My, how time flies.

It’s hard to believe that 2018 will mark the Dodgers’ 10th spring training at beautiful Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, when pitchers and catchers report on Tuesday.

It seems like only yesterday that guys named Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese, Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale; and more recently Andre Ethier, A.J. Ellis, Rafael Furcal, Matt Kemp, Jonathan Broxton, Jeff Kent, and even some rookie named Clayton Kershaw were on the backfields of equally beautiful Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida – but it has indeed been 10 years since the Dodgers played their final spring training game there.

When you realize how many Dodger greats played their spring training games at beautiful Holman Stadium in Vero Beach from 1948 through 2008, it is absolutely mind-boggling.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

But for as quickly as the time has passed, Camelback Ranch – the current spring training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox – is as pristine today as the day it opened for its first spring training camp back in 2009; perhaps even more so now that the once stick-figure trees are fully grown to (finally) offer fans some shade relief from the brutal desert sun that often produces triple-digit daytime temperatures even during the late winter and early spring … but it’s a dry heat.

As the Dodgers prepare to kickoff spring training 2018, here are some facts, figures, and information about what is still the crown jewel of the Cactus Leagues, even after a decade under the sun:

• THE FACILITY:  The Dodgers’ complex at Camelback Ranch–Glendale includes six practice fields as well as the stadium. The award-winning facility, which the Dodgers share with the Chicago White Sox, includes a total of more than 118,000 square feet of Major and Minor League clubhouse space, 13 full baseball fields and three half-fields. It is one of the largest in the Cactus League with a capacity of 13,000, which includes 3,000 lawn seats, 12 luxury suites and a party deck. The site also features picturesque walking trails, landscaped grounds, an orange grove, two ponds and a lake.
• DESERT HOME:  2018 marks the 10th year the Dodgers will play their Spring Training home games at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Last season, the Dodgers established a Camelback Ranch–Glendale record for the third year in a row, in total (165,911) attendance in 17 home dates. Two new shade canopies have been added on the first base concourse and will offer fans more shaded seat options, most notably in the Baseline Terrace sections. Also new in 2018, CR-G debuts a 30’ x 50’ Daktronics videoboard in right-center field. The new high definition videoboard will provide fans with a dramatic upgrade to the visual and interactive experience during spring training games.
• 2018 SPRING SCHEDULE:  The Dodgers will open their Spring Training schedule on Friday, February 23 against the Chicago White Sox at Glendale, which is a home game. The Dodgers will play a total of 17 games at Camelback Ranch this spring on five Spring Training weekends. Fans will have several opportunities to make the five-hour drive or one-hour flight to the desert from L.A. before the team heads back to Southern California to face the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for three Freeway Series exhibition games. The Dodgers will play at Angel Stadium on Sunday, March 25 and at Dodger Stadium on March 26 and 27.

Camelback Ranch in Glendale, AZ is arguable the finest spring training facility in the entire Cactus League.
Photo credit – Mike LeClair)

Here are several of the activities and promotions that will take place at Camelback Ranch during spring training 2018:

• Every Sunday: Family Sunday — Children ages 12 and under may purchase a $5 lawn ticket. Valid at box office on day of game only. Limit four $5 lawn tickets per full-priced adult ticket purchased.
• Every Wednesday: Senior Stroll — Following every Wednesday game, seniors can stroll the bases at Camelback Ranch.
• Senior Special: Monday-Wednesday, seniors age 65 and over receive 50 percent off Infield Box or Baseline Field Box tickets. Valid at the box office on the day of the game only.
• Active and Retired Military Special: Monday-Wednesday, active and retired members of the military receive 50 percent off Infield Box or Baseline Field Box tickets. Valid at the box office on the day of the game only.
• Glendale Resident Pass — City of Glendale (AZ) residents can purchase $5 Baseline Reserved or Lawn tickets for Sunday – Thursday games. Proof of residency required; offer valid online at camelbackranchbaseball.com only.

And here is what you need to know about purchasing tickets for the Dodgers home spring training games at Camelback Ranch:

• SPRING TICKETS: Tickets for the Dodgers’ Cactus League schedule at Camelback Ranch are available at www.dodgers.com/spring or by calling (800) 352-0212. Single-game ticket prices begin at $10 and fans can save by purchasing in advance (there is a $3 increase per ticket on game days). More information about Spring Training, including the Camelback Ranch promotional schedule and full ticket-pricing information, is available at www.camelbackranchbaseball.com.

 As for the facility itself, here is why it is still considered the best in the Cactus League:

• AWARDS AND ACCOLADES:  In 2013, the ‘Best of 2013 Award’ from Phoenix New Times recognized Camelback Ranch as the “Best Place to See a Spring Training Game,” as it also was in it’s inaugural season in 2009. Following the 2010 season, the facility also received the 2010 Facility of Merit Award from Athletic Business Magazine and the Best of the West Award from WESTMARC, a coalition of West Maricopa County businesses. In 2009, the facility received the Editor’s Choice Award from BallparkDigest.com for “significantly advancing the state of the art for spring training complexes.”

As for last spring, here’s how the eventual 2017 National League Champions began their season:

• W-15
• L-14
• T-2
• Camelback Ranch attendance: 165,911 (17 home games)

And last but not least, here is the Dodgers schedule for spring training 2018:

(Schedule subject to change; (ss) denotes split squad game; all times listed are local)

I’ll see you at the Ranch!