If you’re like me and know nothing about baseball beyond the vague concept of hot dogs and home runs, the idea of attending a spring training game might sound a little intimidating. Or maybe even pointless. Why spend your afternoon watching a bunch of athletes do… what exactly? Practice? Play a game that doesn’t really count?
But after spending a day at a Diamondbacks spring training game in Arizona, I think I get it now. It’s not really about baseball—or at least, it doesn’t have to be. It’s about vibes. It’s about getting sunburnt in the Arizona heat, overpriced partially cold nachos, and fans who love to tell you they come to these every year whether you asked or not. It’s about finding a spot on the grass in the outfield and pretending you know who’s up to bat. It’s an experience, and one that, surprisingly, I didn’t hate.
First of all, Arizona in the spring is pretty unbeatable. The desert is just starting to wake up from the “chilly” winter, the temperature lingers between “pleasantly warm” and “I might melt,” and the skies are extra clear and blue. People wander in wearing jerseys from all over the place, and suddenly the crowd feels like a weirdly friendly reunion of complete strangers. Baseball hats and sunglasses as far as the eye can see, and an endless sea of team colors meshing together. Even if you’re not a fan, it’s hard not to appreciate the sheer dedication of the attendees.
I quickly learned that the food is the foundation of the experience. You’ve got your ballpark classics: hot dogs, popcorn, obnoxiously large pretzels. But then there are the curveballs (trying to use my newfound baseball lingo here). Tacos, barbecue, giant cups of beer that cost roughly $500. You could eat your way through the game and basically forget the players are even there.
As for the game itself, it’s… fine. It’s slower than a normal baseball game which I didn’t think was humanly possible, with plenty of downtime to people-watch and eavesdrop on die-hard fans debating hot topics or reminiscing about this thing called the “World Series”. Occasionally, someone will hit a ball super far, and the whole crowd explodes like it’s the most exciting thing that’s ever happened. I found myself clapping along just to fit in, still unclear on why everyone was so happy. This, I’ve learned now, is called a home run.
One of the most unexpected perks and things I did enjoy about spring training is how laid-back it all feels. There’s no pressure to understand every detail or play. It’s not about winning or losing because it literally doesn’t matter. It’s about soaking up the sunshine, overpriced food, and feeling like you’re part of something, even if you don’t entirely get it. I left satisfied with my experience because I spent an afternoon in a completely new environment, without feeling out totally of place.
Would I go again? Probably. Even if I didn’t fully grasp the actual point of the game, I did grasp the allure of sitting outside, surrounded by happy strangers, holding an overpriced drink, and cheering for a team I’d just decided to care about because I thought the guys on the roster were cute. Spring training is less about baseball and more about just being there, which makes it the perfect way to spend an Arizona spring day.
