Spring training is an exciting time in baseball. Players begin to get back in action, fans get to see what the new players on their team can do, and most importantly, it means the actual baseball season will be starting very soon after. There are two leagues for spring training: the Cactus League in Arizona and the Grapefruit League in Florida.
The teams in the Cactus League are the Diamondbacks, Cubs, White Sox, Reds, Guardians, Rockies, and Royals. As well as the Angels, Dodgers, Brewers, Athletics, Padres, Giants, Mariners and Rangers. The Cactus League has ten different stadiums.
The teams in the Grapefruit League are the Braves, Orioles, Red Sox, Tigers, Astros, Marlins, and Twins. As well as the Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Pirates, Cardinals, Rays, Blue Jays, and Nationals. The Grapefruit League has 13 different stadiums.
Here are a few training complexes in both of the leagues.
Cactus League
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, Salt River Fields is home to the Diamondbacks and the Rockies. The complex has 12 practice fields and training facilities for both teams. This complex has led the league in attendance for the past seven years. It is the only spring training complex to have 300,000 fans in attendance in a season.
Peoria Sports Complex
The San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners share their training complex in Peoria, Arizona. It was the first complex to be home to two teams. In 2014, both of the teams’ clubhouses underwent renovations. They now have media space, weight training, and more. The complex has a playground for kids as well as shaded seating, and many other amenities.
Hohokam Stadium
The Oakland Athletics have spring training at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Arizona. When the A’s moved here in 2015 they did a big renovation. They added new fan decks, a huge video board, and more. In addition to the stadium, there are other fields and batting cages. Down the street from the complex is Fitch Park. The A’s also use that space for training.
Grapefruit League
George M. Steinbrenner Field
The New York Yankees’ spring training is held at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. The field is named after the previous owner of the team who passed away in 2010. Similar to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, there is a monument park with the retired Yankee numbers. Of all the teams in the Grapefruit League, the Yankee’s complex has the most seating, which includes luxury suites.
Ed Smith Stadium
Ed Smith Stadium, located in Sarasota, Florida, is the training complex for the Orioles. The team moved here in 2010 from Fort Lauderdale. At this complex, there are four training fields and batting cages. There are over 7,000 seats that they acquired from Oriole Park in Baltimore. The entrance into the stadium is behind home plate, allowing you to get a view of the whole field upon entrance.
Lee Health Sports Complex
Home to the Minnesota Twins, this complex has a stadium and five other fields. The stadium is named after Bill Hammond, the Deputy County Commissioner who helped get the complex built. There are many things for fans to do at the stadium such as walk across the boardwalk and a beer garden.
Edited by Shaniya Scales
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