The Los Angeles Dodgers are headed to Glendale, Arizona, in February for Spring Training at Camelback Ranch, the official kick-off to the season.
Spring Training marks the true start of the season, with players from all positions reporting to training camp to ramp up their preparations.
Rosters allow minor leaguers to compete for a spot or impress evaluators for the future.
Prospects get a chance to rise up the ranks within the organization and league perception, while veteran players on minor league deals get the chance to make the roster.
Since 2009, the Dodgers have started their official preparation at Camelback Ranch. Here is the history of the destination location for spring prep.
Where Did the Dodgers Play Spring Training Before Camelback Ranch?
Before Spring Training moved to Arizona, the Dodgers played in Vero Beach, Florida, at Holman Stadium. The location was known as Dodgertown, and the team had been playing there since 1953, when the Dodgers were based in Brooklyn.
Jackie Robinson, arugably the biggest legend in baseball history, played in the first Spring Training game at Florida.
The agreement between the Dodgers and Holman Stadium officially ended on July 14, 2008.
Since the Dodgers left the ballpark, it has been renovated by Major League Baseball and renamed the Jackie Robinson Training Complex.
Aside from the Dodgers, other football teams have used the facility throughout their history, making it one of the more historic training grounds.
The Dodgers played their last game in Dodgertown on March 17, 2008.
Why Did the Dodgers Move Spring Training from Florida to Arizona?
The Dodgers moved to Camelback Ranch in 2009 after agreeing to a deal with the city of Glendale to build a state-of-the-art facility.
The decision was made by the franchise under the ownership of Frank McCourt, the owner who preceded Mark Walter.
The deal with Gendale was announced in 2008, with construction starting in June of that year and the venue opening up in March 2009.
The Dodgers share the facility with the Chicago White Sox, who also use it for Spring Training.
There are 13 full-size practice fields, a 13,000-seat stadium, and luxury facilities for the team itself, all while providing fans with a great experience. One of the fields is an exact replica of Dodger Stadium in terms of dimensions, allowing for proper preparation.
Camelback Ranch has 12 luxury suites and a party deck, along with 118,000 square feet of clubhouse space.
For fans, there is a beautiful lake to take in and tons of historic memorabilia, making it a hub for baseball history and future generations of baseball as well.
