Die-hard spring-training fans aren’t content with just sitting in the stands and watching a game: they want to watch a practice and get close to the players. It’s a great experience, as long as you know what you’re in for: most teams train on practice fields, not the ballparks, and so the creature comforts are few: precious little shade, limited seating, and lots of standing around. But who cares? It’s spring training!
Here’s a list of the MLB teams and where/when they train. Be warned the starting times are not written in stone: these are the times teams trained in previous years. Generally speaking, if you’re at a practice field by 10 a.m. you’ll be able to see a practice. Teams don’t go out of their way to publicize when practice times start: remember, these are not fan-oriented activities! Be prepared to stand in the sun, as the amenities at most of these facilities are minimal: little seating, little shade, little in creature comforts for fans.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
The team practices at the diamonds adjoining Salt River Flats at Talking Stick, starting at 9:30 a.m. or so.
ATLANTA BRAVES
Champion Stadium opens three hours before game time, and a ticket will get you access to the practice fields once games start. (In past years practice started at 9:30 a.m.) Going to the practice field and flagging a player is your best bet in scoring an autograph, as the Braves are usually not very accessible before a game (although some will come to the edge of the right-field stands to sign before a game).
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
The Orioles train at the practice fields adjoining Ed Smith Stadium.
BOSTON RED SOX
The Red Sox do not train at City of Palms Park; instead, the team trains at the Red Sox Player Development Complex. Access to practices is limited: you can’t just drive there and walk to a practice (indeed, you will almost certainly be towed). You must catch a shuttle bus leaving from City of Palms Park. Fans who wish to take advantage of the shuttle service can come to City of Palms Park, park their vehicles for free and board shuttle buses in front of the Ticket Office on Broadway for a fee of just $1 each way ($2 roundtrip). There is no public parking at the Red Sox Player Development Complex. Free tours of City of Palms Park, originating from the Team Store, also begin on February 15 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
CHICAGO CUBS
The Cubs practice at Fitch Park (655 N. Center St.); morning practices begin at 9:30 a.m.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
The team practices at the diamonds adjoining Camelback Ranch-Glendale, starting at 9:30 a.m. or so.
CINCINNATI REDS
The team practices at its Goodyear training complex, starting at 9:30 a.m. or so.
CLEVELAND INDIANS
The team practices at its Goodyear training complex, starting at 9:30 a.m. or so.
COLORADO ROCKIES
The team practices at the diamonds adjoining Salt River Flats at Talking Stick, starting at 9:30 a.m. or so.
DETROIT TIGERS
The Tiger Town complex encompasses four practice fields in a cloverleaf layout, Joker Marchant Stadium, and Kaline Field, a small diamond located past the Joker Marchant Stadium left-field corner. Before the start of spring training all practices take place on the four cloverleaf fields and Kaline Field. A roped-off path runs between the practice fields and the clubhouse, and that’s the place to snare players once they leave practice, which traditionally has begun at 10:30 a.m.
Once games start, the minor leaguers take over the cloverleaf fields, with the major-league squad decamping to Kaline Field or Marchant Stadium. On game days or before practice the place to snare an autograph is “Autograph Alley,” down the right-field line, near the team offices and home clubhouse. Players mill around Autograph Alley and chat with fans in addition to signing autographs. Autograph Alley is manned from the opening of the gates two hours before game time to about 20 minutes before the actual start of the game.
HOUSTON ASTROS
The team trains on the practice fields adjoining Osceola County Stadium.
FLORIDA MARLINS
The team trains on the practice fields adjoining Roger Dean Stadium.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
The Kansas City Royals begin their days early: They schedule workouts at 9 a.m. daily at the practice fields adjoining Surprise Stadium.
L.A. ANGELS OF ANAHEIM
The Angels train at the six full fields adjacent to Tempe Diablo Stadium. Previously the Angels had practiced at an offsite facility, but the latest expansion allows all the major- and minor-leaguers to train at the same location. Practice traditionally has begun at 9:30 a.m.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
The team practices at the diamonds adjoining Camelback Ranch-Glendale, starting at 9:30 a.m. or so.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
The Brewers open workouts at 9:30 a.m. in the practice fields adjoining Maryvale Baseball Park.
MINNESOTA TWINS
The Twins practice at the Lee County Sports Complex, adjacent to Hammond Stadium. Workouts begin at 9 a.m.
NEW YORK METS
The Mets train on the practice fields adjoining Digital Domain Park. Show up early – 9 a.m. or so – for a good spot and the lay of the land.
NEW YORK YANKEES
The Yankees set up a practice field next to the monument area outside the park. With their own concession stands, bleachers, and restrooms, the scaled-down practice field is a wonderful place to watch a practice before the actual games start, a good place to get close to the players. Get there early – 9 a.m., or even earlier – for a good spot.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
The Athletics train at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, at least at the start of spring training, and then they shift to Papago Park (1802 N. 64th St., near the corner of Galvin Parkway and McDowell Road) once games start. Traditionally, morning practices begin at 9 a.m. To get there from the ballpark, take Galvin Parkway north across McDowell Road, hanging a left on Walter A. Haas Jr. Parkway. (Haas is a former owner of the A’s.) Go all the way to the end of the road and park in the appropriate parking area.
Be warned that the practice facility — which includes eight practice field and a clubhouse — has minimal facilities. The main practice fields (that is, the diamonds where the major leaguers are most likely to be) feature limited seating and some shade.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
At the beginning of spring training, the Phillies practice at the next-door Carpenter Complex. They usually begin at 10 a.m.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
When pitchers and catchers report, the team trains at Pirate City, located about five miles away from McKechnie Field at 1701 27th St. E. (Roberto Clemente Memorial Drive), with morning workouts beginning at 9:45 a.m. daily. When spring-training games begin, the Pirates shift morning workouts to McKechnie Field, while the minor-leaguers continue to work out at Pirate City.
SAN DIEGO PADRES
The San Diego Padres begin practices at 9:30 a.m. in the outlying practice fields at the Peoria Sports Complex.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
The Giants practice at Scottsdale Stadium. Workouts start at 9 a.m. Most of the time the major-league squad can be found in the ballpark; occasionally you’ll see some specialized practices on an adjoining diamond.
Minor leaguers work out mornings at the expanded facilities at Indian School Park, 4415 N. Hayden Rd. (at Camelback Road). This is more than just a workout facility: it’s a great, new complex designed both to showcase players and provide comfort to fans as they watch a practice.
To check on a practice schedule, call the complex at 480/990-7972.
SEATTLE MARINERS
The Seattle Mariners begin practices at 9:30 a.m. in the outlying practice fields at the Peoria Sports Complex.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
The team trains on the practice fields adjoining Roger Dean Stadium.
TAMPA BAY RAYS
The team trains at Charlotte Sports Center and the adjoining practice fields.
TEXAS RANGERS
The Texas Rangers begin their days early: They schedule workouts at 9 a.m. daily at the practice fields adjoining Surprise Stadium.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
The Blue Jays are one of the few teams left that train in one location and play their games in another. When spring training opens, the team can be found at the Cecil B. Englebert Complex (1700 Solon Av.), in Dunedin. At the beginning of March, the team then shifts major-league practices to Dunedin Stadium. Traditionally, workouts begin at 9 a.m.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
The Nationals train at the Carl Barger complex right next to the ballpark. You can wander back and catch a minor-league game. You should also check if a “B” is being played if you get to the complex early.
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