Spring is in the air, and with it comes the unmistakable buzz of baseball. Opening Day for spring training in Arizona is here and the anticipation is palpable.

More than a dozen Major League Baseball teams from around the nation visit Arizona in February and March to get ready for the official season. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community hosts two teams, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies. Both teams share the award-winning Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, a known popular ballpark for spring ball and an enterprise of the SRPMIC. 

This year is the 15th season spring training has been held in the Community, and the 15th year the Diamondbacks and Rockies have honored their unique partnership by celebrating the opener as “SRPMIC Day,” where O’odham and Piipaash culture is centered and celebrated. 

“I love it, I love Opening Day, I love having SRPMIC Day,” said Miss Salt River Sialik King. “Because spring training is set here in Arizona, we have people from all over the nation come, and to be able to share a bit of our culture with them as O’odham and Xalychidom Piipaash.” 

“I really enjoy it every single year,” King added. King sang the national anthem near home plate in O’odham before the start of the game. “Being able to come here Opening Day and sing in front of a sold-out crowd, that was very nerve wracking, but also just a very surreal feeling,” she said.

As the gates opened for the season on February 21, baseball fanatics and families visited and observed the traditional leather work of artist Gabriel Martinez, pottery by August Wood and traditional basketry by Alice Manuel and Raeann Brown. Artists had designated tables set up on the main concourse near the ballpark’s main entrance.

“It feels good to be out and being able to do this… I hope it catches the eyes of young people who would want to keep this going,” said Brown.

On the field before the game, traditional O’odham and Piipaash dancers and singers gathered to perform near home plate. Afterward, SRPMIC Council members Cheryl Doka and Mikah Carlos tossed out a ceremonial first pitch. 

Diamondbacks pitching ace Corbin Burnes took the mound to start the 2025 spring season. During the off-season, the Diamondbacks signed Burnes along with first baseman Josh Naylor. Both made their team debut at Salt River Fields with Burnes striking out the side in the first inning. However, the Rockies got the win, 12-8. Salt River Fields has a busy schedule and hosts a spring training game every day through Monday, March 24.