Lots happening during spring training 2024

By Philip Haldiman
Mail | X: @PhilipHaldiman

Tourism and Major League Baseball professionals are excited for the 2024 Cactus League.

The first thing they mention is that both teams that played in the World Series are at home in Arizona and will be playing in Cactus League venues.

They also are excited that Shohei Ohtani is staying in the Cactus League with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch-Glendale, as well as the debut of Spring Breakout at all Cactus and Grapefruit league venues during a select few days in March.

All this is expected to fill the spring training and associated coffers, and build on last season’s turn-out.
The five-week season reached $710.2 million in total economic output in 2023, according to a study by the Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business.

But in certain aspects, the game has not gotten back to pre-pandemic levels.

The study stated spring training’s total state GDP contribution in real terms is about 4.4% lower in 2023, compared with 2018.

But experts say Cactus League is always a boon to Arizona’s tourism industry.

Josh Coddington, director of communications for Arizona Office of Tourism, anticipates a strong 2024 Cactus League season in terms of visitors, fans attending games and overall economic impact.

The total economic output in 2023 puts spring training on par with a Super Bowl, but one that happens every single year for more than a month making for a great getaway, he said.

“With attendance up to 1.5 million total last year and an expected boost from the Cactus League World Series teams, we’re ready for a great 2024,” Coddington said.

Coming on the heels of a Fall Classic with two Cactus League teams isn’t going to hurt attendance at Arizona venues. The Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale and the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium will bring a fan base out rooting for top-tier teams.

When the Diamondbacks and Rangers battled in the World Series, it was the seventh time Cactus League teams have played for the world championship.

Cactus League Executive Director Bridget Binsbacher said historically World Series participants have seen higher Cactus League attendance the following spring as fan interest spikes.

During spring training 2019, the National League champion Dodgers saw attendance increase from 10,154 to 10,326 per game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale.

The dual Cactus League championship last year is potentially great news for Arizona’s tourism economy this year because 6 of 10 spring training fans come from out of state.

“Based on previous experience, we expect that the excitement from this first-time World Series matchup will increase attendance for both teams in the 2024 spring training season,” Binsbacher said.

The fact that Shohei Ohtani will remain in the Cactus League after being traded to the Dodgers from the Angels won’t hurt attendance levels either.

Binsbacher said Ohtani draws a sizable Japanese media contingent that follows him throughout training camp, starting with reporting day. They send back images and stories about Arizona every day, and from a tourism standpoint, you can’t buy that kind of exposure, she said.

“We’re delighted that Shohei Ohtani is staying in the Cactus League. During his six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, who train in Tempe, he was a big attraction for fans. I don’t expect that to change now that he’s with the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch-Glendale,” Binsbacher said.

She added the Dodgers are playing an abbreviated Cactus League season, ending March 13, before heading to South Korea to open the regular season against the San Diego Padres.

“So fans wishing to see Ohtani live shouldn’t wait to buy tickets,” Binsbacher said.

Philip Haldiman can be reached at phaldiman@iniusa.org, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman. We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.

Philip Haldiman
Senior News Editor | Peoria

phaldiman@iniusa.org

Meet Philip
Haldiman is an award-winning journalist who most recently took first place for investigative reporting in 2023 from Arizona Newspapers Association. He joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2015, covering Sun City West his first year. Since 2016, he has covered the city of Peoria. Prior to coming to INI, he was a reporter with The Arizona Republic for seven years, covering numerous cities throughout the Valley. Before that, he was a freelance writer.

Community: Haldiman spearheads the Peoria Independent Hometown Heroes Awards program, honoring local individuals and businesses that give back to the community. He has hosted local candidate forums over the years and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Haldiman also served as a member of the Journalism Program Community Advisory Board at Glendale Community College. Outside journalism, Haldiman served as a member of the city of Peoria Complete Count Committee for the Census, 2019-2020. Lastly, he has served as a member of his HOA governing board since 2021.

Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications and a BA in Theater. 

Random Fact: Haldiman is a fourth-generation Arizonan as well as wrote and produced an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.

Hobbies: He enjoys hiking Arizona’s mountainous landscapes and is currently working on a play for the stage.