Goodyear Ballpark

As of February 25, 2009 - sixteen years after their last Florida move - Cleveland Indians spring training returned to the Cactus League when the team played their first Arizona ball game at the new, $108 million Goodyear Ballpark complex.

Goodyear Ballpark is home to both Cleveland Indians spring training and Reds spring training

Goodyear Stadium became a two-team facility when Cincinnati Reds spring training moved to Goodyear in 2010.

This means that both of Ohio's Major League Baseball teams play in Arizona as well as share the same spring training site.

Their spacious ballpark seats 10,000 fans, has ample parking, a ground level concourse, the largest Jumbotron in the Cactus League, and public art.

A large plaza, which serves as the main gate, has water fountains and a 60-foot, 6-inch high baseball statue that replicates the distance between home plate and the pitcher's mound.

Families should love this baseball stadium as there's plenty to keep kids entertained including a Wiffle-ball field in the right field corner and a large open area in the left field corner where kids can run around.

A family-fun zone has baseball-themed activities and a miniature baseball diamond for kids.

Although the town of Goodyear is some distance from other Greater Phoenix spring training locations, it's a growing city with plenty of the farm fields that developers love to build on.

Named after the Ohio-based tire manufacturer, Goodyear has grown rapidly in the past few years.

And while Goodyear no longer has operations in the town, many other industries, including Lockheed and Macy's, have set up shop.

The ballpark is the first project in the town's master development plan that includes the city's future Goodyear City Center near the baseball complex.

The size of the 60-foot, 6-inch baseball sculpture in front of Goodyear Ballpark Arizona equals the distance between home plate and the pitcher's mound

The Goodyear Ballpark future development plans include an attached, mixed-use "ballpark village" with shops, restaurants, residences, offices and a hotel/conference center.

Just ¼ mile south of the Goodyear Ballpark is the 100-acre Goodyear Recreational Sports Complex.

The complex houses the clubhouse and player development facilities and practice fields for both the Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds.

When Cleveland Indians spring training and Reds spring training is not in session, parts of the sports complex is available for recreational leagues' games and special events.

A 500-seat right field party deck area offers top notch views of the action, with a massive bar on wheels that has "all you-can-eat" special events. This is also a good spot to watch the players come and go.

Much of the seating is "bowl style" seating, set below the concourse level, giving an open feel that allows you to actually see the players' faces.

The vertical grandstand has some of the best seats to watch a game. The top floor of the grandstand has great views too.

For shaded seating, the club seating down the left-field line is covered by a canopy. This is sections 106A, 106B and 107A they are entirely shaded. Club seats are wider, padded and offer in-seat wait service.

Also, the three-story grandstand will throw shade on the seats at the back of the seating area.

There's traditional ballpark fare like Ohio-style hot dogs at Hot Dog Nation (located behind home plate). The Show is a grill located in the outfield that has hamburgers, chili cheese fries and fried bologna on a stick.

Pizzaiolo, set inside the first base entrance, serves simple pizzas, burgers and chicken sandwiches.

Tamales offers Mexican & Southwestern specialties such as overstuffed burritos, Indian tacos and nachos grande. It's located inside the Third Base Entrance.

The practice fields are not at the ballpark but instead are ¼-mile south at the new Goodyear Recreational Complex.

For the inaugural season, access to players at their practice fields was limited because of the fence set along first base. So, the best bet for getting autographs was to catch players while they were going to and from the practice fields.

A big complaint of fans was the "high security" feeling of the complex. Not only was it near impossible for fans to get an autograph, they also couldn’t even get close enough to catch a home run ball or see batting practice.

In response to the complaints about lack of player access, the Indians and Reds announced that they would open a new fan access area in 2010.

Set off of practice field 1, this new area gives fans the potential of getting autographs and photos of the players.

The fan access area is free and open daily at 9:00 a.m. during spring training (all practice dates and times are subject to change).

Estrella Mountain Park is a popular picnic spot

Estrella Mountain Regional Park (14805 West Vineyard Avenue, Goodyear; 623-935-2505) encompasses 19,840 acres of Sonoran Desert and the rugged Star Mountains - called Sierra Estrella in Spanish and known for their white quartz outcroppings.

You can't miss the imposing mountains' profile on the southern Goodyear horizon.

There are 8 mixed-use trails stretching out over 33 miles, perfect for hiking, backpacking and horseback riding.

The park, which is near the meeting of the Gila and Agua Fria Rivers, has a wetland area that's great for birdwatching. The Gila River flows through the park and is popular for fishing.

Amateur astronomers will enjoy the "Stargazing for Everyone Program" offered on scheduled evenings in the park.

In addition to open space, Estrella Mountain Regional Park also has a wide variety of recreational facilities in the developed section of the park.

Campgrounds, two baseball fields, a golf course, a 9.5-mile competitive track, a large horse staging area, and a professional rodeo arena gives a little something for just about every type of visitor.

Notably, the park also has the only grass picnic area in the Maricopa County Park system.

Keep an eye out for cacti like this barrel cactus when you hike at White Tank Mountain Regional Park

About 10 miles northwest of Goodyear near the town of Waddell is White Tank Mountain Regional Park (13025 North White Tank Road, Waddell; 632-935-2505).

It has the distinction of being the largest park in the Maricopa County system at nearly 30,000 acres.

The forces of nature have sculpted this rugged area into deep canyons and craggy peaks that rise over 4,000 feet.

Strong rains and flash floods have carved natural basins - or tanks - in the exposed white granite of the canyons, giving the mountains their name.

A highlight of the park is the one-mile Waterfall Trail, named for a seasonal waterfall that sometimes gushes over the rocks here.

This path also has trail-side petroglyph panels created long ago by the ancient Hohokam people as well as cacti and wildflowers in spring.

Eleven major trails, a 10-mile competitive track, campgrounds, picnic areas and a stargazing program make White Tank Mountain Park a popular outdoor escape.

Palms line the entrance of Palm Valley Pavilions

If shopping is your preferred form of recreation, then head over to the Palm Valley Pavilions Shopping Center.

This large retail complex is split into two units - West and East - on either side of North Litchfield Road in between the I-10 freeway and West McDowell Road.

The shopping center includes Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Ross, Target, Michael's and the Palm Valley Cinema.

Paradise Bakery in the Centerpointe Shopping Center

Paradise is a chain of cafes found in several states.

In spite of its chain status, we always enjoy having lunch at one of its several outlets. The Goodyear branch is in the Centerpointe Shopping Center.

Paradise Bakery's food is fresh and quickly prepared and the service is always friendly and efficient.

The menu includes a variety of sandwiches, salads, soups, pastries, fresh baked bread and coffees. They're open for breakfast too.

Located in the Palm Valley Pavilions West Shopping Center, Wildflower Bread Company (1380 North Litchfield Road; 623-935-1131) is part of an Arizona chain of eateries that serves a great, inexpensive meal.

They're open for lunch and dinner but we always seem to head there for their tasty breakfasts.

Their lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberry compote are absolutely delicious.

Wildflower also serves sandwiches, salads, soups and pasta as well as pastries and breads.

Taste of Italy is currently the closest restaurant to Goodyear Ballpark

Macayo's Mexican Kitchen (1474 N Litchfield Road; 632-209-7000), also in the Palm Valley Pavilions West Shopping Center, is an outlet of the family restaurant turned successful Mexican food chain.

They serve hearty platters of tacos, burros, fajitas and chimichangas and have a large margarita menu.

Other Goodyear restaurants to try include:

• Roman's Oasis Sports Grill (16825 West Yuma Road; 623-932-0922),
• Nakama Sushi Restaurant (13215 W. McDowell Road; 623-935-3809),
• Taste of Italy Pizza (3810 South Estrella Parkway; 623-932-2272), the closest restaurant to the ballpark.

Cleveland Indians Spring Training Tickets

Location:   The Goodyear Ballpark is located two miles south of I-10, south of Yuma Road on the east side of South Estrella Parkway. The City of Goodyear is located 20 miles southwest of Phoenix just off of Interstate 10. From I-10 take the Estrella Parkway exit south.

See a map of the Greater Phoenix Spring Training Locations

Goodyear Ballpark Address:   1933 South Ballpark Way Goodyear, Arizona 85338

Phone:   Ballpark Info: 623-882-3120

Number of Seats:   10,000 total.

Note: This information was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, availability, access, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the organization/ballpark before making reservations and/or travel plans.

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