Insider Tips From Local Experts

Scottsdale Stories

Scottsdale Charros & the Cactus League

Spring Training is a major draw for Scottsdale visitors, and we have the Scottsdale Charros to thank for all the fun.

In 1961 a group of nine local businessmen gathered at the Hotel Valley Ho. Their mission: form a group to promote Scottsdale and attract tourism and business to the city, specifically through sports and sporting events. This group would name themselves the Scottsdale Charros.

Over the next several decades, the Charros negotiated Scottsdale spring training contracts with a variety of MLB teams including the Boston Red Sox, Cubs, Oakland A's and the city's current home team, the San Francisco Giants.

Today, the Scottsdale Charros have grown to become one of Scottsdale’s leading philanthropic organizations, however, spring training remains their top mode of fundraising.

So after nearly 60 years of organizing one of Scottsdale's most popular events, you would expect Charros members to know a thing or two about what makes Scottsdale such a prime spring training destination. We asked them, and here's what they said:

"Scottsdale is the ideal spot for spring training because it's as if the city was built around the ballpark. It's within walking distance of the best dining and nightlife spots in Old Town. Everything is so easily accessible." - George Adams

"Scottsdale is like a gigantic entertainment melting pot. It has a little bit of everything mixed together. You have great weather, bars, restaurants, golf, shopping, and Major League Baseball all rolled into one!" - Paul Seivert

"Besides being the only stadium in Arizona surrounded by shopping and entertainment, Scottsdale Stadium has some of the most unbelievable views around. You can see Camelback Mountain from there." - Dave Westra

Panoramic views and endless options for fun in Old Town Scottsdale? All in all, it seems like a pretty great choice for spring training fun in the sun.