Spring Training Trips & Tips?

by Technotofu on Sep 20, 2008 10:38 PM PDT Comment 9 comments

Hey folks,

I know it's not until March, but anyone have any good Spring Training tips? Like how far in advance do you have to buy tickets, which parks are better, where to get close to the players (my son would love to hang with Kurt Suzuki, for example) nearby hotels, etc?

I see that the A's boosters organize a trip each year, but since I'm not retired, I can probably only make it to two games max. Any thoughts would be most appreciated!

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I'm probably not much help

I’ve gone the past two years.
drove out for a weekend stay on a friend’s couch.
bought some cheap seats on ticketmaster… I think the “convenience fee” in 2007 cost just as much as the ticket.

-wander around Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale. Pretty much whatever my friend has in mind.
-wander around Papago park in the morning for an hour or so and see the minor league players and an occasional major league player do drills and what not.
-golf
-movies for some A/C relief

It was HOT in 2007… High 90s.

needless to say, I’ll be keeping an eye on this for ideas in ’09.

by buddahead9 on Sep 21, 2008 2:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Listen for Robert Buan's post game show.

He"ll generally have it at a restaurant ofr bar and whoever the featured player will be very accessible. Also keep an ear to the ground for any charitable events the guys are hosting or participating in.

I'm not a big wine guy... Where do you grow the BEER?

by str8tarrow on Sep 21, 2008 6:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I have plenty of suggestions but make sure to VOTE FOR BILL KING

deadline September 30, 2008

http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/awards/frick_2008/vote.jsp

by 33SwisherSweet on Sep 21, 2008 4:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Advance tickets recommended for Mesa (or any game featuring the Cubs for that matter)

And Scottsdale (Giants) on weekends. Other than that, you can usually just walk-up and get decent tix on the DOG, w/o the service fee. If you’re only going for two days and you want to cram as much baseball as possible in to your time, wait until later in the exhibition season when you can catch some day/night game splits – the early season schedule is mostly day games.

If you’re at Phoenix Muni (A’s), try to get tickets around the plate area, under the shade structure. The bleachers (down the lines – NO outfield seating) are pretty rough as they are bare metal, which gets quite hot and is unforgivingly reflective of the Arizona sun when not filled with a capacity crowd. The outfield view of the Papagos is nice, and the A’s training facility (one of the few open to the public) is just a short hop away form the park.

If you’re at Scottsdale, buy cheap outfield lawn seats and, once inside the park, head toward the Charro Lounge in right field. For about $60 you can upgrade your ticket for a table on the right field porch right above the Giants bullpen, enjoy all-you-can-eat food and drink (including beer/wine!) brought to you by the wait staff. Be on the look out for the many taters served up by Zito.

Maryvale (Brewers) is decent, and you can nearly always get great seats on the DOG, as the crowds there are usually pretty weak. Ditto Peoria (Padres & Mariners).

Unless you’re really into their teams, Tucson(Rockies, White Sox, D-Backs) isn’t really worth the long trek –the city is kind of a downer and doesn’t offer nearly as many non-baseball diversions as Phoenix.

I’ve never been to Surprise (Royals, Rangers) but I’ve heard it’s nice. It’s also the Royals & Rangers though…

Tempe (home of the Angels) sucks. Don’t bother.

by elhefe on Sep 21, 2008 5:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

oh, also....

After the exhibition season begins, most of the big league A’s train at Phoneix muni. It’s usually open, free to the public on days when there is no home game scheduled. A catcher’s workout here is probably your best bet at a Suzuki autograph opportunity.

by elhefe on Sep 21, 2008 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Muchas gracias, El Hefe!

Great info — planning this trip will give us something to look forward to over the long winter.

by Technotofu on Sep 21, 2008 6:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree about Tempe sucking

Post-renovation I think that’s a nice ballpark, with the friendliest ushers handing out sunblock. The traffic is pretty bad around it, but it’s bad around most of the ballparks (the A’s are an exception, you can get in and out of that parking lot with a minimum of hassle). If you’re driving and you’re going to Scottsdale stadium, park at the mall (free) and take the shuttle bus (free, although you should tip) to the stadium.

Every year I’ve been has been more crowded than the year before, and next year with the Dodgers moving in I expect it to be even worse (next year is also World Baseball Classic, so some stars may be missing). I think the Giants sold out all their home games last year.

Everything is sunshine when you are Ray Fosse, bitches.

by stormtown on Sep 21, 2008 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I buy my tickets from the Coliseum, no extra fees.

That may be cuz I’m a season ticket holder, but it would not hurt to ask. You don’t have to buy the most expensive seats for non-primo games as you can always get a “Free Seat Upgrade”. Renting a car is a huge rip-off as that is a source of their fees for the year. You can expect to pay almost as much for the car as your lodging. If you are going to Scottsdale, give yourself plennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnty of time to secure parking. The ballpark is in downtown Scottsdale so you have plenty of competition from the business community & workforce.
The food at the A’s ballaprk is pretty bad. Hotdogs, Nachos, candy & wimpy hamburgers. I would pick something up outside the stadium. Parking has been consistently $5 and like the Coliseum ,there is a bridge connecting the parking lot & stadium.
My favorite stadium is Surprise ( home of both Royals & Rangers). Maryvale & the Cubs ballparks are nice. The worst thing about the Angels’s ballpark is the inhabitants. The ballparks with the exception of Surprise & Tucson are within a few miles of each other.
YOu MUST, MUST make a reservation for Don & Charlies, the penultimate sports bar & restaurant and souvenir museum extraordinaire.
Plan on going to Papago Park in the morning before the game & catch the minor league games. You never know who you will run into . I think there are maybe 5-6 adjoining diamonds and the players are so serious as they go about their work.

"We get two outs, and I was sure, and I had a plan, and I shook Tek off," Schilling said. "And I get a big 'What if?' for the rest of my life."

by Imaseasonticketholder on Sep 21, 2008 9:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs