Spring training 2022 is happening. Here's what MLB fans visiting Arizona should know

Spring training 2022 is back on.

Cactus League games will start in March as 15 Major League Baseball teams arrive in metro Phoenix to play at 10 ballparks across the Valley. With Opening Day less than a month away on April 7, it looks like there will be a condensed spring training schedule.

MLB fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Many will be heading to town to attend games; others may not be able to make it anymore after the delay. Here's what you should know about spring training 2022 in Arizona, whether you'll be at the ballpark or have to cancel your arrangements.

When will spring training games start?

According to the MLB's website, as of March 11, spring training games are being rescheduled. Exhibition games were scheduled to start March 18; the league says the dates "will be updated in a future announcement."

Stay up-to-date on the latest changes by visiting https://www.mlb.com/schedule/2022-03-18.

MLB spring training stadiums in Arizona

Here are the 10 stadiums and 15 teams that comprise spring training in Arizona. Pro tip: It's known locally as the Cactus League.

• Goodyear Ballpark: Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds.
• Surprise Stadium: Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals.
• Camelback Ranch-Glendale: Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.
• Peoria Sports Complex: Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres.
• American Family Fields of Phoenix: Milwaukee Brewers.
• Tempe Diablo Stadium: Los Angeles Angels.
• Scottsdale Stadium: San Francisco Giants.
• Salt River Fields at Talking Stick: Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies.
• Sloan Park: Chicago Cubs.
• Hohokam Stadium: Oakland Athletics.

Take a look at our guide to all the spring training stadiums in metro Phoenix, including discounts, where the best seats are and how to meet the players.

Can you get a refund on MLB spring training tickets?

Metro Phoenix baseball stadiums seem to have anticipated that spring training would be affected by the ongoing labor negotiations. Each team has made refund and exchange information available in its 2022 policies.

Generally, tickets for games that have been canceled will be refunded to the original payment method or credit toward a future purchase. Check with the team you purchased tickets for to find out which policy applies to your purchase.

Sloan Park in Mesa, where the Chicago Cubs train, says on MLB's website that "if games are impacted (i.e., canceled, postponed and not rescheduled, or have restricted capacity that prevents the use of your specific seats), you will have the option to receive a credit or refund for the impacted games."

The San Francisco Giants' venue, Scottsdale Stadium, says that "If any of the games associated with your ticket purchase are postponed, rescheduled, canceled or played without fans, the ticket value for such games will be credited to your account for a future purchase or you may request a refund."

Those who purchased tickets from a third-party vendor should reach out to the seller for information on next steps.

More:How will MLB’s lockout impact 2022 spring training? All your questions answered

Can I cancel my hotel or Airbnb reservations?

Reread your reservation confirmation and check with your hotel if it’s not clear. In many cases, if you cancel within 24 or 48 hours, your credit card won’t be charged.

Know that at busy times of year and for special events, hotels may tighten their cancellation policies. Also, if you were required to put down a deposit, you may have to cancel well in advance to get that money back.

If you prepaid to save a little money, you’re likely out of luck. Prepaid reservations are typically nonrefundable. If that’s your situation, it couldn’t hurt to call and try to negotiate a credit for future use but hotels are not obligated to offer that. 

If you booked an Airbnb, consult your confirmation notice for your host's cancellation and deposit-refund policies.

Can I cancel my plane tickets to Arizona?

Airlines made their cancellation/rescheduling policies much more flexible during the pandemic. Large airlines including American, Delta and United have eliminated change fees on most tickets. Southwest Airlines didn’t have change fees to begin with.

If you decide to cancel your spring training trip on these airlines, you would most likely receive a credit for the amount of your ticket that can be applied to a future trip.

There are more restrictions on Basic Economy fares. These tickets typically can’t be changed after 24 hours. If you need to cancel, depending on your airline you could lose the entire value of your ticket or you could receive a credit minus a cancellation fee.

If you're flying a budget airline such as Allegiant or Frontier, check its website for change fees and other information. 

What is there to do in Arizona in March?

If you're looking for something to do in between spring training games, here are some of the best things to do in Arizona in March.

See a concert: Bands want to get in the nice weather too, and March is full of top acts coming to metro Phoenix. Dua Lipa and Bon Iver are among the big acts coming here. Check out all the concerts and music festivals in Phoenix this March. 

Go hiking: Prime flower season and prime hiking season coincide in metro Phoenix and we love it. These five easy hikes are doable for most people (one of them does have some uphill to challenge you a bit) and it's likely you'll spot flowers, water and maybe even some wild burros, depending on which trek you choose. If you need more options, here are day hikes from barrier-free to ultra challenging all around town. 

Explore Arizona wine country: The Verde Valley in central Arizona — which encompasses Cottonwood, Sedona and Jerome — has been recognized as an American Viticultural Area. It's an official acknowledgement of what Arizonans already know: Very good wine is made here. There are 19 commercial vineyards and 25 tasting rooms, and more than 40 varieties of grapes are grown in the region. Here's a guide to wine tasting in the Verde Valley. 

Eat and drink al fresco: Sit under the stars, in the shade or somewhere in between at a multitude of bar and restaurant patios around town where you can enjoy mild weather and fresh air. Here are 15 great restaurant and bar patios for outdoor dining around metro Phoenix.

Enjoy our flower season: Taking an Arizona wildflower hike or scenic drive is a beloved springtime tradition. It doesn't matter if it's a superbloom year with poppies galore or a more laid-back display of perennials such as brittlebush and desert marigold. Here's where to see the best wildflowers in Arizona this spring. Wondering what flowers grow here? These are the Arizona wildflowers you're most likely to spot.

Reach the reporter at kimi.robinson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.

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