The Arizona Cactus League Spring Training Adventure Begins!

Have you ever wondered where baseball teams get ready for a brand-new season?
Imagine sunny skies, green fields in the desert, and baseball stars practicing just a few feet away. Welcome to Arizona Cactus League Spring Training!

Every spring, before the regular season begins, Major League Baseball teams come to Arizona to practice, play games, and have fun. This year the Cactus League celebrates 78 years and is once again bringing the excitement, fans, and lots of baseballs flying through the air!

🌞 Why Arizona?

A long time ago, baseball teams practiced in places that were cold and rainy. That made it hard to train! In the 1940s and 1950s, teams started coming to Arizona instead.

Why Arizona?

  • ☀️ Warm, sunny weather
  • 🌵 Dry air that keeps fields in good shape
  • 🚌 Short travel between stadiums

Because of this, Arizona became the perfect place for spring training. Over time, more and more teams joined in, and the Cactus League was born!

🏟️ Who Plays in the Cactus League?

In 2026, 15 Major League teams will train in Arizona. That’s almost half of all MLB teams!

Some of the teams you can see include:

  • ⚾ Arizona Diamondbacks
  • ⚾ Los Angeles Dodgers
  • ⚾ Chicago Cubs
  • ⚾ San Francisco Giants
  • ⚾ San Diego Padres
  • ⚾ Oakland Athletics
  • ⚾ Kansas City Royals
  • ⚾ Texas Rangers

Teams practice and play games in cities like Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Surprise, and Peoria. Many stadiums are only about 30 minutes apart, which makes it easy for fans to see more than one game in a day!

🧢 What Makes Spring Training Special?

Spring training games are more relaxed and fun. Players practice new skills, and kids can get closer to the action.

You might see:

  • Players signing autographs ✍️
  • Home runs flying into the crowd 💥
  • Mascots dancing and making jokes 🐻

It’s baseball mixed with sunshine and smiles!

⚾ Fun Baseball Facts!

Did you know?

  • A baseball has 108 stitches
  • The fastest pitches can go over 100 miles per hour
  • Spring training games don’t count in the regular season, so teams can try new things
  • Some players you see practicing could become future superstars

🌟 Did You Know?

  • The Cactus League hosted over 220 games last year alone
  • Players often practice in the morning and play games in the afternoon
  • Many kids see their first live baseball game at spring training

So next time you see a baseball game on TV, imagine those players warming up under the Arizona sun.
Who knows? Maybe one day you will be training in the desert, too—glove on, cap tilted, ready to play ball! ⚾🌵