Athletics announce 2015 Spring Training schedule

The Oakland Athletics, now setting aim on a fourth straight appearance in Major League Baseball's postseason, will christen their new Spring Training home in Mesa, Ariz. when they make their 2015 Cactus League debut Tuesday, March 3 against the San Francisco Giants at newly renovated Hohokam Stadium.

The Athletics, who earned a Wild Card berth with an 88-74 record this past season, will play 15 of their 30 Cactus League games at 10,000-seat Hohokam Stadium, which was part of $26.9 million in renovations including the Fitch Park minor league complex in 2013-14. Oakland, which had trained in Phoenix since 1982, entered into a 20-year agreement with the City of Mesa on March 5, 2013 to train in the East Valley city beginning in 2015.

According to the Spring Training schedule released by the club today, the A's and Giants will play seven times in the preseason, including the traditional three-game Bay Bridge Series in Northern California April 2-4 which will serve as the final tune-up before the regular season for both clubs. The Giants (March 3 and 14) and Los Angeles Angels (March 7 and April 1), both 2014 playoff teams, make two appearances at Hohokam Stadium this spring.

The A's new spring training home will feature approximately 7,500 new fixed seats and approximate space for an additional 2,500 spectators to sit on the grass berms surrounding the outfield. Upon entering Hohokam, fans will also soon discover new amenities such as the largest HD scoreboard in the Cactus League (26 x 56 feet), new shaded areas for groups, a brand new flagship team shop and automated ticketing kiosks.  

The A's are offering fans a unique opportunity to secure spring season tickets in the inaugural year at Hohokam Stadium. Season tickets and group seating of 20 or more are now available for purchase by going online at www.athletics.com/spring or writing to [email protected].

Tickets prices for season ticket holders will range from $9 to $30 per game, while single game tickets will be dynamically priced similar to the regular season.

All single game tickets, which will go on sale Dec. 10 via www.athletics.com/spring or by calling 877-493-BALL (2255), will be priced dynamically and will fluctuate based on factors affecting supply and demand. The Hohokam Stadium box office will open in early February.

A's spring training fan travel packages are also now available. Packages include game tickets, choice of hotel accommodations, rental car and custom A's Spring Training merchandise. For more information or to make reservations, fans can visit www.athletics.com/springtravel or call 800-892-7687.

In addition, the City of Mesa and the A's will stage a team workout and open house for fans Saturday, Feb. 21, allowing a first look at the team's new spring home with free admission. The team is scheduled to conduct workouts and batting practice while fans will have the opportunity to select a season seat.
 
Other home attractions during the Cactus League schedule include the defending NL West Division champion Los Angeles Dodgers in Mesa Friday, March 20, a special St. Patrick's Day game against the San Diego Padres March 17 and a March 10 date with the Arizona Diamondbacks, guided by new manager and former A's bench coach Chip Hale. Other Hohokam opponents in 2015 including the Chicago White Sox March 8, Cleveland Indians March 11, the Seattle Mariners March 12, Cincinnati Reds March 21, Chicago Cubs March 24, Texas Rangers March 27, Milwaukee Brewers March 29 and Colorado.

This marks the second time Oakland has played its Cactus League games at Hohokam Stadium, as the team previously called Mesa, Ariz. Its spring home from 1969-78-a period in which the A's won three straight World Series championships in 1972-74.

Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training Thursday, Feb. 19 and participate in their first workout in Phoenix Feb. 20, while the remainder of the team reports Tuesday, Feb. 24, with the first day of full squad workouts Feb. 25.