Spring Training
In 2010, the Cubs will spend their 32nd consecutive Spring Training in Mesa, and their 14th at the HoHoKam Park/Fitch Park facilities.
HoHoKam Park is operated by the city of Mesa with assistance from the HoHoKams, a local service organization.
HoHoKam Park's seating capacity is 13,074. There are over 8,000 fixed seats and 2,000 bleacher seats to go with an outfield lawn seating capacity of 2,575.
Mesa is the 14th different training site used by the Cubs since 1900 and the fifth site since 1921. In some instances, the team's exhibition games were not played at the training site.
The batter's eye in centerfield is 80 feet wide by 40 feet high. The outfield fence is 15 feet, 4 inches high.
HoHoKam Park also has a practice field, a practice infield, four batting tunnels, bi-level bullpens in right-centerfield and a 13,955-square foot clubhouse. The facility, which includes paved and grass parking for 3,000 cars, was built on a 48.45-acre site.
In 1999, the Cubs established a HoHoKam Park/Cactus League single-season attendance record. The club drew 171,681 fans for its 15 home dates, an average of 11,445 per date. During their first two years at the new facility, the Cubs drew 157,066 in 1997 (16 dates) and 134,329 in 1998 (16 dates). The single-season paid attendance record at the old HoHoKam Park was 141,327, set in 1993 (19 dates).
Following the 1996 spring campaign, a new Fitch Park practice complex was built on a 31-acre lot. Fitch Park has four practice fields, one practice infield and a 29,733-square foot clubhouse with lockers for 200 players and 36 coaches.
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Most games begin at 1:05 pm, and, being Arizona, most game days end up being sunny. That being said, there are areas of the Stadium that do tend to get more (or less) shade throughout the game. The areas with the most shade tend to be sections 200 through 212, and 201 through 211, and the Budweiser Tent. All other sections are in the sun.
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