Mariners’ Spring Training: Why to Go, What You Need to Know
By Stephen Strom February 24, 2017
Mariners fans, it’s that time of year again: spring training is now underway in Peoria, Arizona. With some new offseason trades for the likes of Drew Smyly (pitcher), Jarrod Dyson (outfielder), and Jean Segura (infielder); Robinson Cano (infielder), Nelson Cruz (designated hitter), and Kyle Seager (infielder) looking to create some magic on offense; and King Felix Hernandez on a serious mission to get the M’s its first playoff in over a decade, it’s an exciting time to be a Mariners’ fan.
The Mariners kick off spring training this year against the San Diego Padres on Saturday, February 25th at 1:10 p.m. And if you would like to get away from Seattle’s record setting wettest rainy season ever and cheer on your favorite ball team, here’s what you need to know.
Where do the Seattle Mariners play? The Mariners play in the Cactus League in Arizona and all of its games are held at the Peoria Sports Complex. This is the twenty-fourth year the Peoria Sports Complex has played host to the Seattle Mariners at its shared home field with the San Diego Padres for spring training.
How do you get to Peoria from Phoenix? Getting to Peoria is relatively easy; it’s approximately a thirty-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (a shuttle bus can take you to and from the car rentals). Renting a car is your best bet to get to the M’s home away from home. If you don’t want to drive, Uber, Lyft or a cab are your other best options to get around.
Where are the away games? Cactus League games are sprinkled throughout neighboring towns outside of Phoenix like Scottsdale, Mesa and Tempe. All are within a relatively short drive away.
Who plays in the Cactus League? The Cactus League is comprised of fifteen teams: Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, L.A. Angels, L.A. Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland A’s, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners.
What is the Peoria Sports Complex like? The Peoria Sports Complex has something for everyone. You can eat at The-All-You-Can-Eat Terrace for $20 (where a daily, revolving menu of American, Asian, Italian and Mexican cuisine is offered). And for those wishing to quench their thirst on a warm sunny afternoon (which these days hovers in the low 70’s), the Craft Courtyard allows fans to either mix or match up to five 1-ounce whiskey pours or 12-ounce craft beers from the Pacific Northwest, Southern California and the Southwest for $20.
Is the Complex family friendly? Yes. With a list of new upgrades this year (including a 2nd floor terrace and box office), the Peoria Sports Complex has dedicated its time to creating a fun kids’ zone named the “Peoria Cove,” the perfect place to let your kid stretch in between innings. There’s a kid friendly café, a free wiffle ball field that’s a third of a Major League infield called “The Ballyard”* and a captivating playground called “The Shipyard,” a 40-foot ship supporting a mast and sail. This sea faring playground draws inspiration from both coastal cities of Seattle and San Diego and it also includes a splash pad and a play structure. *Kids can test their hitting and pitching at the skills stations at “The Ballyard” for a $1 fee which contributes to the Peoria Diamond Club, a charitable fund benefiting local youth charities.
Follow Us
Ferry Tales: Eight Indie Bookstores Worth the Ride
Plan a summer day around these bookshops in Seattle, Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, Kingston, and Poulsbo.
Independent bookstores tend to be cornerstones of the communities in which they reside, and Seattle is no exception. In addition to helping customers discover their next read, these neighborhood hubs host weekly gatherings and events, like publication release parties, author talks, and book clubs. Many of them have cafés and reading tables that encourage lingering…
Rearview Mirror: Seattle Art Fair is Back, Nordstrom Throws a Block Party, and a Must-Try Ice Cream Sundae
Things I did, saw, ate, learned, or read in the past week (or so).
SEATTLE ART FAIR RETURNS The buzziest event of the summer (well, aside from the World Cup), is returning next week. Now in its 10th edition, the Seattle Art Fair will once again take over the Lumen Field Event Center, packing it to the gills with art from 101 local, national, and international galleries. This year,…
Studio Sessions: Jennifer Leigh Harrison
Seattle artist Jennifer Leigh Harrison uses layers of paint and abstraction to explore what we carry beneath the surface.
Jennifer Leigh Harrison’s paintings are dense with movement. Color and texture gather into mosaic-like fields, as if they have been fractured and reformed. There are places in the work where a frenetic buzz seems trapped between the canvas and the first layer of paint. That energy runs through Patterns of Belonging, her current exhibition at…
ENHYPEN’s Jay Has K-Pop Stardom and a Seattle Heart
The Federal Way-raised singer talks hometown memories, Ivar’s clam chowder, and how it feels to perform in the place he grew up.
Long before he was performing in sold-out arenas around the world and representing brands like Prada, ENHYPEN’s Jay called the Puget Sound region home. Born Jay Park (not to be confused with the other famous K-pop star of the same name, who is also from Seattle) in Seattle and raised in nearby Federal Way before…