ARIZONA | BASEBALL
In Arizona, Cactus League baseball is set to begin
For Californians, Cactus League ball, with top players and low prices, isn't far away.
"Play ball!" Major League umpires won't shout those magical words in the Southland for nearly two more months. Can't wait that long? Then plan a jaunt to Arizona, where the Angels and 11 other teams will play in the Cactus League. In late March, they'll be joined by the Dodgers, who are moving their spring training from Florida to Arizona. It's all just a short flight -- or an easy drive -- from L.A. Ticket prices are a real steal, starting around $5 for lawn seating to $25 for a seat behind home plate. Check out schedules at cactusleague.com and springtrainingonline.com.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Home Stadium
Tucson Electric Park,
2500 E. Ajo Way,
Tucson
Schedule/Ticket info
Feb. 28 to March 29
$5 to $16
diamondbacks.mlb.com,
(866) 672-1343 and at the stadium.
The Vibe
Strong pitchers led the D'backs to
the best record in the National League
last year. Look for stellar repeat
performances in '08.
Chicago Cubs
Home Stadium
Hohokam Stadium,
1235 N. Center St., Mesa
Schedule/Ticket info
Feb. 29 to March 27
$6 to $26
cubs.mlb.com,
(800) 905-3315 and at the stadium.
The Vibe
They finished first in the NL Central
Division last year, but a spot in the
World Series continues to elude the Cubbies.
Colorado Rockies
Home Stadium
Hi Corbett Field,
3400 E. Camino Campestre,
Tucson
Schedule/Ticket info
Feb. 29 to March 26
$4 to $17
rockies.mlb.com,
(800) 388-7625 and at the stadium box office.
The Vibe
After handily winning the NL pennant,
the Rockies lost four straight games to the
Red Sox in the World Series. The folks in
Denver are still licking their wounds.
Chicago White Sox
Home Stadium
Tucson Electric Park,
2500 E. Ajo Way, Tucson
Schedule/Ticket info
Feb. 27 to March 27
$5 to $16
whitesox.mlb.com,
(866) 672-1343 and at the stadium.
The Vibe
Chicago's South Siders cringe at the
thought of the team's 72-90 record last year,
the opposite of its 90-72 record in '06. Maybe
the White Sox can split the difference this year.
Kansas City Royals
Home Stadium
Surprise Stadium,
15930 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise
Schedule/Ticket info
March 1 to 26
$7 to $22
royals.mlb.com,
(800) 326-4000 and at the stadium.
The Vibe
All but the top three spots in the Royals'
lineup are still up for grabs, depending
on who's hot during spring training.
Angels
Home Stadium
Tempe Diablo Stadium,
2200 W. Alameda Drive, Tempe
Schedule/Ticket info
Feb. 28 to March 29
$5 to $25
angels.mlb.com,
(480) 784-4444 and at the stadium.
The Vibe
The Angels won the American League
West division title last year but faltered
in the playoffs. Fans hope they'll make
it all the way to the World Series this season.
Dodgers
Home Stadium
Phoenix Municipal Stadium,
5999 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix
(2 games only)
Schedule/Ticket info
March 20 versus White Sox
March 22 versus Angels
$6 to $21
dodgers.mlb.com,
(877) 493-2255 and at the stadium
The Vibe
After 56 years of spring training in Vero
Beach, the Dodgers will play their last
game in Florida on March 18. Next year,
the team will head west to Airzona to train
in a new stadium in the Phoenix suburb
of Glendale. Milwaukee
Home Stadium
Maryvale Baseball Park,
3600 N. 51st Ave., Phoenix
Schedule/Ticket info
Feb. 28 to March 27
$8 to $19
brewers.mlb.com,
(800) 933-7890 and the stadium.
The Vibe
It has been a hard winter in Wisconsin,
so look for flocks of snowbirds in cheesehead
hats at the smallest of the Valley
of the Sun's ballparks.
Oakland Athletics
Home Stadium
Phoenix Municipal Stadium,
5999 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix
Schedule/Ticket info
Feb. 29-March 19
$6-$25
athletics.mlb.com,
(877) 493-2255 and at the stadium.
The Vibe
The A's play in one of the area's older
ballparks, much improved by an
$8-million renovation three years ago.
San Diego Padres
Home Stadium
Peoria Sports Complex,
16101 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria
Schedule/Ticket info
Feb. 29 to March 26
$6 to $23
padres.mlb.com,
(800) 677-1227 and at the stadium.
The Vibe
The Padres share Peoria Stadium with the
Mariners; it has nearly 13,000 seats.
Many also think it's the best place to watch a game.
San Francisco Giants
Home Stadium
Scottsdale Stadium,
7408 E. Osborn Road,
Scottsdale
Schedule/Ticket info
Feb. 28 to March 25
$8 to $28
giants.mlb.com,
(877) 473-4849 and at the stadium.
The Vibe
The Giants hope to improve on their
last-place finish in the NL West to mark
the 50th anniversary of the team's
move to San Francisco.
Seattle Mariners
Home Stadium
Peoria Sports Complex,
16101 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria
Schedule/Ticket info
Feb. 28 to March 27
$6 to $23
mariners.com,
(800) 677-1227 and at the stadium.
The Vibe
Thanks to some big off-seasontrades,
the Mariners expect to go from strength to strength.
Texas Rangers
Home Stadium
Surprise Stadium,
15930 N. Bullard Ave.,
Surprise
Schedule/Ticket info
Feb. 29 to March 27
$7 to $22
texasrangers.com,
(480) 784-4444 and at the stadium.
The Vibe
The Rangers finished last -- 19 games behind
the Angels -- in '07, so the only way to go is up.
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