Peanuts, baseball gloves, and the faint sounds of “take me out to the ballgame.” Baseball is America’s past time, and for good reason. I, like many people, grew up going to Mariner’s games with my family. I can’t tell you how many summers were spent at the Kingdome / Safeco Field! It has been a long time dream of mine to be able to go to Arizona for Mariner’s spring training.
I finally had the chance to go! There is no better excuse to leave Seattle in March to go down to sunny Arizona and watch the Mariners get ready for another season. The Mariners play a few miles from Phoenix in Peoria. They share the Peoria Sports Complex with the San Diego Padres, so there is normally an early and late game to accommodate.
Where to stay
Hotels
There are a few hotels within walking distance of the sports complex if you want to stay local:
- La Quinta Phoenix West Peoria
- Hampton Inn Phoenix/Glendale/Peoria
- Comfort Suites Peoria Sports Complex
Airbnb
If you are staying with a group, you may enjoy getting a larger house with a kitchen and pool. We did this when we went and enjoyed being able to cook and hang out together at the house.
Catching a game
You never need to pre-purchase tickets. Head to the ticket office before game time and there are a ton of options! We bought tickets in the grass both times and loved it! We were able to wander around and still enjoy the game. Ticket prices range from $5 for lawn seating to $28 for Infield Box seat! You can’t go wrong with any seat level and they are all affordable!
If you get there early enough to get a spot, our favorite place to hang out was at the beer garden in center field. If you don’t like to be in the sun, this area provides options to sit in the shade and still enjoy the game.
Special Spring Training Merchandise
Don’t forget to check out the merchandise. A lot of the merch will have special “spring training” branding on it that makes it unique to your visit! I got a tank top as well as a matching hat. I am really into old school sports items, so my gear is from the 1977 – 1980 logo era.
2018 Spring Training Dates
Spring training kicks off in just a few days! You can catch a game almost every day through 3/25. Check out their website for ticket information
Also – for all of you who live in Seattle and don’t have 24/7 access to an In-n-Out, there is one RIGHT outside the Peoria Sports Complex. Don’t forget to grab a meal there.
#mariners #baseball #seattle #seattlemariners #springtraining #arizona #phoenix #peoria #sun
