Last-minute travel: Spring training in the Cactus League

These Cubbies fans trekked from Chicago to Mesa, Ariz., to watch their favorite team during spring training.

By Janet Bazan

Baseball’s Cactus League — spring training in greater Phoenix and Tucson — is about to start, and for sports fans looking for a last-minute travel idea, this is it.

Spring training games let you watch a professional sports team for half the price of regular-season tickets. It’s so affordable, you can bring the entire family. Many of the stadiums have these amazing grassy green lawns, so you can watch the game and have a picnic. Sitting on a blanket and enjoying hot dogs, brats, and a cold one while basking in temperatures of about 75-80 degrees — I don’t think it gets much better than that.

Here are the places your favorite Cactus League teams call home for spring training:

• Surprise Stadium- Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals
• Peoria Sports Complex – San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners
• Maryvale Park – Milwaukee Brewers
• Scottsdale Stadium – San Francisco Giants
• Phoenix Municipal Stadium – Oakland A’s
• Tempe Diablo Stadium – Anaheim Angels
• Hohokam Stadium – Chicago Cubs
• Camelback Ranch – LosAngeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox
• Goodyear Ballpark – Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds
• Tucson Electric Park – Arizona Diamondbacks
• Hi Corbett Field – Denver Rockies

And with so many other things the Valley of the Sun has to offer during this beautiful time of year, it’s a great place for a last-minute vacation — even if you’re not interested in spring training. There’s great shopping, dining, art galleries and museums, along with plenty of hiking trails, golf courses and spas, and the list goes on. Best of all, there are Tucson and Phoenix hotels to fit any traveler’s needs. Whether you’re a baseball fan, shopaholic, sun worshiper or all of the above, a last-minute vacation in the Valley will fulfill your needs and then some!

Related Orbitz resources:

• Spring training tickets
• Last-minute travel
• Phoenix hotels

Janet Bazan is a market manager for Orbitz Worldwide. She was born and raised in Phoenix, Ariz., — a true native!

Tagged: Family time