San Francisco Giants:2016 Spring Training Experience

Every single year, Spring Training in Scottsdale, Arizona provides a unique opportunity for fans to mingle with players, coaches, managers, umpires, scouts and legends in a way they can’t any other time of the year. Here is my 2016 San Francisco Giants spring training experience.

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Scottsdale Stadium opens up at 10:00 a.m. every morning on days with road games for fans to watch batting practice and get autographs and pictures with a quieter crowd. Admission is free on days with road games.

The stadium itself has started to become described by sports writers as Spring Training’s Fenway Park for its retro-style and its charming, small feel. It’s a classic baseball park, and it’s one of the few ballparks in the western half of the country that will give fans that early 1900s feel.

However, fans might be spoiled by modern and spacious stadiums like Goodyear Ballpark, and particular Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Crowds at these stadiums are much easier to deal with than the constant sellout crowds at Scottsdale Stadium, but nothing in the Cactus League can match the old-fashioned baseball vibe at Scottsdale Stadium. It is a must-see.

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Nothing in the Cactus League can match the vibe in Old Town Scottsdale either. Scottsdale is truly the Spring Training Capital of Arizona. There are many restaurants where fans can interact with players, coaches, managers, umpires, scouts and legends. Don and Charlies on East Camelback Rd. is frequently visited by players and baseball officials. The Italian Grotto on North Scottsdale Rd. and East Main St., which has been open since 1977, is frequently visited by scouts, umpires and baseball executives. Fans who want a quieter experience can go to the Tortilla Factory on East Main St., three blocks west of the Italian Grotto.