It's a local tradition to play hooky from work to catch rays and watch the boys of summer get in shape during Cactus League spring training. In March, some 12 major league baseball teams make their spring homes at nine far-flung stadiums in Phoenix and Tucson.

METRO PHOENIX

Hohokam Stadium
Chicago Cubs : Spruced up with new concession areas, the 12,575-seat stadium is the largest spring training facility in the country. Even so, loyal Cubbies fans mean many a sold-out game.
Fun factoids: An audience member gets picked to lead the crowd singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch. Local wags call the cemetery across the street from the stadium the place where the Cubs' World Series dreams lay buried.
Nearby hangout: Sluggo's Sports Grill, 161 N. Centennial Way, Mesa; (480) 844-8448 or www.sluggosgrill.com.
Stadium details: 1235 N. Center St. , Mesa ; (480) 644-4451 or www.hohokamstadium.com.

Maryvale Baseball Park
Milwaukee Brewers : The breezy design of this ballpark, located in an older Phoenix neighborhood, has garnered numerous architectural awards. Hang out near the clubhouse fence to snare player autographs, then get your fill of Wisconsin's finest beer and brats.
Fun factoids: Sausage-costumed mascots race down the field between innings. Last year, to embrace diversity, spicy Chorizo joined the lineup of Polish Sausage, Italian Sausage, Bratwurst and Hot Dog.
Nearby hangout: Macayo's Mexican Kitchen, 7829 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix; (623) 873-0313 or www.macayo.com.
Stadium details : 3600 N. 51st Ave., Phoenix; (602) 534-6441 or www.phoenix.gov/sports/complexs.html.

Peoria Sports Complex
San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners: Fans like the proximity to players at batting tunnels and practice fields just before the games, as well as access to the restaurant/entertainment complex across the street.
Fun factoids : Your cardiologist probably wants you to avoid the deep-fried Twinkies, and, yes, they do sell dingleberries - here, it's a chocolate-dipped strawberry on a stick.
Nearby hangout: McDuffy's, 15814 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria; (623) 334-5000 or www.mcduffys.com.
Stadium details: 16101 N. 83rd Ave. , Peoria ; (623) 773-8720 or http://www.peoriaaz.gov:80/springtraining/spring_home.asp.

Phoenix Municipal Stadium
Oakland A's : Fans think beloved "Muni" is the best stadium for snaring foul balls and autographs. Its Sixties-modern architecture was given a $6 million facelift in 2004.
Fun factoids: Willie Mays hit the first spring training home run here when the stadium opened in 1964. These days, you can bask in the sun and gloat when kids from the audience are asked to read chilly weather reports from northerly cities.
Nearby hangout: Rula Bula Irish Pub, 401 S. Mill Ave., Tempe; (480) 929-9500 or www.rulabula.com.
Stadium details: 5999 E. Van Buren St. , Phoenix ; (602) 392-0074 or www.phoenix.gov/sports/complexs.html.

Scottsdale Stadium
San Francisco Giants : Scottsdale's been home to spring training camps since 1956, and the present stadium, walking distance to downtown Scottsdale's numerous restaurants, shops and nightclubs, does a good job of encouraging a festive atmosphere.
Fun factoids: Probably the only spring-training stadium bedecked with art. Grab a frozen lemonade and check out Craig Smith's photographic series, "Ritual of the Game," images of historic baseball objects, hung along the perimeter walkway.
Nearby hangout: Pink Pony, 3831 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale; (480) 945-6697.
Stadium details: 7408 E. Osborn Rd. , Scottsdale ; (480) 312-2586 or www.scottsdaleaz.gov/stadium.

Surprise Stadium
Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers: Opened in 2003, the stadium is the newest spring training stadium in metro Phoenix. The design puts the team clubhouses and batting tunnels close to fans.
Fun factoids: Forget hot dogs. You can bring your canine companion to the game during the stadium's annual Dog Days (March 18th this year). Otherwise, look for fighter jets from nearby Luke Air Force Base as they swoop over the nearby White Tank Mountains.
Nearby hangout: Dillon's Grand, 19900 N. Remington Dr., Surprise; (623) 584-8494 or www.dillonsrestaurant.com.
Stadium details: 15960 N. Bullard Ave. , Surprise; (623) 594-5600 or www.surprisespringtraining.com.

Tempe Diablo Stadium
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim : The Angels, as they're known for short, train in this stadium set below a craggy desert butte. Built in 1969, the stadium's most recent renovations were made in 2006 and include new state-of-the-art seating and sound.
Fun factoids: The stadium's hot dogs have been voted best in the Cactus League. If your skin starts looking hot-dog pink, ushers often hand out free sunblock.
Nearby hangout: Rustler's Rooste, 8383 S. 48th St., Phoenix; (602) 431-6474 or www.rustlersrooste.com.
Stadium details: 2200 W. Alameda, Tempe; (480) 350-5205 or www.tempe.gov/diablo.

TUCSON
Hi Corbett Field
Colorado Rockies : Built in 1937 as the spring training home of the Cleveland Indians, the stadium is the oldest in the Cactus League - although it's been renovated numerous times. Fans like its vintage architecture and setting in an older, shady city park.
Fun factoids: The stadium was named after Hiram Steven Corbett, a local baseball booster. Today, announcers elicit groans from the audience by reading Denver's weather forecast.
Nearby hangout: Javelina Cantina at the Doubletree Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson; (520) 881-4200 or www.doubletree.com.
Stadium details: 3400 E. Camino Campestre, Tucson; (520) 327-9467

Tucson Electric Park
Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox: Two World Series champions train at this facility with some of the best scenery in the state. Fans are just as likely to cheer about spectacular sunsets over nearby mountains as they are a home run.
Fun factoids : Look for occasional performances by gun-totin' cowboys from Old Tucson Studios, a Western theme park and movie set. Pizza seems to be a crowd favorite.
Nearby hangout: Ajo Cafe, 3132 E. Ajo Way, Tucson; (520) 294-1100.
Stadium details: 2500 E. Ajo Way , Tucson ; (520) 434-1367 or www.tucsonbaseball.com.
Learn more about Cactus League Spring Training - including the latest news and team schedules by visiting www.cactusleague.com.