Think you can’t reasonably make it to spring training in 2010? Think again, kiddo.

Here are four scenarios (two each for the Cactus and Grapefruit League) for you to enjoy the ultimate four-day weekend in the sun, particularly toward the middle and end of spring when most of the starting lineups also play longer. All games begin at 1 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.

CACTUS LEAGUE ULTIMATE FOUR-DAY WEEKEND NO. 1
Thursday 3/18/10: If you live in the west, catch a first AM flight to Phoenix and see if you can make Ernie Banks proud and catch two games in one day as the Reds tackle their Buckeye State rival Indians under the sun. Then head on over to Surprise Stadium, one of the most fan-friendly in the Cactus circuit, for a 6 p.m. nightcap between two clubs on the rise, the Brewers and Rangers.

Friday 3/19/10: If you couldn’t make Ernie proud a day earlier, you can today. That’s because with two night games on the docket and 12 teams in Metro Phoenix within an hour’s drive of one another, it’s casual Friday under the sun for you — vacation style. Both night games starting at 7 p.m. are in the West Valley, with Ichiro and the Mariners visiting the Reds, and the Dodgers at their NL West rivals, the Padres. So your best bet is to check out the Windy City Series — desert style — in nearby Glendale as the Cubs visit the White Sox under the sun. There’s also NBA action in downtown Phoenix at 7 p.m. as the Suns host the Jazz.

Saturday 3/20/10: Three days in a row of making Ernie proud? This time the Padres visit the Dodgers (which play in the same ballpark as the White Sox) at 7 p.m., so you could double-dip Saturday in two different ballparks by catching one of eight day games in the Valley of the Sun. But keep in mind, this particular Saturday is also “split-squad Saturday” with all but three games designated as split-squad (when some of your favorites may not be suiting up where you’ll be). So for the day game, opt for a non-split squad tilt between the hometown Diamondbacks visiting the Mariners in Peoria, or the Reds taking on the Giants in Scottsdale. If you’ve never been to the mania that is Mesa, you could also check out the Cubs hosting the rising Royals.

Sunday 3/21/10: You might have to go back to work 24 hours from now, but before your flight home, catch a 1 p.m. game near the airport and at one of Phoenix’s most historic spring training pads as the A’s host the Reds at Municipal Stadium. Another nearby option is an AL West preview as the defending champion Angels host the Mariners in Tempe at 1 p.m.

CACTUS LEAGUE ULTIMATE FOUR-DAY WEEKEND NO. 2
Thursday 3/25/10: If you’re in the west, hop a first AM flight to the Valley of the Sun because tonight at 7 p.m. it’s the rivalry before the rivalry — before the rivalry. Under the lights in desert Scottsdale, it’s the Bay Bridge tune-up before the Giants and A’s play a three-game exhibition series — in the Bay area — a week later before the real season begins (the rivals meet in the regular season, May 21-23 and June 11-13). If you get into town early, get a sneak peak of the AL West as the Rangers visit the Angels in Tempe.

Interactive AP Get maps, info on every spring training site: Arizona  |  Florida

Friday 3/26/10: If you can’t catch the previous night’s game, there are eight tilts on casual Friday’s docket, including a re-match of the 2002 World Series participants, as the Angels visit the Giants in Scottsdale. There’s also the usual mania in Mesa as the Cubs host the A’s while the White Sox head south to visit their old home in Tucson to take on the Diamondbacks. This spring is the final season for the D-backs and Rockies in Tucson, which is about a two hour drive south of Phoenix. For night time entertainment in Tucson, head over to the University of Arizona as the Wildcats host Oregon in Pac-10 action at 6 p.m. Trevor Hoffman and Terry Francona, among others, are Arizona alums.

Interactive MLB’s season preview Breaking down rosters, prospects of every team.

In Phoenix, consider some NBA action as the Suns host the Knicks at 7 p.m. in downtown Phoenix, or head over to Arizona State for some Pac-10 baseball as the Sun Devils host Cal at 6:30 p.m. ASU has won five college baseball titles, and alums include Reggie Jackson and Dustin Pedroia, among others.

Saturday 3/27/10: If you’re down in Tucson, pay tribute to Willie “Mays” Hayes from “Major League” movie fame as the Rockies host the White Sox at Hi-Corbett Field (come night time, Arizona hosts Oregon again at 6 p.m.). Up in the Valley of the Sun, there are seven games on the slate including the Giants at the Angels in Tempe; Padres at the Cubs in Mesa; Mariners at the Dodgers in Glendale; and the hometown Diamondbacks at the Indians in Goodyear. If you’re up in the Phoenix area, have a howling good time at a hockey game as the Coyotes host the Avalanche at 6 p.m. in Glendale or visit Tempe to see the Sun Devils host Cal at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday 3/28/10: Before flying back home, follow the mania that is Mesa as the flock of lovable losers travel west to Peoria to see the Cubs visit the Mariners. Closer to the airport, the Rockies visit the A’s at Phoenix Municipal Stadium; the Padres take on the Giants in Scottsdale; and the Indians travel to Tempe to battle the Angels.