That time of year is here: Thousands of fans of all ages are coming to metro Phoenix stadiums to get their spring-training baseball fix.

Whether you love seeing your favorite players in person, enjoy chowing down on stadium foods or want to introduce your kids to America’s favorite pastime, Cactus League games offer opportunities to do all of this and more.

Each stadium has its own vibe, so here are tips and information on each one.

MORE: What to eat at Arizona spring training baseball stadiums

Camelback Ranch

The Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers share Camelback Ranch Glendale, which actually is in Phoenix. It covers 141 acres, making it the largest complex in the Cactus League.

Details: 10710 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 623-302-5000, camelbackranchbaseball.com.

Insider tips: There is a $3 surcharge on tickets purchased on the day of the game. Save money by purchasing in advance. Parking at the complex is free.

Food and drink: Food options include authentic Dodger Dogs and Vienna Beef Chicago Dogs. Enjoy a cold beer or Three Amigos margarita at Four Peaks Patio on the stadium’s main concourse.

Things to look for: As Camelback Ranch celebrates its 10th season in 2018, upgraded amenities include two new 100-foot shade canopies along the first-base concourse and a new 30-foot by 50-foot Daktronics video board in right-center field.

Meet-and-greets: The railings are low, so the left- and right-field corners of the stadium are good places to approach players on game days. The Dodgers enter from the left-field corner, the White Sox from the right. Fans also could try to snag a signature on the paths from the Dodgers or Sox team buildings to the practice diamonds during morning workouts.

Schedule: Chicago White Sox | Los Angeles Dodgers

Salt River Fields

This 13,000-seat stadium opened in 2011. There are 13 fields (including the main stadium) split between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies.

Details: 7555 N. Pima Road, Salt River Reservation. 480-270-5000, saltriverfields.com.

Insider tips: Salt River Fields was the first Major League Baseball property built on an Indian reservation. Tribal influences incorporated throughout the park gives information about the teams and the history of the Pima and Maricopa tribes. Restroom signs are in Maricopa, Pima and English.

Food and drink:  Budweiser Bow Tie, Streets of New York Pizza, Cold Stone Creamery, Salty Señorita and Sonoran BBQ will stoke hungry and thirsty fans.

Where to sit: There isn’t a bad seat in the house. For the cost-conscious fan, the grass area is pretty expansive, even when it’s crowded. Bring a blanket or towel, as chairs are not permitted. Although the facility was built to maximize shade, free sunscreen is provided for fans along the Banana Boat Lawn. The always-busy hospitality levels, such as the Pepsi Patio, provide an amazing view of just about every mountain in the Valley, from the McDowells to the Four Peaks to Red Mountain.

Meet-and-greets: Autographs are widely available. At each Diamondbacks home game, an autograph session is held in the left-field corner where two players will sign an hour before the first pitch. During batting practice at D-Backs and Rockies games, try to squeeze down to the front-row stadium seats near the bullpens. The Rockies have added an autograph session at the right-field corner an hour before first pitch.

Family time: With a Cold Stone Creamery Kids Fun Field near the first-base concourse, kids can play Wiffle ball with stadium personnel. Fans may also find some MLB coaches wandering over. Kids can enjoy running the bases after every Sunday home game.

Schedule: Arizona Diamondbacks | Colorado Rockies

Tempe Diablo Stadium

Built in 1969, Tempe Diablo is one of the most centrally located parks in the Cactus League. It is home to the Los Angeles Angels.

Details: 2200 W. Alameda Drive, Tempe. 480-350-5205, tempe.gov/diablo.

Insider tip: On game day, parking is $5 per car.

Food and drink: The stadium has more than a dozen vendors, and you also can bring your own snacks. Fans are allowed to carry soft coolers (smaller than 16 by 16 inches) filled with food. Each person can bring one sealed bottled water. Just don’t bring take-out food from an outside restaurant; that’s verboten. At the park, choose from foot-long hot dogs, brats and sausages, and nachos in a souvenir Angels helmet.

Where to sit: If you’re looking for shade, you’re in luck. The upper pavilion in right field is shaded and offers an all-you-can-eat food package for $25 plus the price of a game ticket. Those tickets include table seating. And, yes, there is lawn seating.

Meet-and-greets: It’s easier to get autographs as players come and go from practice than it is on game days. The best spot to catch players is near the walking fence in the west parking lot between the stadium and practice fields. Otherwise, try to linger near the right-field line by the team’s locker rooms.

Schedule: Los Angeles Angels

Hohokam Stadium

The renovated ballpark opened in 2015, serving as the new home to the Oakland Athletics.

Details: 1235 N. Center St., Mesa. 877-493-BALL, mesaaz.gov/things-to-do/hohokam-stadium.

Insider tips: Stomper’s Kid Zone returns in 2018 behind the center-field fence. The area features tee ball, bean bags and arts and crafts for children 10 and younger. Fans can view the players from the “knothole” fence on the practice field before game time. 

Food and drink: Look for Bay Area favorite Ike’s Love and Sandwiches for a taste of northern California’s deli scene. Or grab a straight-from-the-wok box of pan-fried noodles and other specialty items in the left-field deck. Hohokam Stadium has a great selection of craft beers from the Bay Area and Arizona. And check out Mustache Pretzels, where you get a disguise and snack in one.

Where to sit: Every seat is good. Shaded seats are available in the Terrace Box sections and are close to the action. If you’re looking for sun, the outfield berm is a great place to take in a game.

Getting there: Parking is $5. Stadium officials suggest you arrive at least two hours before the first pitch in order to park and see the team take batting practice in the main stadium.

Giving back: The stadium’s volunteer partners, the Mesa Hohokams, work as parking attendants and ushers. With the money earned during spring training, the Hohokam Foundation donates an average of $125,000 a year to benefit local youth.

Schedule: Oakland A’s

Maryvale Baseball Park 

The Milwaukee Brewers call this west-side complex home. The stadium holds 10,000.

Details: 3600 N. 51st Ave., Phoenix. 623-245-5500, phoenix.gov/parks/sports/professional-sports/maryvale-baseball-park.

Insider tips: Most fans enter through Gate A, but for a shorter entrance line use Gate A1, west of the ticket office. Fans wishing to get autographs should go along the right-field line, where the tunnel for both the Brewers and visiting team is located.

Food and drink: Enjoy a Bratacho, which is made from kettle chips topped with bratwurst and all the fixings of supreme nachos. A grill behind home plate serves fire-braised smoked brisket sandwiches and barbecue smoked pulled-chicken or pulled-pork sandwiches. 

Retail: Check out the Brewers Team Store for the spring-training jersey and cap featuring the ball and glove logo in navy and retro yellow and the 2018 spring training logo. 

In-game promotions: Fans can get their pictures taken with the Johnsonville Famous Racing Sausages. The mascots that race at Miller Park in Milwaukee also take a turn at the Maryvale ballpark during the sixth inning. Get photos with Chorizo, Brat, Italian, Hot Dog or Polish on the concourse after the race. Other promotions include Lucky Seat, Guess that Tune and Brewers Trivia.

Schedule: Milwaukee Brewers

Sloan Park

After decades of training at Hohokam Stadium, the Chicago Cubs got a new home in 2014: Sloan Park.

Details: 2330 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa. 480-668-0500, sloanpark.com.

Insider tips: One of the park’s fun features is the left-field deck, known as the Budweiser Rooftop. It features bleachers, a trellis and a party atmosphere. Tickets start at $23.

Food and drink: The food is a blend of Chicago-style cuisine and Southwestern chow. If that’s not enough variety for you, a citrus grove inside the park hosts four to five food trucks each game. Giordano’s will be back this year, and if you are looking for something new, visit the Jim Beam Bourbon Bar down the left field line.

Hot tickets: Enjoy a Windy City rivalry when the Cubs play the White Sox on Feb. 27 and March 10.

Atmosphere: The facility was designed to reflect the team, so there are touches that should feel familiar to any Wrigley Field denizen: a brick pattern behind home plate, a cantilevered roof, outfield lawn seating and a scoreboard reminiscent of Chicago’s north-side stadium.

Family time: The Riverview Park complex, adjacent to Sloan Park, boasts 300 feet of rock-climbing walls, a 50-foot climbing tower, a net-climbing structure, a splash pad, play equipment and a path that connects to Sloan Park. Come early, stay late and enjoy the whole complex.

Stay and play: Nestled between Sloan Park and Riverview Park is a new, 180-room Sheraton hotel with three swimming pools, a full-service salon and an upscale-casual sports-themed restaurant. 

Schedule: Chicago Cubs

Surprise Stadium

The cozy facility is the spring-training home of the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals.

Details: 15930 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise. 623-222-2222, surprisespringtraining.com.

Insider tips: Surprise Stadium has hosted two American League champion teams over the past decade — the Kansas City Royals (2014, 2015) and Texas Rangers (2011, 2012). Parking is free and gates open 90 minutes before the first pitch. 

Food and drink: Joining the traditional favorites are new items such as the High Heat Dog – a jumbo hot dog topped with sriracha ketchup, caribe-pepper mustard and jalapeño relish – and the Tamale Dog – a dog inside a green chile tamale, topped with sour cream, salsa and jalapeños. Chick-fil-A also joins roster this year. Enjoy craft beer from Arizona breweries including State 48 and Four Peaks. Texas and Kansas City favorites Boulevard Brewing Co. and Tito’s Vodka are also available.

Where to sit: For a picnic atmosphere, bring a blanket and sit on the grass berm overlooking the outfield. For $30, sit in the Four Peaks Pavilion, where you get a seat overlooking right field, a meal catered by local restaurants and a drink voucher. And with two large-screen televisions, you don’t have to worry about missing any other sporting events.

Meet-and-greets: The practice fields open at 9:30 a.m. and entry is free. Purchase your game ticket along right or left field, as players enter from the right- and left-field lines.

Promotions: Saturdays are family days. March 12  is the Surprise Sundancers Charity Game. Proceeds benefit the Sundancer Youth Scholarship program. Check out all the promotions at surprisespringtraining.com.

Schedule: Texas Rangers | Kansas City Royals

Scottsdale Stadium

The home of the San Francisco Giants is in the heart of downtown Scottsdale and games attract large crowds. If you don’t have a ticket, be sure to check that your desired game isn’t sold out before you start driving; after all, the Giants have won three of the past eight World Series titles.

Details: 7408 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale. 480-312-2580, scottsdaleaz.gov/scottsdale-stadium.

Insider tip: The stadium partners with the Scottsdale Charros, a community group that raises funds from banner and program advertising and by selling tickets to the Charro Lodge, an all-inclusive mostly shaded VIP area ($140-$165). The Charros donate more than $500,000 to East Valley charities each year.

Food and drink: Old Town Scottsdale has scads of restaurants. Citizen Public House is a haven for Giants fans, and other options include Dos Gringos for laid-back Mexican food and the popular Kelly’s, Banderas and RnR. At the game, try a 22-ounce bomber from Anchor Steam Brewing Co., a San Francisco original since 1896. Oh, and save room (and a breath mint) for an order of garlic fries. The stadium also sells smoked pulled pork and brisket.

Where to sit: If you’ve purchased grass seating, bring a blanket and settle in alongside other fans. Chairs aren’t allowed. If you’re looking for shade, head to the left-field corner where mature trees offer respite.

Meet-and-greets: Autograph seekers need to get to the game early. Hang out along the rail behind the first-base line near the Giants dugout and be ready to chat with the players.

Getting there: Don’t be intimidated by Old Town parking or the limited access at the park. The city’s trolley has a stop at the stadium’s Gate E, allowing you to park pretty much anywhere along the route and hitch a free ride to and from the game. There’s also ample public parking within walking distance of the stadium.

Schedule: San Francisco Giants

Peoria Sports Complex

The first spring-training facility to host two teams, Peoria Sports Complex celebrates its 25th season in 2018. It is the home of the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres.

Details: 16101 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria. 623-773-8720, peoriasportscomplex.com. 

Insider tips: Buy a ticket to the March 1, 9, 20, 22 or 25 games and you can buy up to four tickets to any February game for 25 percent off. Plus, during February games only, visit Guest Services to pick up a free 12-ounce cup redeemable for 25-cent soft-drink refills all season. 

Food and drink: For $25 plus the cost of your ticket, upgrade your experience with the new Chef’s a la Carte. Menu themes change daily and include street tacos, panini melts, mac and cheese, roast sliders and more. Each purchase includes an entree, sides, dessert and a cocktail, beer or wine.

Family time: Peoria Cove features The Ballyard, a mini baseball field where kids can play out their big-league dreams. It also has The Shipyard, a ship-themed playground featuring a splash pad, slides and climbs. Don’t miss Kids Days, where kids can register for special experiences and run the bases after the game.

Giving back: Eligible organizations can receive consigned game tickets to resell at face value as a fundraiser. Your organization will get 25 percent of the proceeds from each ticket sold. Unsold tickets can be returned to the ticket office. For more information, call 623-773-8720.

Special events: For its 25th season, Peoria Sports Complex introduces Your Peoria Days, themed days for teachers, first responders, military, volunteers and others who serve the community. Other days allow you to bring your dog and receive giveaway items. See www.peoriasportscomplex.com for all the themed days. 

Schedule: Seattle Mariners | San Diego Padres

Goodyear Ballpark

Goodyear Ballpark is the spring-training home of the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds.

Details: 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear. 623-882-3120, goodyearbp.com.

Insider tips:  Fan experiences are back for 2018. Batting Practice Fan Zone, Player/Broadcaster Meet & Greet and an On-Field Workout can be added to your ticket purchase for $80-$130 per person.

Food and drink: Get a Skyline Chili dog and Cleveland Polish Boy in the Queen City Grill and 1901 Charter Grille, the two main Ohio-themed concession stands. The ballpark also stocks Bertman Ball Park Mustard.  Arizona flavor includes the taquito dog, a hot dog wrapped in a tortilla with cheese, deep fried and topped with sour cream, pico de gallo and guacamole. New this year is the Cheesy Changeup, two grilled-cheese sandwiches surrounding a bacon cheeseburger. Before all night games the ballpark opens two hours early for happy hour with food and drink specials.

Where to sit: The Right Field Pavilion has a bar with 12 tap handles, lounge furniture and nine big-screen TVs. Fans may purchase group tickets that include the buffet, or just mingle on the top level if they have seats elsewhere. Get half-price tickets for kids ages 3-12 in Outfield Box, Outfield Reserved and Berm seating. Club and premium-field box seats have wider, padded seats and your own server.

Family time: The Kids Zone has inflatable baseball activities and a kid-size Wiffle ball field. Sundays are kids days, when kids take part in game promotions and can run the bases after the game. 

Giving back: March 25 is a charity game, with all the Indians’ and Reds’ proceeds going to Goodyear non-profit organizations.

Military appreciation: Active duty, retired military and Guard/Reserve personnel with ID receive a free game ticket in Outfield Box, Outfield Reserved or Berm seating and may buy up to four additional tickets in those areas at the group discount.

Special events: Giveaways include a Mr. Redlegs F-35 bobblehead on Feb. 24 and a Trevor Bauer #MiniTeamCLE2017 figurine on March 3 for the first 2,000 fans. Fireworks will take place after the game on March 9 and March 23.

Schedule: Cleveland Indians | Cincinnati Reds

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