Angels spring training history

Pitchers and catchers are set to report at Tempe Diablo Stadium in about 3 weeks. As many of you may know, Tempe Diablo Stadium has NOT always been home to Angels Spring Training. Spring baseball in Arizona does go all the way back to 1909 when the White Sox played a game there after holding spring training in California. In 1929, the Tigers became the first team to host their club in Arizona but moved to California in 1930. The Beginnings of the Cactus League really began in the 1940s.

For their part, the Angels Spring training journey began in Palm Springs in 1961, at a ballpark that was shared with the San Diego Padres, and Seattle Rainiers. For the pilgrimage types, you can still visit this stadium that was built in 1949 at: 1901 E Baristo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262. The Angels would remain in Palm Springs on a full or part time basis through 1991.

https://www.springtrainingonline.com/teams/la-angels.htm

From 1996 to 1979, the Angels split their time between Palm Springs and Holtville, CA (located close to Mexico and very near the town of El Centro east of San Diego). The distance between the two is about 2 hours and the Angels spent their first two weeks of training in the middle-of-nowhere town with nothing to do. Nothing remains of the original 4 field complex, so save your time and don’t bother heading to Holtville.

Art Rogers

In 1980, the Angels returned full time to Palm Springs before splitting their 1982 and 1983 seasons in Palm Springs and Casa Grande, AZ. They took up part time residence at Francisco Grande, the training facility used by the Giants from 1959 until they moved to the original Scottsdale Stadium in 1982. Francisco Grande, located between Phoenix and Tuscon no longer has any fields or training facilities and is now a golf resort.

http://www.franciscogrande.com/history.asp

In 1992, the Angels moved in to Tempe Diablo Stadium which was first opened in 1969 as a spring training facility for the Seattle Pilots. Tempe Diablo underwent a 20 million dollar renovation in 2006 in return for the Angels extending their lease through 2025.