Given the geography and history of the southwestern part of the United States, one can imagine certain sports being more prevalent than others. Think of a whole host of sports that require dust, dirt, and open expanses of desert. Images of cowboys being flung to the ground by rampaging bulls and bucking broncos come to mind, as well as 4×4 off-road vehicles flying through the air as they race from one ridge to the next. You can hike all the time in the beautiful places.

What is it about the Southwest that brings out the cowboy, whether riding a horse, a bull, or in a Ford Bronco? Along with activities like roping calves and breaking horses are the indoor sports, or what one might call  “saloon sports,” such as darts, cards, and pool. Perhaps the heat drives people to the cool of an indoor saloon to enjoy a tall drink and something less strenuous than wrestling a 1,200-pound steer.

Custom poker tables, pool tables, and dart boards are highly coveted items in the Southwest, in terms of sporting goods. They are almost required in a home or business for the residents to be socially acceptable. Imagine the social status conferred upon someone with custom equipment in a region that is known for its innovation, especially when it comes to off-road vehicles.

Another well-known Southwest sport is the professional baseball game. Every spring in the Phoenix, Arizona area brings the Cactus League games, which are played by 15 major league teams. The main team, the dean of the Cactus League clubs, is the Chicago Cubs, which first began training in Mesa in 1952. The prices for the games are extremely reasonable: $5 for a lawn seat, $25 for a bench. Each professional team has its own stadium, and most are within a 30-minute drive of Phoenix.