Nobody draws crowds like the Cubs do in Mesa, where it's best to buy your tickets early for games later.

Ah, Spring Training, where hope springs eternal for every MLB team. The cynics will say this statement is a bunch of bunk, but history says otherwise.

For example, did you know that only seven franchises have not participated in the playoffs this decade? That’s right: 23 of the 30 MLB teams have played in October within the past 10 years.

So ‘tis the season to be jolly and optimistic, and it’s also a great time to start planning your Spring Training trip, from airfare, rental car and hotel accommodations to game tickets, now that schedules have begun trickling out.

Why? Because love him or loathe him (or just plain shake your head), MLB commissioner Bud Selig is right when he talks about “parity,” which is evidenced in the number of fans who continue to flock to Spring Training in eternal optimism. You can make it a December to remember by acting now to score some great deals on tickets, including box seats, while your competing fans are napping off old man winter and figuring it’s okay to wait until January or February to wake up – it isn’t.

In 2009, for example, the Cubs (10,690) once again led the Arizona Cactus League circuit in attendance, followed by the Dodgers (9,130), Giants (8,476), Mariners (6,927), and in-state Diamondbacks (6,738). The Completely Useless By September boys were the single biggest draw, boasting eight of the top 10 biggest Cactus League crowds in 2009. The Northsiders also draw for away games, often playing to capacity in Peoria against the Mariners and elsewhere. The Mariners and D-Backs games in Peoria also play to capacity.

In Florida, the Yankees (10,558) once again averaged the most fans per game in 2009 Grapefruit League action, followed by the Phillies (8,353), Braves (8,314), Red Sox (7,855), Twins (7,209), Tigers (6,946) and Rays (6,513).

Keep in mind, almost all Spring Training ballparks are essentially Minor League ballparks, so as these numbers indicate now would be a good time to step up to the plate and take a swing at the schedules and buy your tickets or start booking your transportation and lodging. Also, baseball gifts of any kind always make for great stocking stuffers.

Incidentally, here’s a team-by-team look at the last time each club that is training in Arizona or Florida tasted the post-season this decade (parentheses indicates last time each team played in the MLB playoffs). For the seven teams that haven’t, see bottom:

12 of the 15 Cactus League Teams (Arizona):

1. Mariners (2001, when they lost to the Yankees in AL Championship Series)
2. Giants (2003, when they lost to the Marlins in NL Division Series)
3. Athletics (2006, when they lost to Detroit in the AL Championship Series)
4. Padres (2006, when they lost to St. Louis in the NL Division Series)
5. Diamondbacks (2007, when they lost to the Rockies in the NL Championship Series)
6. Indians (2007, when they lost to Boston in the AL Championship Series)
7. Brewers (2008, when they lost to the Phillies in the NL Division Series)
8. Cubs (2008, when they lost to the Dodgers in the NL Division Series)
9. White Sox (2008, when they lost to the Rays in the AL Division Series)
10. Angels (2009, when they lost to the Yankees in AL Championship Series)
11. Dodgers (2009, when they lost to the Phillies in NL Championship Series)
12. Rockies (2009, when they lost to the Phillies in NL Division Series)

11 of the 15 Grapefruit League Teams (Florida):

1. Marlins (2003, when they won the World Series as a wild card, beating the Yankees)
2. Astros (2005, when they were swept by the White Sox in the World Series)
3. Braves (2005, when they lost to Houston in the NL Division Series, which was Atlanta’s 14th consecutive post-season appearance)
4. Mets (2006, when they lost to St. Louis in the NL Championship Series)
5. Tigers (2006, when they lost to St. Louis in the World Series)
6. Rays (2008, when they lost to the Phillies in the World Series)
7. Cardinals (2009, when they lost to the Dodgers in the NL Division Series)
8. Red Sox (2009, when they lost to the Angels in the AL Division Series)
9. Twins (2009, when they lost to the Yankees in the AL Division Series)
10. Phillies (2009, when they lost to the Yankees in the World Series)
11. Yankees (2009, when they won their 27th World Series)

Seventh un-heaven: The seven teams that haven’t been to the post-season this decade? Survey says last post-season appearance…

3 Teams in Arizona:

1. Royals (1985, when they won the World Series over St. Louis)
2. Reds (1995, when they lost to the Braves in NL Championship Series)
3. Rangers (1996, when they lost to the Yankees in AL Division Series)

4 Teams in Florida:

1. Nationals (1981, when they were the Expos and lost to the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series)
2. Pirates (1992, when they lost to the Braves in the NL Championship Series)
3. Blue Jays (1993, when they beat the Phillies to capture back-to-back World Series titles)
4. Orioles (1996, when they lost to the Yankees in the AL Championship Series)

I may be an eternal optimist but I’m in no way suggesting we’re going to see an Orioles-Pirates rematch 31 years later, or even a riveting Nationals-Royals 2010 World Series.

But who’s to say Reds, Rangers, Blue Jays, or yes, even Royals fans, don’t at least taste fall baseball soon? It could happen. Just ask the 2008 Rays.

This article is part of a series written by Joe Connor on helping fans to prepare for spring training. Other articles include 5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Planning Your 2010 Spring Training Trip and Things To Do In Arizona and Florida During Spring Training.

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Joe Connor is a freelance writer for ESPN.com, NBCSports.com and others who has caught a game at every MLB Spring Training ballpark. He’s also the author of the annually-updated online travel planning guide, A Fan’s Guide To The Ultimate Spring Training Experience, which is available for purchase at Baseball Pilgrimages.

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