Play Ball! Spring training begins in Arizona; here’s what to expect this year
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) — On this Field Trip Friday, we’re taking out our baseball bats and headed for the fields as spring training begins in Arizona.
The 2024 Cactus League season started earlier this week and runs through Mar. 26 with 228 games at ten ballparks across Maricopa County. And this year, Good Morning Arizona is at Camelback Ranch, Salt River Fields, and Sloan Park.
“It’s time to play ball,” Cactus League Executive Director Bridget Binsbacher said. “Hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the country will flock to Cactus League ballparks to watch their favorite teams in the dazzling desert sunshine. Generations of baseball fans have fallen in love with Arizona – and Arizona loves to welcome them back every spring.”
Cactus League leaders expect an increase in attendance after the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers met in an All-Cactus League World Series last autumn.
D-backs building on success
As the D-backs gear up for spring training, they’re hoping to build on last season’s successful World Series run. Relief pitcher Ryan Thompson joined Good Morning Arizona, eager to get started on his first spring training in Arizona. Last season, Thompson had 21 strikeouts and even nabbed a save for the D-backs.
Thompson shared what makes the team so special is the support they have for each other, especially during the postseason run. “The excitement that you guys were seeing on TV is the same excitement that we were feeling in the clubhouse. We love each other in the clubhouse, which made it so much more fun. We were cheering each other on and had that passion and excitement each and every day,” he said.
A little of bit of Texas in the West Valley
The West Valley is home to five of the 10 Cactus League stadiums. This year, they’re welcoming back the World Series winner Texas Rangers! We headed out to Surprise Stadium to check out Rangers team shop and talk about impact of having World Series winner’s spring training in the Valley.
Hello, Dodgers!
It was a blockbuster off-season for the Dodgers. Following an ouster by the Diamondbacks last postseason, the Dodgers spent over $300 million on attaining two of the most sought-after players: Shohei Ohtani & Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Spring training fans have a lot to expect from the Dodgers this year. The team made significant changes, hoping it’ll land them a World Series win in 2024 after a “fall from grace” in the postseason last year.
High stakes for Players
Spring training is all fun for anyone going to watch one of the games.. but what you’re actually watching is serious play! The guys on the squad are pitching/catching/batting for a spot on the regular season roster. We’ll be talking with former MLB Pitcher Steve Randolph about the pressures players face.
Meet the “Small Wrigley” Stadium
The Chicago Cubs bring the magic of Wrigley Field to Mesa every Spring Training season with the look & feel of Chicago staple. From a replica of the famous Wrigley sign to the hot dogs - Sloan Park is the Small Wrigley of Arizona! And this year, the park is celebrating ten years.
...and get a taste of it, too!
The Chicago Cubs are celebrating ten years of Sloan Park with new menu items for the Spring Training season! We’re checking out some items to see what they’ve whipped up to feature as new concession items that fans can enjoy at the ballpark this season. Among the new items are carne asada fries and a Vienna beef jalapeño cheddar dog. We’ll take two, please!
Chow down at Salt River Fields!
Don’t forget your food while cheering on the D-backs at Salt River Fields! There will be plenty of new menu items fans can sink their teeth into, including a bacon mac & cheese dog, double smash patty burgers, burrito bowls and delicious Italian nachos. There’s so many items to choose from that you’ll have to get one of each!
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