The wonderful thing about Major League Baseball is you don’t have to wait long for the next season to start. Players will report soon to training facilities in Arizona for the start of the Cactus League spring training schedule. This year, the schedule begins on Feb. 23 and runs through late March.
Cactus League 2018
All 30 teams play in either the Cactus League in Arizona or Grapefruit League in Florida, with 15 teams in each. MLB provides a handy site to track down specific games in the schedule as well as a place to buy tickets.
The following is a quick rundown of the Cactus League teams and where they play.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – Tempe
The Angels play their home spring training games at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The Angels have played there since 1993 and have a lease to stay in the stadium until 2025.
Arizona Diamondbacks – Scottsdale
The Diamondbacks play their home spring training games at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, which is the first spring training field build on Native American land in the United States.
Chicago Cubs – Mesa
The Cubs play their home games at Sloan Park in Mesa. Don’t bring a noise maker or a drone.
Cincinnati Reds – Goodyear
The Reds play at Goodyear Ballpark, a field they share with fellow Ohio team the Indians.
Cleveland Indians – Goodyear
Before moving to Goodyear Park, the Indians’ spring training home was at Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Fla.
Colorado Rockies – Scottsdale
The Rockies share Salt River Fields with the division-rival Diamondbacks.
Chicago White Sox – Glendale
The White Sox play their spring training home games at Camelback Ranch-Glendale, not far from the University of Phoenix Stadium that is home to the Arizona Cardinals. They share the stadium with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kansas City Royals – Surprise
The Royals, who once held spring training at Baseball City in Florida, now play home spring training games in Surprise Stadium about 25 miles outside Phoenix.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Glendale
The Dodgers will begin putting tipped pitches behind them and move on to the new season at Camelback Ranch-Glendale stadium.
Milwaukee Brewers – Phoenix
The Brewers play home spring training games at Maryvale Stadium on the west side of Phoenix.
Oakland Athletics – Mesa
The Athletics play their home spring training games in one of the best-named baseball stadiums, Hohokam Stadium in Mesa.
San Diego Padres – Peoria
The Padres play their home spring training games at the Peoria Sports Complex, just north of Glendale. They share the field with the Seattle Mariners.
San Francisco Giants – Scottsdale
The Giants play their home spring training games at Scottsdale Stadium.
Seattle Mariners – Peoria
The Mariners share the Peoria Sports Complex with the Padres
Texas Rangers – Surprise
The Rangers share Surprise Stadium with the Royals.
If you have never attended a spring training game, it’s something every baseball fan should add to their “must do” list. The atmosphere is laid back and you’ll never get a closer seat to the action. It’s basically the perfect vacation for a fan of the game.
Strike em out