It's that time of year again. Here in Arizona both the locals and the winter visitors are eagerly awaiting the beginning of Spring Training 2012 for Major League Baseball. Affectionately referred to as the Cactus League (Grapefruit League is in Florida), there are now 15 teams that come to Arizona for Spring Training baseball.
Spring Training Arizona Guide: Tickets, Schedules, Stadiums, Maps, Tips and More.
Since the last two teams who in Tucson played their last season there in 2010 (Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies), we now have all 15 teams playing Spring Training baseball in the Phoenix area (Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds).
For the fans, Spring Training means great games, great players, jumbo hot dogs, cheap tickets, and the opportunity to get up close and personal with the athletes. Why, I've even heard that some adults sneak out of work on a few of those glorious, warm March days to soak in the sun and hear the crack of the bat. Say it isn't so! (Yup, it is!) There are plenty of Cactus League games, but some tickets, especially for those Cubbies, can be difficult to get.
The 2012 Spring Training exhibition schedule begins on March 2 and continues through April 4, 2012.
Here is how the teams of Arizona's Cactus League finished up last year's regular season.
Cactus League Teams 2011 Regular Season Results
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
(W/L): 86 / 76
Finished in their division: 2nd place
Oakland Athletics
(W/L): 74 / 88
Finished in their division: 3rd place
Milwaukee Brewers
(W/L): 96 / 66
Finished in their division: 1st place
Chicago Cubs
(W/L): 71 / 91
Finished in their division: 5th place
Arizona Diamondbacks
(W/L): 94 / 68
Finished in their division: 1st place
Los Angeles Dodgers
(W/L): 82 / 79
Finished in their division: 3rd place
San Francisco Giants
(W/L): 86 / 76
Finished in their division: 2nd place
Cleveland Indians
(W/L): 80 / 82
Finished in their division: 2nd place
Seattle Mariners
(W/L): 67 / 95
Finished in their division: 4th place
San Diego Padres
(W/L): 71 / 91
Finished in their division: 5th place
Texas Rangers
(W/L): 96 / 66
Finished in their division: 1st place
Cincinnati Reds
(W/L): 79 / 83
Finished in their division: 3rd place
Colorado Rockies
(W/L): 73 / 89
Finished in their division: 4th place
Kansas City Royals
(W/L): 71 / 91
Finished in their division: 4th place
Chicago White Sox
(W/L): 79 / 83
Finished in their division: 3rd place
