The Scottsdale Spring Training Guide is part of TPOL’s review of Sport Stadiums across the globe.
I once wrote a post called If You Hate Baseball, You’ll Love Spring Training. I’m still not a huge fan of baseball, but I did enjoy my one and only spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium. If memory serves me correctly, the hometown Giants were playing the Royals. I am not 100% certain because I did not watch one at bat while I was there. Instead, I spent my time drinking on the lawn (which now requires a lawn ticket) and taking in the sun. In the past, I used to attend a few games a year. This time I only made it to the final spring training game of the weekend. Somehow it is almost April which means opening day is finally here.
Even so, it is never to early to write a guide for those looking to come to a Giants’ spring training game in 2019. Here’s what I advise:
- Buy your tickets in advance online through mlb.com. Games sell out.
- Book your rooms far, far in advance. The Hyatt House Scottsdale which goes for $99 in the summer was over $500 a night during spring training.
- Reach out to your local friend in Scottsdale and see if you can get Charros tickets for the game. Those seats are in the shade with all you can drink and eat.
- Next to Charros tickets, buy specifically designated lawn tickets. Bleacher tickets used to be cheaper than lawn tickets but now the lawn is $3 more. Without a designated lawn ticket, you will have to wait until security turns its back to sneak into the party.
- Pre-drink: The beer at spring training used to be cheaper than regular season. Now, a tall boy will cost $13 and a standard Bud Light is $10.
- Don’t Drink And Drive Ever. Arizona DUIs cost 10k a pop and the police pull everyone over. At the same time, avoid the golf carts. They cost more than Uber, though tourists love the experience.
- Bring your sunscreen: Scottsdale gets hot, especially in late March.
- Wear your home team’s jersey. Trash talking is permitted.
- Visit the Entertainment District in Old Town Scottsdale including The Michigan Alumni Bar Bevvy for happy hour.
- Enjoy!
