If you haven’t made your plans already it’s time, guys. Do it now, as we’re currently into the last full week of Spring Training in the Cactus League in Arizona.
The Cactus league started in the mid 40’s but it wasn’t until late 1950s it started to have a large influx of Major League clubs – this year the LA Dodgers and the Cleveland Indians (who return again to AZ) means 15 teams train and play in AZ. Next year the addition of Cincinnati will mean the Cactus League will have an equal number of teams to the Florida based Grapefruit League. Unlike the Florida league – where training camps are across the whole state – the Cactus league benefits because the ball parks are very close to each other mostly around Phoenix area – with the White Sox and Diamondbacks in currently in Tucson but looking to move to Phoenix within the next two years.
Ballpark jewels of the league include the Cubs Hohokam park in Mesa and the SF Giants Spring home in Scottsdale (my personal favorite for the close proximity of some great drinking holes (notably The Rusty Spur) in Old Scottsdale and some outstanding restaurants) – and some beautiful new style ball parks in Surprise (for the Dodgers) and Goodyear (for the Indians). There’s always a great selection of food (some of the mid-western towns have a great selection of sausages – The Milwaukee Brewers Maryvale ballpark even features the same Sausage Race in the 6th Inning as you’ll find in their hometown ballpark). And guys! Let’s not forget the beer. If you are lucky enough you may get to have beer served to you by the now famous Mark the Beer Guy (check out his website here) – and yes, my Dad has all Mark’s Beer Cards from 2003 onwards. He enjoys collecting that kind of stuff.
And while Scottsdale is hardly Paris or Milan (I wouldn’t try to show off your sartorial skills here is what I’m trying to say), it has it’s amazing charms, like the 93(!) year old man at the Saloon by the Giants ballpark who felt up my girlfriend to a rousing rendition of “Piano Man”… at 3 in the afternoon. And the biker bars with shots galore and enough tassles on ones shirt to beat out and pro wrestler from 1987. And if you want to be cultured, check out the Frank Lloyd Wright house. Or go to a Barnes & Noble. It’s that kind of town – you can find either amazing sushi for $100 a head or amazing BBQ for $10.
It’s also great place to get up close to some of the Baseball greats (I got Bonds and Griffey Junior on the same ball on my first day in Arizona a few years back when I was a wee lad) and some of the up-and-coming stars of tomorrow (Note: you’re just as likely to see them relaxing in some the bars after the game with some of the many “cougar cleat-chasers” – a nickname for the older woman who enjoys the ballplayer – and is seen all too often in Arizona this time of year). Although watch what you spend of beers this year, guys. There’s one story floating around about a guy who bought the entire row he was in a beer after he caught a foul ball and it ended up costing him $2000. Crowds this year look like they are down from last year slightly – although weekend games are often sell outs – so grab your sun-block, peanuts and Sharpie and head to the “Valley of the Sun” for a great time while you still can.
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