Spring Training in AZ
You Know its Spring when Baseball's Cactus League Returns for Spring Training in Arizona
Spring training in AZ is one of the state's most eagerly anticipated events.
In fact, spring training and Arizona (AZ) are like hot dogs and baseball. You just can’t have one without the other. Major League Baseball’s annual spring training is one of the things that make Arizona such a popular travel destination in March. Arizona’s sunny skies and balmy weather – at a time when much of the rest of the country is still under a blanket of snow – brings vacationers and baseball players to get warmed up in preparation for the summer months. Even Arizonans get into spring training in AZ, playing hooky from work, school and other obligations to enjoy a day under the sun, watching one or more of the over 150 Arizona spring training games.
What is Spring Training in AZ?
For those who aren’t familiar, Major League Baseball holds a series of pre-season games in warm and sunny climates for about one month before the regular baseball season begins.  | | Fans have a chance to see twelve teams play baseball during spring training in Arizona (Photo: iStockphoto) | This yearly event is known as spring training or baseball spring training camps. All of the professional teams head south to play practice games against each other as well as warm up for the baseball season. These games do not count as regular season games and, therefore, have no bearing on who will go to the World Series. This is also the time for teams to try out a large number of players before deciding on a final roster for the regular season, which begins in April. Professional baseball spring training is split into two leagues – the Grapefruit League, which is held in Florida, and Arizona’s Cactus League. From the end of February to the end of March, twelve baseball teams come to spring training in Arizona, playing in nine different stadiums in seven different cities across the Phoenix area and in Tucson. Roughly 1.2 million fans fill stadiums - and Arizona roads - for a first look at their favorite teams. Many baseball fans like spring training in AZ because you can get up closer to the players in the more intimate setting of spring training stadiums – getting autographs and watching the players train and play every day. Check out our Arizona spring training baseball stadiums and teams page for an overview of the Cactus League and how to get tickets. Want to take a spring training vacation? See our Arizona Spring Training Tips page for information on lodging, getting tickets and Arizona weather in March.

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