The crack of a bat. The sun on your face. There may not be a better way to spend a sunny afternoon than lying in the grass watching Spring Training in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area of Arizona.
Chances are you’ll never get this close to Major League Baseball action or players. At least not for this price. Lawn seating for Arizona Diamondback games are listed online for as low as $19.
It’s almost spring training time in both Arizona and Florida, where major league ballplayers gather to hone their skills for the regular season. Games begin around Feb. 25, so we’re only six weeks away.
Scottsdale proper is home to three major league teams for spring training: the San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks. You’re also within a few minutes drive of all 15 teams in Arizona, including the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Teams in Florida are much more spread out, but many Canadians tend to flock to the Dunedin area, spring training home of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Fans get up close to ballplayers at spring training games. Photo Courtesy Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Maximum attendance is 12,000 at Scottsdale Stadium, the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants, 4,000 are on a lawn, which makes for a picnic-like atmosphere and a chance to stretch out a bit.
You’ll hear the thump of a 90 mile per hour fastball in the catcher’s glove and smell the onions grilling with a back drop of the orange-red, craggy-mountain peaks that surround Scottsdale.
Scottsdale Stadium is a beauty, built of handsome red brick with green wrought-iron and surrounded by trees.
If you want to catch the Diamondbacks or Rockies play, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick features a state-of-the-art stadium that seats 11,000; also with 4,000 lawn seats. It’s not downtown, but you can get a free shuttle to the ballpark from the central business district.
Ball players are much more accessible during the relaxed days of spring training than they are during the regular season, so you’ve got a good chance of getting an autograph.
If you really want to see the stars play, aim for a game later in the spring when they’re getting in their final tune-ups, versus a game in the first two or even three weeks of the spring schedule.
WHERE TO STAY
A colourful room at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Arizona. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Hotel Valley Ho is a wonderful, 1956 property done in colourful mid-century style, with plenty of aquamarine and orange accents. Check out the second-floor photo displays of stars such as Bing Crosby and former Boston Red Sox star Ted Williams. The Tower Suites are huge and feel like something out of the Mad Men TV show. ZuZu restaurant does a great job, especially with their Show Stopper dessert shakes. The hotel is right downtown and only a short walk to Scottsdale Stadium.
The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale is a remarkable resort with ten swimming pools (a few are admittedly fairly small), a great beach for kids, gondola rides at night, live music, a wonderful spa and spacious rooms. The Wine Me/Dine Me program at their SWB restaurant is outstanding; a four-course meal where each course is paired with tequila or wine, and it’s just $90 per person ($65 without the liquor). The hotel is a short drive from Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, where the Rockies and Diamondbacks play.
A short drive north of downtown, Mountain Shadows was one of the top places to see and be seen in Scottsdale in the late 50’s and early 60’s. Smooth orchestras serenaded late-night dancers, and movie and TV stars glided around the floor. The resort was closed for a bit but re-opened a little more than a year ago with a sleek and sexy, modern look that’s different from most Arizona properties. There’s an outstanding par-three golf course that’s in immaculate condition, as well as two stunning swimming pools and other amenities. Hearth 61 serves up terrific food, including massive diver scallops from California and fresh agnolotti filled with rich, meaty short rib and toasted bread crumbs for a slightly crunchy texture.
WHERE TO EAT*
Avocado Toast at Farm and Craft in Scottsdale. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Diego Pops is a vibrant downtown spot for Mexican food that has a fine patio and a very young clientele that very much runs against the Scottsdale retiree stereotype. Try the braised pineapple pork tacos or the crazy-good nachos with roasted Brussels Sprouts and a fried egg on top. Sounds weird. Tastes amazing.
Farm and Craft is yet another hip and happening spot. We went for breakfast (they’re open for lunch and dinner, too) and had avocado toast with egg whites and filling, flavourful breakfast burritos. They also serve smoothies filled with all kinds of good-for-you things like kale, carrots and ginger. And the taps pour out everything from local beer and wine to cold-brewed coffee. With it’s cool interior and funky signs, it’s an Instagram post waiting to happen.
Just a short walk from Scottsdale Stadium, Starlite BBQ serves wonderful ribs, brisket, grilled meatloaf, hot fried chicken and other treats in an upscale space. They also make tremendous cocktails with high-end varieties of whiskey. Try the Chile in Manhattan, a southwest take on a classic cocktail.
Craft 64 serves up amazing pizza. They make their own dough, use local, organic produce and even make their own mozzarella. The Fico pizza comes with fig sauce, three kinds of cheese and arugula. Add some prosciutto for a salty, meaty flavour. They serve up eight of their own beers and offer 36 taps in all.
Citizen Public House is a popular spot with soft lighting and a varied menu. The scallops are lovely, and the lamb shank is almost Fred Flintstone-sized. They also serve the famous Stetson Chopped Salad, with corn, tomatoes, couscous, salmon, pepitas, currants, arugula and Asiago Cheese, served with a buttermilk herb dressing. Perhaps Scottsdale’s trademark dish, it’s a tasty concoction that has its own Facebook page!
Want to try a wide variety of places in a short time? Arizona Food Tours offers up a three-hour taste and tour of five different Scottsdale restaurants. You’ll get a nice history review and try some terrific food. Our tour included stops at The Mission for great tacos and Mexican street corn, Nonna’s Urban Eatery (Italian) in a pretty courtyard, a fine Thai spot called Malee’s for Tom Yum soup, Brat Haus for house-made sausages and a sweet dessert place called Shakes and Cones. Burp.
*Some restaurants may have closed during the pandemic. Please check before you go.
NON-BASEBALL ACTIVITIES
The par-3 golf course at Mountain Shadows in Scottsdale. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Scottsdale has some of the world’s best golf spots, including Troon North. If your game needs a tune-up, try the remarkable practice meets golf game facility at Top Golf.
Need a hit of culture? Western Spirit, Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, has wonderful displays of paintings, bronze works and other art that celebrates Arizona in particular and the west in general. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMOCA) serves up a variety of exhibits in a stylish building.
Downtown Scottsdale is home to several terrific wineries. LDV has a nice variety of whites and reds, including slightly spicy, full-bodied Petite Sirah. The Sangiovese at Carlson Creek Vineyard’s tasting room is truly outstanding; rich and fruit-forward without the annoying, jammy notes.
Nature lovers will very much enjoy the Desert Botanical Garden, where there are hundreds of cactus and other plants on display. The flowers are out in spring, so it’s a great time to go. They also have a magical display on until May 12, 2019 called The Electric Desert with wondrous light effects and music that brings the desert to life after dark.
I also love the Musical Instrument Museum and Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert home, Taliesin West.
