Rangers + Royals
Surprise Stadium
15754 N. Bullard
Surprise, Ariz. 85374
623-594-5600
Padres + Mariners
Peoria Sports Complex
16101 N. 83rd Ave.
Peoria, Ariz. 85382
623-878-4337
Brewers
Maryvale Baseball Park
3600 N. 51st Ave.
Phoenix, Ariz. 85061
623-245-5500
Angels
Tempe Diablo Stadium
2200 W. Alameda Dr.
Tempe, Ariz. 85282
602-438-9300
A’s
Phoenix Municipal Stadium
5999 E. Van Buren
Phoenix, Ariz. 85008
602-392-0217
Giants
Scottsdale Stadium
7408 E. Osborn Rd.
Scottsdale, Ariz. 85251
480-312-2586
CUBS
HoHoKam Park
1235 N. Center St.
Mesa, Ariz. 85201
480-964-4467
Rockies
Hi Corbett Field
3400 E. Camino Campestre
Tucson, Ariz. 85716
520-327-9467
SOX + D’backs
Tucson Electric Park
2500 E. Ajo Way
Tucson, Ariz. 85713
866-672-1343
5 THINGS ABOUT PHOENIX
Believe it or not, there’s more to spring training than baseball and sunshine. If you’re planning to visit the Valley, Paul Sullivan offers some places to eat, drink or take your kids before or after the games:
1. SIT-DOWN RESTAURANTS
Pink Pony, Scottsdale: Jerome Holtzman introduced Teddy Greenstein and me to this old-school steakhouse a decade ago, and it hasn’t changed a bit.
City Hall, Scottsdale: The closest thing to Gibson’s in the Valley. Never had a bad meal here, but it’s expensive, so bring plenty of cash.
Don & Charlie’s, Scottsdale: A must-see restaurant for spring training visitors, brought to you by the fine folks from Carson?s Ribs. Mmmmm . . . ribs.
Oregano’s, various locations: Many consider this the best pizza in the Valley.
Richardson’s Cuisine of New Mexico, Phoenix: A favorite haunt of Lou Piniella’s, featuring exquisite Southwestern cuisine. Watch out for the Prickly Pear margaritas.
2. – FAST FOOD
Ted’s Hot Dogs, Tempe: This local classic features New York-style dogs and great burgers.
Jack in the Box, various locations: I rue the day this franchise bolted Chicago.
3. – BREAKFAST
Iowa Cafe, Mesa: No-frills neighborhood joint with homestyle cooking.
Cindy’s Arizona Cafe, Mesa: A five-minute drive from HoHoKam Park. Great pancakes and friendly staff.
4. – SPORTS BARS
R.T. O’Sullivan’s, Mesa: Great for the NCAA tournament.
Blue Moose, Scottsdale: Usually packed after Giants games.
Sluggo’s Sports Grill, Mesa: Originally called Harry and Steve’s Chicago Grill before being sold. Retains a retro Cubs flavor. Beware of Ronnie Woo sighting.
5. – KID-FRIENDLY
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, Scottsdale: Train rides, carousels and other stuff to keep the little ones from getting bored.
Rustler’s Rooste, Phoenix: A decent steakhouse in a place that caters to kids. It has a giant slide and they do magic tricks at your table.
5 THINGS ABOUT TUCSON
This could be the White Sox’s final spring training in Tucson, pending efforts to find another club to take their place at the Kino Sports Complex, which would enable them to move to Glendale, Ariz. Mark Gonzales suggests five places in Tucson worth visiting, perhaps for the final time:
1. – UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA (Campbell and University): Getting tickets to a Wildcats basketball game is next to impossible, but it’s doable. The town rallies around the Wildcats’ program, and you could hear an automobile’s brakes grind across town after their maddening overtime loss to Illinois in the 2005 NCAA regional final.
The campus isn’t distinct but is a comfortable place to spend time. And the Wildcats’ baseball program is ranked as one of the best in the nation in 2008.
2. – MT. LEMMON: It’s worth the one-hour drive to the top of the hill for some impressive viewing if you want to take a mini-trip away from town. Bring a sweater or light jacket, as the temperatures tend to be cooler.
3. – RESTAURANTS: Tucson has its share of fine establishments. City Grill (6464 E. Tanque Verde) provides a well-balanced menu with superb service. Buddy’s Grill (4821 E. Grant Rd.) has delicious desserts to cap a filling meal.
For sports fans, arrive early at Sam Hughes Championship Dining (446 N. Campbell Ave.), as parking can be challenging. This is the best place for a mix of food, drinks and watching sports on an array of flat-screen televisions.
4. – MEXICAN RESTAURANTS: Tucson has a plethora of restaurants serving Mexican food, including some authentic establishments in South Tucson. La Fuente (1749 N. Oracle Rd.), on the north side, however, has the best guacamole dip in the state. The lunch menu is underrated.
5. – GLENDALE: OK, it’s not in Tucson, and it’s about a 2 1/2-hour drive (depending on Phoenix traffic and Arizona’s finest patrolling Interstate Highway 10). But Glendale has great potential based on the hotels and restaurants located about 1 1/2 miles east of the Sox’s new training facility that they will share with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It’s a good time to scout the area, which will be within 20 minutes of the training sites of six teams in 2009. And Mesa, the Cubs’ spring fortress, is less than an hour away in case you have to make concessions with family members or friends.
