A couple of weeks ago, we spent a Friday night enjoying spring training in Scottsdale. This was our boys’ first spring training experience. Last summer we took them to see games at both Wrigley Field and Chase Field. Even though Salt River Fields can’t really compare to a big league stadium it is a rather impressive Cactus League facility. Plus throw in some gorgeous March weather and you have yourself an ideal spring training experience! Today I am sharing 5 reasons spring training in Scottsdale rocks for kids!
1. Lawn Seating
Lawn seating is perfect when watching baseball with kiddos. Typically stadium seats are close together with little room for moving around. Kids like to move around. Or they want to lay down, or roll around a bit or crowd into your lap, all things that are a hard to do in a typical seat but totally doable with lawn seats. Plus lawn seats are usually priced cheaper! Just bring a blanket and claim your section of the grass.
2. Autographs
Salt River Fields is the spring training facility for both the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. Both teams have a policy that grants autograph access to two players prior to home games. The sessions run from 11:45 am until Noon on day games and 5:45 pm until 6:00 pm on night games.
3. Cold Stone Kids Fun Field
Salt River Fields offers the Cold Stone Kids Fun Field featuring wiffle ball! We happened to enter the stadium right next to the kid field, so Quinn immediately had to get in line to try it out. The set up is pretty cool, kids line up and start by “playing” 1st base while a batter gets several chances to hit the ball. Once the batter is done (he can run the bases) and all the kids rotate positions infield, with the 3rd base player getting a chance to hit the ball.
It was definitely the highlight of Quinn’s night and he even convinced Peter to back and wait in line for a 2nd turn after dinner. They had everyone from preschoolers to middle schoolers lined up to play, it’s definitely a big hit with kids! The lines were shortest right as the baseball game started, so I recommend checking it out earlier in the game if possible.
4. Running The Bases
Kids are allowed to run the bases after every Sunday game. We got away with Quinn playing wiffle ball in flip-flops at the kids field but I am guessing that wouldn’t have worked for running the bases, so come prepared.
5. Lots of Food Options
Beyond the ballpark favorites like hotdogs, nachos, and lemonade, there are quite a few concession options including BBQ, tacos, noodle bowls, and pizza. They even listed some gluten-free options if you need it. Everyone should be able to find something they like including picky kids.

There are only a few games left this spring training season, have you had a chance to catch one yet?
For more fun ideas connect with Experience Scottsdale
Online| Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Experience Scottsdale. As always, all experiences and opinions are my own. #ScottsdaleAZ
Tonya says
That looks like such a fun experience! No spring training here in Ohio (we still have snow on the ground), but I’m looking forward to some fun events this summer.