The Dodgers open the 2020 Cactus League season on Saturday, February 22, with an away game at the San Francisco Giants spring training facility in Scottsdale AZ, with the first home game at Camelback Ranch in Glendale scheduled for the following day, Sunday, February 23. Finally, after a seemingly endless Hot Stove season that included a cheating scandal, we can look forward to actual games. Close your eyes and listen – you can almost hear the umpire shout “Play Ball!”

Have you taken the opportunity to attend spring training at Camelback Ranch? If the answer is “no,” you are really missing out. Watching the Dodgers play at Dodger Stadium or on the road as a visiting team is terrific, but the spring training experience is every bit as special.

Spring training games are fun to attend, the ballpark is beautiful, seating is close to the field, you will see a mixture of veterans and prospects, some good eats and beverages, and the weather in Glendale at that time of the year is usually great. But to fully experience spring training, you must take in more than the game(s).

Some advice for enjoying spring training at Camelback:

• Definitely attend at least one spring training game at Camelback Ranch. Weekend games are well attended, so if your schedule will allow you to see a game during the week, seize that opportunity.
• Arrive mid-morning to watch players go through their daily workouts. Parking is free and there is no charge to watch the workouts. Use the parking areas north of the stadium, beyond centerfield (go on-line and check the Camelback layout). There is a walkway from those parking areas to the main practice fields, batting cages, bullpens, and the backfields were the minor leaguers workout.
• Players in major league camp finish their morning workouts by late morning, but there are afternoon workouts/games on backfields for minor leaguers.
• If you want autographs, bring a fine point Sharpie, a ball, picture, yearbook, etc. and be PATIENT as you wait by the roped-off walkways used by players. Rudeness is unacceptable.
• Miscellaneous: Don’t forget that Dodgers share Camelback Ranch with the Chicago White Sox, so there is a game almost every day.
• Even if temperatures are moderate, bring sunscreen and sunglasses.
• Check the local weather forecast. Some spring days in Glendale are chilly and you may want a light jacket, and every now and then a rain squall has been known to roll through.
• Call Camelback Ranch offices to make certain practice fields are open. They are seldom closed, but it does happen.

The area around Camelback Ranch is predominantly residential, but good accommodations and restaurants are less than a 20-minute drive. There are numerous hotels and restaurants in the Glendale and Peoria area from which to choose. Eating establishments range from In-N-Out to fine dining; check out the reviews for the menus and price ranges that fit your budget.  A personal favorite, drive through Brushfire Tacos Y Tapas in Peoria for your favorite burrito, but be sure to save room for a couple of grilled Dodger Dogs and your beverage of choice at the game.

Enjoy … and Go Dodgers!

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