The Cactus League: Arizona’s Spring Training

The Valley has been fortunate to have major league baseball spring training for several decades now, dating back to the origins of the Cactus League in the 1940s. Since the creation of the Cactus League, the greater Phoenix area has seen spring training become one of the most unique events in all of sports.

The Cactus League consists of fifteen teams and ten locations spread out from Avondale to Mesa. Every spring, fans can go to each location and see their favorite teams return to action from what may feel like a long winter without baseball. Fans get to witness star players get back into form for the upcoming season as well as minor league players and talented newcomers.

Getting to see players who could be future starters for major league teams is one of the most unique things about spring training.

“I think that’s one of the things that fans really love,” says David Dunne, manager of Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

Last season, Arizona Diamondback fans got to see minor league talent Paul Goldschmidt during spring training, tying and winning games with stellar performances at the plate. Later in the regular season, when the Diamondbacks were trying to win their division, the team promoted Goldschmidt to the major league roster. Goldschmidt proved himself just as he did during spring training, hitting a game-winning triple in September to help the Diamondbacks beat the San Francisco Giants and win the division. This is just one example of how special spring training in the Cactus League can be.

“That’s the beauty of spring training,” Dunne says. “Fans get to see some guys they might not get to see normally, and then those guys become big-time major league players quickly.”

Two other reasons why the Cactus League is beloved by baseball fans are the location and facilities. Some of these baseball facilities are among the best in the sport, either having withstood the test of time or dazzling fans with their new improvements.

One of the facilities responsible for making spring training popular in the community is Peoria Sports Complex. The complex, built in 1994, was the first to be shared by two major league teams. Not only does the complex give baseball fans a chance to enjoy the sport they cherish but it is also surrounded by restaurants, theaters, and shops. Peoria Sports Complex manager Chris Easom is thankful for the location.

“The development around the park makes us a viable location to not only have spring training but have events year round,” Easom says.

Easom once worked with the Grapefruit League, the other MLB spring training league. and states that it may take up to three hours to visit two parks in Florida, whereas it may be only a 35-to-40-minute drive in the Valley.

“The good thing about the Cactus League is everybody is so close,” Easom says. “In general, it makes it so easy to go from park to park.”

One of the possible drives to make would be from Peoria Sports Complex to Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, home of the Diamondbacks in spring training. Last season, the Diamondbacks were the most watched team in the league, averaging the best attendance in what was a new stadium at Salt River Fields. The Colorado Rockies, who share the facility with the Diamondbacks, were second in attendance. The new facility looks to continue hosting sellout crowds this season.

“The design is beautiful, and the location is fantastic,” Dunne says. “With the great season the Diamondbacks had this past year, we expect it to be even bigger this year.”

“They did it about as good as you could do it,” Easom says of Salt River Field’s success last spring training. “They got the local team there, and who knew the Rockies would draw as well as they did? They definitely cranked it up.”

The Valley certainly is lucky to have a special event in sports with spring training. With the location, facilities, and great fans, spring training will continue to call Arizona home for years to come.