There is almost no better way to get ready for the upcoming MLB season than to attend spring training.
Since Feb. 20, spring training has been taking place at various different ballparks in Arizona and Florida with 15 teams competing in each state. Spring training in Florida is known as the Grapefruit League while the one in Arizona is called the Cactus League.
I had the opportunity to go to three games in Arizona this past week to enjoy some baseball and talk to fans about their spring training experiences. From those conversations, I picked up three key reasons why dedicated or even casual fans should come to these games.
Seeing their favorite teams play for cheap
The way both leagues are set up helps accommodate for the distance eager fans have to travel to see their team.
Out of the 15 teams in the Cactus League, there are five from the National League (NL) West division, four from the American League (AL) West division, three from the NL Central division, and three from the AL central division.
For the most part, teams located in the western and central parts of the United States play in Arizona while all the teams out east and in other parts of the central United States play in Florida.
Even though traveling can get expensive real quick, ticket prices are easily the most affordable part about attending spring training. The best seats typically range from $20 to $40, but other seats can be as low as $6.
It is a bargain in comparison to regular season games which can range from the high doubl- digits to hundreds of dollars, depending on the quality of the seats and the ballpark. Affordable ticket pricing is a key incentive for fans to keep coming back.
Reasonable traveling and ticket pricing brings me to my interaction with a Cleveland Guardians fan. He was originally from Cleveland, Ohio, but is now residing in Portland, Ore.
“I have been coming to their spring training games for nine years,” said the Guardians fan. He also mentioned he loves to visit other ballparks to watch other teams.
"Prices are great even with inflation going on," the Guardians fan added when I asked about spring training prices.
This fan opened my eyes to distances people are willing to travel for these spring training games because it will not empty out their pockets to see their team in action.
Oregon is at least on the west coast, but people from the midwest came out as well. During a Los Angeles Angels-Cincinnati Reds game, I found a family of Reds fans who indeed came all the way from Cincinnati to watch them play. I was impressed at the level of dedication these fans showed based on coming from areas not in Arizona and that spring training is essentially MLB preseason.
Create lasting memories with friends and family
Going to games by yourself can still bring joy. However, I found that spring training is much more enjoyable when you go with your beloved friends and family. Many fans I saw were smiling, soaking in the sun, treating themselves to concessions, and creating memories with those they love.
Because of affordable ticket prices, spring training naturally creates a family-friendly environment for those who cannot afford or are willing to go deep in their wallet to go to regular season games. Whether your team is winning or not, the atmosphere remains jovial.
Some fans try to get more from their experience than just purely watching the games with their loved ones. I asked a Reds fan about her favorite memories from spring training, and her answer was not family related.
“I caught a ball from a Reds player today,” she said. “That is definitely be up there me.”
It was unintentionally great timing that I asked this the same day this happened for her. That is one of the more unbeatable memories to have. No matter how old you are, you cannot help be feel gleeful getting to take home a ball as a souvenir.
Come for the love of the game
There are certainly fans who just flat-out love the game of baseball. Spring training is a very unique time where you get to see an abundance of playing time from each of the organization’s top prospects in addition to the stars getting their reps.
“I watch for the love of the game. I love watching the stars and all the prospects try to earn a roster spot,” said a local Angels fan.
He has been going to Angels spring training since the days of Vladimir Guerrero, who played on the Angels from 2004-2009. Since he was a local from Phoenix, you could either chalk it up as convenience or not taking spring training for granted and still go every year for almost two decades. Either way, the consistency is admirable.
The last opportunity to spring training game will be March 25, which is two days before the season begins.