Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Palm Springs Training


Before moving Spring Training to Tempe Arizona in 1993, the primary home for the Angels during the pre-season was in Palm Springs at Palm Springs Stadium. Originally a polo ground built in 1949, the field would host Pacific Coast League baseball games through the 50's and into the 60's.  The Palm Springs Angels would use it as their home in the Class-A California League from 1986-93. Why Palm Springs you ask? Well that is where Gene Autry lived and he wanted his team close to him. He purchased the polo ground area and build a 5,000 seat stadium inside. The Angels would eventually move from California to Arizona since they were the only ones left in the golden state. But for 32 years, local fans got to see their favorite Angels close to home as they prepared for the season. The move to Tempe Diablo Stadium wasn't much of an upgrade for a while besides the amount of space. A stadium that was built in 1968 was home to the Seattle Mariners until the Angels came in. It needed upgrades and it wasn't until 2006 when $20 million worth of renovations was put in. Now its one of the nicest facilities in the Cactus League.

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