My 2 boys (11 and 13) would like to go to Spring Training this year.

I know absolutely nothing about it except that our favorite teams are all in the Cactus league in AZ.

Any recommendations on how best to experience it? Schedules, tickets, ballparks, double headers, etc, etc...

Good for you!
The ML teams play in the main facility with the minor leaguers in the back practice fields, which charge nothing for you to watch.
Make sure that you check those players out too, you might see a lot of future ML stars!
Your fav teams should already have schedules up and I suggest that you purchase tickets in advance.

bballdad - Last year was the first time that I went. I only hung out at the Padres/Mariners complex in Peoria. Its nice, real nice. No trouble getting tickets whatsoever even as a walkup. Stadium comes close to filling up, but there are regular seats as well as lawn seats in the outfield. All nice. Bring sunscreen!

I've heard that the new Dodgers park at Glendale is very, very nice. At other times I've also been to the Giants stadium (Scottsdale), Angels (Tempe) and the Royals/Rangers (Surprise). All nice.

Diamondbacks and Rockies train in Tucson...not really worth the drive (2 hours) unless you wanna continue on to Tombstone or Mexico for some old West sightseeing. Both of those teams come to the Phoenix area for games.

Next year (if I go) I hope to go to the Reds/Indians site (Goodyear)...first year there for the Reds.

Best hotel reservations can be found earlier. But there's enough rooms to get one fairly late as well.

Enjoy!

justbaseball is correct in all he says, although I think the trip to Tucson is well-worth it and two hours is not that far of a drive.

All the stadiums have something to distinguish themselves. I would definitely not miss Scottsdale, which, along with Hohokam (Cubs) will be the most crowded. I also enjoy Phoenix Muni (A's) and Maryvale (Brewers), which is the least crowded. Surprise (Rangers, Royals) is great. TPM is right about checking out the back fields. You will get to intermingle with lots of people back there.

The easiest bet for tickets is to go on-line and get them now. If you are determined and dedicated, it is often possible to see two games in one day (day-night) You might look at the schedule for those opportunities. Also, your boys would undoubtedly enjoy sitting on the grass hills behind the outfield fence at many of the ball parks. It is much cheaper that way, too. I would eat at the ballparks as often as possible just to add to the fun.

There are lots and lots of hotels. They don't need to be near any particular ballpark.

Have a great time!

Diamondbacks are not in Tucson anymore. They moved closer to Phoenix. I heard it was kinda of southwest of Peoria.

We went a few years back and the "real" games you have to pay to see were the least fun. If we went back again, we would spend all our time at the big complexes (like Peoria and Surprise) and hang out at the back fields. You get up close, can get autographs easy, foul balls, even a broken bat here and there, etc. And, you'll see some big league faces you recognize back there too.

Beast:

The Diamondbacks will remain in Tucson for at least the next year, probably two. They are building a new complex on Indian land that borders central Scottsdale. Construction has not yet begun. So, for now, Tucson has the Rockies at Hi Corbett and the Diamondbacks at Tucson Electric Park.

Absolutly the best thing about the MLB. We have been going to AZ for years for spring training. We typically would arrive early and just hang out at the different complexes watching the workouts and scrimmages, chattin it up with a player or two. As Tx H mentioned the actual games are a bit of a let down.

Here's a tip. In 2005 the Angels were in the ALCS series and printed up a gazzilion World Series Champion baseballs. They didn't make it to the WS. However they ended up using the gold embossed WS champion balls the following spring for bp (06). We collected a bunch of those 1 timers that were fouled off or HRs. So you might want to swing by Diablo field and see if you can score a sweet souvenior

jemaz
Thanks for the heads up.

Great info - and my son is a Mariner's fan so we'll definitely head to Peoria!