This preseason is a time for established players to get ready for the season, and for the manager to decide who will fill the 25 open spots on the roster. With the Cactus League clubs in Arizona and the Grapefruit League teams along the Florida coast, spring training brings together great traditions as well as giving fans something to get excited over before the baseball season officially begins. Fans can vote for their favorite ballpark in each league. JetBlue Park ranks first in the Grapefruit League whereas Salt River Fields at Talking Stick ranks first in the Cactus League. Pitchers, catchers, and full squads for all 30 major league teams will join to practice and play during this time. Training for the Grapefruit League began on February 28^th, and features the Philadelphia Phillies who hosted the University of Tampa Spartans.

According to studies released by Governor Doug Ducey and members of the non-profit Cactus League Ball Association, spring training teams and the ballparks they play in now annually generate more than $809 million in economic impact for the state of Arizona. These studies, which were conducted early in 2015, also proved that more than $544 million is the result of out-of-state Cactus League fans attending games at ten Phoenix area ballparks. “Even after spring training ends, the industry brings in visitors and money year-round. The Cactus League celebrates 70 years next season, but our state economy celebrates every day of every year thanks to the presence of one of Arizona’s longest and most lucrative traditions,” says Governor Ducey.

Almost 1.9 million fans attended Cactus League games in 2015, which is the most since the league was created in 1947. According to Glenn Hamer, President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the 15 teams that practice and play in Arizona are all global brands that gives the state a higher profile in the corporate community.

2013 was the 125^th anniversary of MLB Spring Training in Florida. Florida’s experience with pro sports started with spring training, bringing star athletes to Florida before the state had pro sports of its own. Famous baseball stars, such as Ruth, Hornsby, and Mays, have all experienced Florida up close in St. Petersburg, Bradenton, and southern and northern sides of the state. It began in 1888, when the Washington Nationals traveled to Jacksonville, the farthest south any team had previously traveled, to prepare for the upcoming season. It was 15 years until MLB returned to the state. In total, thirty-five different Florida sites have held spring training. All but six of today’s MLB teams traied in Florida. Although the cities with the most years of spring training include St. Petersburg and Tampa, which have had 87 years. In 2015, over 1.5 million fans flocked to Florida and broke the per game attendance record. More than 6,900 fans attended each game at 14 locations statewide. Over 25 million fans have been present at Florida Spring Training Games since 2000.

So far, the Toronto Blue Jays dominate the American League in a 6-1 lead. The Washington Nationals have the same scores and place in the National League, leaving both teams to tie for first in the Grapefruit League, whereas the Milwaukee Brewers and the Texas Rangers both hold first at 4 wins and 1 loss in the Cactus League. While fansfrom all over the country come to watch America’s favorite pastime, the teams for Major League Baseball get in gear for the amazing season to come.