Sounds of spring: Cactus League play gets underway in Arizona
Feb 26, 2014, 7:26 AM | Updated: 9:39 am
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The lights were on before dawn at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick to show off what sports website Stadium Journeys calls the 22nd-best stadium in America.
The grass has been freshly cut and the smell of baseball is in the air. More than a few people will likely be calling their the boss Wednesday to say that they’re under the weather as the Arizona Diamondbacks kick off 2014 spring training at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Josh Rawitch with the Diamondbacks said remaining tickets are limited. First pitch is 1:10 p.m.
“Just about every game is going to be at capacity and that’s what’s unique about spring training. It is not in a 48,000-seat stadium, it’s more in the 10,000 to 12,000 range,” he said.
Spring training brings new hope for the team and for pitcher Archie Bradley, who is trying to make the opening day roster for the first time. He knows it will be tough competition to land one of five spots in the starting rotation.
“I’m going to stick to my routine and do what I have always done,” Bradley said. “I’m going to go out there and pitch and that’s all I can control.”
The Diamondbacks will travel to Mesa on Thursday to face the Chicago Cubs at their new stadium.
