Giants fans flock to Phoenix for spring training
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Spring ball in effect. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios
San Francisco Giants fans are soaking up some desert sun as spring training kicks off throughout the Phoenix area under new manager Tony Vitello.
The big picture: This is the 79th year of the Cactus League, which now boasts 15 teams at 10 stadiums, just miles apart.
The league surged after teams began building modern centralized facilities in the early 2000s.
- Spring training tourism further ramped up in 2014 when the Cubs opened Sloan Park, a Wrigley Field-inspired complex that can seat up to 16,000.
- "The Cactus League is a baseball fan's paradise," Cactus League executive director Bridget Binsbacher told Axios. "Each park is intimate, and at many facilities, fans are welcome to attend workouts on the back fields."
Zoom in: The start of Cactus League play is like a baseball pilgrimage, with nearly 6 in 10 attendees coming from out of state. The fans are a mix of transplants, snowbirds, retirees and spring break vacationers.
State of play: The Giants play at Scottsdale Stadium, and it's one of the hottest tickets in the league.
- "It seems like there are more Giants fans than a lot of the other teams," San Francisco resident David Shaul told Axios during a recent game between the Giants and the A's. "The stadium here is a little smaller, so you kind of get a little more."
- "We come for baseball, but then we go for hikes in the desert and hit up local restaurants, too," added his partner Jenny Moser, who is an A's fan while Shaul roots for the Giants.
What we're watching: All eyes are on Vitello as he settles into his new role — his first MLB experience.
- His recently announced coaching staff includes hitting coach Hunter Mense, who helped the Toronto Blue Jays reach the highest batting average in the majors last year.
- The Giants are 8-2 as of Monday evening, having only lost to the Colorado Rockies and Milwaukee Brewers.
What's next: San Francisco faces off against Seattle 6:05pm Wednesday at Scottsdale.
If you go: Ticket prices vary by park. You can get a $16 lawn seat for the Angels in Tempe, but be prepared to pay $30 for a lawn seat to see the Giants in Scottsdale.
The bottom line: For baseball fans, it's less about standings and more about sun, nostalgia and the promise that this might finally be their year.