Spring Training at Scottsdale Stadium

Another boon to Scottsdale, Arizona real-estate values is the spring training facility at Scottsdale Stadium.  Located in vibrant downtown Scottsdale real estate next to Old Town, Scottsdale Stadium is the most popular venue to watch a baseball game in the Cactus League.

Spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games commonly used by Major League Baseball teams before the start of the regular season.  It allows new players to audition for roster and position spots and offers practice time for everyone.  Today, all major league teams use facilities in the warmer states of Arizona (the Cactus League) and Florida (the Grapefruit League).  Spring training lasts from the end of February through March.  Pitchers and catchers report a week or two before players from other positions arrive for team practice.

In modern training, teams that train in Arizona play other Arizona training teams in their exhibition games.  They also play teams from Arizona State University, minor league baseball clubs, intra-squad games, split-squad games, and B Games, which are unofficial Spring Training games.

The following teams are in the Cactus League in the Greater Phoenix area:  Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and in 2010 the Cincinnati Reds.  Two more clubs hold Spring Training in Tucson:  Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies.

A modernized Scottsdale Stadium replaced the facility that housed several major league teams since World War II ended.  After residents of homes in Scottsdale approved an $8M bond issue in 1991, the 1946-era original stadium at the corner of Osborn and Drinkwater work began to demolish and replace Scottsdale Stadium.  A beautiful new design by HOK Architects provided a spacious concourse and 12,000 seats, including berm seating.  Field dimensions are left field, 360 feet; right field, 330 feet; center field, 430 feet with a 10-foot high outfield fence.

In 2006, another $23M, made available through Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, Maricopa County Stadium District, and the City of Scottsdale, funded a walkway connecting the berms, full and half practice fields, and VIP seating for season ticket holders in the Charro Lodge pavilion and terrace in right field over the bullpen.  The Giants signed on until 2025 with an option to extend an additional ten years.

For more information about luxury real estate in the area, contact LUXE Real Estate Group at 1-888-900-LUXE.