Hot Springs: The Birthplace of Spring Baseball

In the late 1800's and well into the 20th century, Hot Springs was a health and recreation resort known for fine hotels, lively nightclubs, a beautiful mountain setting, and hot water from its natural springs. In 1886, Cap Anson brought his Chicago White Stockings, now the Cubs, to Hot Springs, and the city's baths, mountains, trails, hotels, and activities made it an ideal place for the new practice of spring training for professional baseball. Soon, teams had built five fields, and as many as 250 players, including many legends of the game, trained there year after year, giving Hot Springs a lasting place in baseball history.

Hot Springs, Arkansas · United States