Spring Training t-shirts from season’s past were a respectable $20 within the clearance bin.
Will I get autographs?: Steel barricades make it impossible to get autographs. Stadium security ever since the pandemic, this measure had to come into play due to the abundance of player safety or health reasons.
Rating: 2/10
