As the New Year approaches, it will not be long before pitchers and catchers report to Fitch Park on February 10. Pitchers and catchers report in just 44 days and the Cubs first game of the spring is in 57 days. Position players report on February 16 and the first full-squad workout is scheduled for February 17. Teams are reporting earlier than usual this year due to the World Baseball Classic.
This spring will be the Cubs final one at HoHoKam Park. Construction on the Cubs’ new spring home is underway and is expected to be completed by late 2013. The Cubs are set to play their first Spring Training games at Riverview Park in February-March of 2014.
Cactus League Schedule
The Cubs first exhibition game will be in Tempe on February 23 against an Angels’ split squad and the home opener will be the following day (February 24) against the Giants. Single-game tickets at HoHoKam Park go on sale on January 4.
The Cubs have 35 games on their Cactus League schedule that includes their ninth straight trip to Las Vegas for the annual Big League Weekend at Cashman Field. The Cubs will play 17 games at HoHoKam, plus an exhibition game at HoHoKam Park on March 15 against an Asian All-Star team that is participating in the WBC. The Cubs finish the practice season with two games in Houston at Minute Maid Park on March 29 and March 30.
The Cubs last Spring Training game at HoHoKam Park will be on March 28 against the Seattle Mariners.
Cubs Complete Cactus League Schedule
Cubs New Spring Training Home
The Cubs new home on Eighth Street in northwest Mesa is progressing rather well according to reports from AZ Central. Most of the progress remains underground but two week old photos show where the dugout area and playing field will be at Riverview Park.
Click Here for More Photos on AZ Central
Construction Timeline
The city of Mesa is expected to announce in early 2013 the agreement between the city and the Oakland Athletics for use of HoHoKam Park and Fitch Park. The A’s are currently located just a few miles down the road in Phoenix and are expected to play games at HoHoKam Park beginning in March of 2015.
The structural steel work is scheduled to begin on the Cubs new stadium in January and the council is scheduled to approve the contract for construction of Riverview Park on January 28. Park construction is slated to begin in February and run into the fall.
If everything stays on schedule, the turf for the stadium and practice fields should be planted sometime in May or June after the park lagoon is filled. After the Cubs move into the new facilities late in 2013 (schedule calls for December 2013), renovations are expected to begin at HoHoKam Park and Fitch Park.
- Cubs Ready to Swing at Last HoHoKam Season – AZ Central
- Cubs Stadium Progress on Fast Track – AZ Central
- Study: Cactus League Economic Benefits Up, Continue Year-Round – AZ Central