Cactus League aka MLB's Baseball Heaven

What would a baseball heaven be like?  For starters the sun would always be shining.  There would never be rainouts, and the temperature would stay at a comfortable 75 degrees Fahrenheit.  Young prospects, current superstars, and Hall of Famers would all gather on one field.  A place like this exists in central Arizona.  It is Major League Baseball’s Cactus League, where 15 MLB teams hold their annual Spring Training.

The Cactus League ballparks are home to minor league clubs during the regular season.  Rather than holding 50,000 fans, these venues hold only 10,000 and do not have a bad seat in the house.  The smaller capacity makes the ballparks much more intimate than major league stadiums.  Close in proximity, it takes no longer than one hour to travel from any one park to another.

Entry to Spring Training practice is free, and many complexes house multiple teams.  Visit Camelback Ranch in Glendale, and it is a one-minute walk from watching the Dodger’s Yaseil Puig crush pitches over the fence to witnessing professional hitters wave at Chris Sale’s filthy slider.  Practices are often much less crowded than games and truly reflect the rustic nature of America’s pastime.

Many of baseball’s top prospects spend time in the Cactus League. They can be seen displaying their skills on the practice field and playing in exhibition games against major league competition.  It is a treat see how these future stars measure up to established big leaguers.

A relaxed Spring Training atmosphere makes the Cactus League an ideal location for collecting signatures. Both players and managers are more likely to sign during Spring Training than throughout the regular season.  Each year thousands of autograph seekers flock to the Arizona for signatures. Some are hoping to resell items for a profit, others collect memorabilia as a hobby , and a select few are simply children who want to meet their heroes.  Dedicated autograph hounds can gather dozens of autographs in just a few days.

Spring Training is a spectacle that brings together thousands of like-minded people who all share in common a love for baseball.  The majority of fans around the Cactus League are extremely knowledgable and can hold their own in any baseball conversation.  Visit multiple complexes, and you will surely see some familiar faces.

The collection of baseball legends around the Cactus League is second to none.  Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, Tommy Lasorda, and Wille McCovey are just some of the baseball heroes who stop by Arizona.  An exuberant 78 year-old Koufax hopping around Camelback Ranch is truly a sight to behold. And at nearly 80 years old, Sandy is tough as ever:

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24451097/sandy-koufax-hit-in-head-by-line-drive-during-batting-practice-at-dodgers-camp

The arrival of pitchers and catchers has long been a gateway from the end of winter to the beginning of spring.  It is and always will be a symbol of rebirth and optimism.  No matter how difficult the past season was, there is hope for the future. For all these reasons, visiting the Cactus League makes for an incredible experience that even the most casual baseball fan would enjoy.