Arizona has a long history of hosting major league spring training camps. Once home to eight teams, a recent building boom of new ballparks has led to half of the 30 major league teams training there. Many now share recently constructed, state-of-the-art facilities.
With another round of Cactus League exhibition games opening this weekend, here’s a look at the teams that make their camps in Arizona, starting west and making the way east (Earlier this week, we profiled the 15 teams that train in Florida).
Average resale ticket prices listed are secondary market prices from search site TiqIQ.com.
Kansas City Royals
Ballpark: Surprise Stadium, Surprise, AZ, built 2002, capacity 10,500.
Ticket price range: $7 to $25.
Average resale ticket price: $53.76.
About the Royals: Acquired lefty Jonathan Sanchez from Giants for Melky Cabrera, still need development from young position players.
Texas Rangers
Ballpark: Surprise Stadium, Surprise, AZ (share with Royals).
Ticket price range: $7 to $25.
Average resale ticket price: $54.27
About the Rangers: Twice they were one out away from their first World Series title. They’ll try to bounce back with Japanese righthander Yu Darvish replacing lefty C.J. Wilson, who signed with the Angels.
San Diego Padres
Ballpark: Peoria Stadium, Peoria, AZ, built 1994, capacity 7,000.
Ticket price range: $6 to $23.
Average resale ticket price: $51.23.
About the Padres: Dealt pitcher Mat Latos to Reds for several young players, including pitcher Edison Volquez. Added All-Star outfielder Carlos Quentin in trade from White Sox.
Seattle Mariners
Ballpark: Peoria Stadium, Peoria, AZ (share with Padres).
Ticket price range: $6 to $23.
Average resale ticket price: $42.
About the Mariners: Catcher/DH Jesus Montero, acquired from Yankees, has the potential to become one of the American League’s best hitters.
Cincinnati Reds
Ballpark: Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear, AZ, built 2008, capacity 10,311.
Ticket price range: $8 ($4 for children) to $35.
Average resale ticket price: $49.
About the Reds: Should be an NL Central contender with Mat Latos, acquired from Padres, in rotation and Ryan Madson, acquired from Phillies, as closer.
Cleveland Indians
Ballpark: Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear, AZ (share with Reds).
Ticket price range: $8 to $35.
Average resale ticket price: $50.47.
About the Indians: Keeping the payroll low, they added veterans Casey Kotchman at first base and Derek Lowe in rotation to a team that went 80-82 last season.
Chicago White Sox
Ballpark: Camelback Ranch, Glendale, AZ, built 2008, capacity 13,000.
Ticket price range: $8 to $44.
Average resale ticket price: $54.98
About the White Sox: Could be a rebuilding year under new manager Robin Ventura. Lost ace Mark Buehrle to Marlins via free agency, Carlos Quentin to Padres in a trade.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Ballpark: Camelback Ranch, Glendale, AZ (share with White Sox).
Ticket price range: $8 to $44.
Average resale ticket price: $54.21.
About the Dodgers: Still awaiting new owner as Frank McCourt sells the team out of bankruptcy. Several low-cost players added after retaining center fielder Matt Kemp for big money.
Milwaukee Brewers
Ballpark: Maryvale Baseball Park, Maryvale, AZ, built 1998, capacity 10,000.
Ticket price range: $8 to $22.
Average resale ticket price: $39.
About the Brewers: NL Central champs lost Prince Fielder to Tigers via free agency, but won’t lose NL MVP Ryan Braun, whose drug suspension was overturned.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Ballpark: Tempe Diablo Stadium, Tempe, AZ, built 1968, capacity 9,785.
Ticket price range: $10 to $40.
Average resale ticket price: $77.41.
About the Angels: Made the biggest splash in the off-season by signing future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols away from the Cardinals and lefty C.J. Wilson from the Rangers.
Oakland Athletics
Ballpark: Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix, built 1965, capacity 7,885.
Ticket price range: $12 to $30.
Average resale ticket price: $46.
About the A’s: Most talked-about acquisition is Manny Ramirez, seeking one more chance. He’s banned for first 50 regular season games, but can play in spring training games.
San Francisco Giants
Ballpark: Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale, AZ built 1992, renovated 2006, capacity 11,500.
Ticket price range: $5 to $55. (dynamic pricing, varies widely by game).
Average resale ticket price: $91.20.
About the Giants: Comeback of catcher Buster Posey from injury is the big story. Acquired outfielders Melky Cabrera from Royals and Angel Pagan from Mets.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Ballpark: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Scottsdale, AZ, built 2010, capacity 11,500.
Ticket price range: $8 to $26.
Average resale ticket price: $53.27.
About the D’backs: Surprise team of the NL last season added Trevor Cahill to rotation and Jason Kubel’s bat to the lineup.
Colorado Rockies
Ballpark: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Scottsdale (share with D’Backs).
Ticket price range: $8 to $26.
Average resale ticket price: $51.70.
About the Rockies: Added outfielder Michael Cuddyer from Twins via free agency and Jeremy Guthrie to rotation in a trade with Orioles.
Chicago Cubs
Ballpark: HoHoKam Park, Mesa, AZ, built 1976, renovated 1996, capacity 12,600.
Ticket price range: Premium games (Giants, White Sox, Padres, Indians, Dodgers, Angels) $9 to $31, all others $8 to $28.
Average resale ticket price: $51.67.
About the Cubs: They have a new general manager in Theo Epstein and a new manager in Dale Sveum. Keep an eye on slugging first base prospect Anthony Rizzo.
