Standing at my father’s side, with our right hands over our hearts, we waited for the end of the public address system’s screeching of the National Anthem at Briggs Stadium. And, for those magical words, “Play Ball!” My excitement, anticipation, and wide eyes, watched the Detroit Tigers’ starting pitcher throw that first ball toward the batters box. “Is it a strike, a ball, an infield hit, or a long ball to center field?”

I was only nine or ten, but thoroughly hooked on the game, and on my team. I knew all the players’ names, positions, batting averages and the team’s won/lost statistics. I cut out the back of the Wheaties, Breakfast of Champions, box when a Detroit Tiger appeared. Like a true Tigers fan, I hated “them damn Yankees.”

I grew up, had a family, moved to California, and the Detroit Tigers took a bleacher seat on my list of things to care about. Then, in 1981, I met a friend from Detroit for a vacation in Florida. As we came back from the Florida Keys we drove up to a local baseball stadium in Lakeland. The Detroit Tigers were in spring training. We watched about an hour of the practice session, and drove on. It’s one of those memories, like standing at attention waiting for the “Play Ball!” announcement, that sticks.

When my avid sports fan husband and I were traveling in our Roadtrek 190 RV throughout the Southwest United States. We planned our trip so that we could be in Arizona during the opening of spring training in February, and catch an exhibition game if possible. We weren’t sure which teams and players we would see. I knew it wouldn’t be the Detroit Tigers in the Cactus League.

The spring training schedule wasn’t out before we left Oregon in November. I ran out a copy of the previous year’s schedule to get some idea about timing. Later, I would go back to the web site, or we would be there. By way of example, last year the Colorado Rockies’ pitchers and catchers reported February 16 to the Hi Corbett Field in Tucson. Position players reported February 18, and full workouts began February 19. The Rockies first exhibition game at Hi Corbett was Thursday, March 1, against the Diamonbacks.

Once we arrived in Tucson, we picked up a list with maps and times for practice sessions in the area. When we got to the field we were given rosters of players and a schedule of exhibition games, with ticket purchase information. We were at the Hi Corbett Field, watching the Colorado Rockies rookies and stars batting, pitching and catching. Players, manager, and coaches catered to the fans, posing for candid shots, signing bats, balls or anything presented to them for their autograph. Kids, young and old, waited with gloved hands outside the fenced areas, to catch balls heading their way.

After checking the schedule of exhibition games, we decided to buy tickets for the Cubs vs. Mariners opener in Mesa, Arizona. We were amazed at how Mesa has been turned into a baseball town. It wasn’t easy finding RV space, but we did find a spot for the one night. It would have been wise to plan ahead.

The stadium was packed. We saw Sammy Sosa play a couple of innings. The purpose of the spring training is to give the rookies coming up from the minor leagues a chance to show what they can do. Some of the Mariners (our team) stars each played for a couple of innings. We left at the beginning of the seventh inning because we were sitting in the sun and it was time to move along.

Most of the time it’s fun to hit the open road without scheduled stops. But, for baseball fans who want to see their favorite teams in training or exhibition games, and need a space to park an RV, planning ahead is recommended. Here are some planning tips:

1. The best source of information is Spring Training Magazine. Go to their web site at www.springtrainingmagazine.com. This site provides a list of teams in the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues. The Grapefruit League trains in Florida and the Cactus League trains in Arizona. Click on your favorite team for training sites and maps, as well as game schedules, ticket information, and ballpark maps. Most MLB club web sites offer restaurant and hotel information.

2. RV sites, now that’s something you have to research on your own once you know where you’re going. RV space can be at a premium near game sites. Some RV parks may have shuttle buses to training and game sites. You may wish to check city bus routes and schedules as well. Many people already travel to these exhibition games every year. Loyal Cubs, Tigers, Indians and others from all over the country prefer the warmer climate in winter.

3. For other attractions in the area, contact the local tourism bureau in plenty of time to get your requested information by return mail. Here are some of the other web sites for pre-season and regular season team information: www.sports.yahoo.com, www.sportsline.com, www.majorleaguebaseball.com, and www.cnnsi.com. These web sites are more interesting during regular season when you can access current statistics, lineups and detailed news reports.

4. Remember, to get a head start, you may have to make your plans based on the previous year’s schedule and locations. However, you will have a good idea where your team will play, and know where and when you can access the final schedule. You can always contact the team headquarters for the most up-to-date information.

Never again do you have to wait for opening day of the regular season to “root, root, root for the home team.” Now, you can just drop by a spring training camp or catch an exhibition game while traveling the highways and byways of the sunnier states in winter.
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Play Ball! It’s Spring. (McDonald)
Sidebar

MLB Spring Training History Highlights

The Arizona Cactus Spring Training League hosts National League Clubs: Brewers, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Giants, Padres and Rockies; and American League Clubs: Angels, Athletics, Mariners and White Sox.

The Florida Grapefruit Spring Training League hosts National League Clubs: Astros, Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers, Expos, Marlins, Mets, Phillies, Pirates and Reds; and American League Clubs: Blue Jays, Devil Rays, Indians, Orioles, Rangers, Red Sox, Royals, Tigers, Twins and Yankees.

Where and when spring training happens hasn’t always been so well organized.
During the 1930s nearly all major league baseball players and rookies reported for spring training in either Florida or California. Exceptions were teams playing as far south as Mexico City, Puerto Rico, and Havana, Cuba. Others scattered among southern states.

The Arizona Cactus League had its beginnings in 1945, when the Cleveland Indians persuaded the New York Giants to join them for spring training in Tucson. It would more than 10 years later before there was a major league baseball franchise club west of St. Louis. The Grapefruit League dates back to 1914.

The westward movement for spring training camps began in 1903, when the Chicago Cubs went to Los Angeles. Then, two years later to Santa Monica. They bounced around the country until their stint in Pasadena from 1917 to 1921.

William Wrigley Jr., the chewing gum king, bought into the Cubs in 1916, and later bought into Catalina Island property 26 miles off the coast of California. As a result of his influence, the Cubs held spring training on the Island from 1921 to 1951. After several years of bad weather the Cubs chose Mesa, Arizona – where they still train, and draw crowds.

In 1907 the New York Giants headed for Los Angeles. Followed by the Chicago White Sox in 1908. The Boston Red Sox trained at Redondo Beach in 1908, and the White Sox moved to San Francisco for 1909-1910.

Although the Detroit Tigers hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first Phoenix, Arizona, spring training game in 1929, they remain loyal to Lakeland, Florida, and the Grapefruit League.