Is It Too Early To Talk About Spring Training?

My favorite thing to do in spring training is to arrive in the morning around 9 or 10 at the Papago Park training complex right around the corner from Phoenix Municipal.  I believe that if you were to walk out of Phoenix Muni, you would go right, and then right again at the corner to find it down the street a ways - again, on your right.  There is a parking lot there with no attendants.  

Many days, there are scrimmages taking place between minor leaguers, while at other times, just players getting their work in - Big Leaguers too.  You can get so close to the field, it feels like you're watching a high school practice.  On one recent trip, I overheard Scott Hatteberg standing near the end of the dugout commenting to another player that Kurt Suziki "can hit the shit out of the ball" and that "this kid has it".  Quite often, you can catch some of your favorite players and coaches entering and exiting the fields for autographs.  Then it's just a quick driver over to the parking lot of Phoenix Muni for the afternoon game.  

The A's big leaguers are also known to play an intra-squad game at this complex I believe two days before the real regular spring training games start.  I believe they also play one more intra-squad game (free admission is my memory) at Phoenix Muni the day before their first regular 'home' game.  

Or course,  A's 'home' games are the most fun - where else can you scream 'hey Kurt!' to Suzuki and have him smile and wave back at you in the stands actually surprised anyone recognized him or knew his name?  That being said, I'd suggest not limiting yourself to the A's only.   Or at least not going to Phoenix Muni only.  

Although I haven't found one park in the valley that I don't really like - I begrudgingly admit that the Giant's Scottsdale Stadium is my favorite park.  I really like the way the park is tucked away next to a neighborhood.  If you can get seats close to the field, you've VERY close to the action - and the outfield grass area can be fun too, although very crowded at this park the times I've been there - not so crowded at other parks.  If you have to park a long ways away from the stadium and the walk is too much - keep an eye out for guys on rickshaw bikes - they hauled me and my fat dad to the park entrance very quick.  A nice tip will be very deserving.

Don and Charlie's has become pretty well known but still is one of my favorite rest's to eat at.  I like the food, and the amount of baseball memorabilia they have up surprises me every time I go.  Tons of old signed balls, bats, etc.   The Pink Pony, a steakhouse in the Scottsdale, is of course a well known hangout for many players, coaches and umps - possibly more in years past than it is now.  

Read the local newspapers there, the days before the games you're going to and the day of the game.  Many days the big league teams split up into 'A' and 'B' teams.  Sometimes you can get a hint on which players will be at which games (especially if you're searching to see a specific starting pitcher).  Not to mention, the local papers there have extended spring training coverage, as well as maps and sometimes directions to each of the parks in the valley.  

If you like the idea of sitting near scouts with radar guns, behind the plate is for you.  At most stadiums, especially Phoenix Muni, many scouts sit behind the plate and track players.  Move into some unoccupied seats and hope you don't get kicked out (ushers rarely come into a section to check on people) while you're drinking some beer that is sold at your seat - man, I love spring training.  Oh yeah, Beane sits down there for an inning of two also.

As far as tickets go, my experience only pertains to scalping tickets outside of a park or buying tickets weeks or months in advance for a game outside of Phoenix Muni.  I've never had a problem buying a scaled ticket for a game I wanted to see, and never found the price outrageous.  Can't give you any help on buying A's tickets at Phoenix Muni as I have season tickets.  Although I am sure buying walk up tickets is almost always not a problem.  

Most importantly, I would just say that you should talk to random people about baseball.  Just start a conversation.  I've met some of the most friendly and knowledgeable fans of the game at spring training - and always find very knowing fans at their favorite teams 'home' park to talk with about their big club players and their prospects.  Everyone loves to exchange any information they may know about a player.  

Oh yeah, buy an A's media guide from the gift shop at Phoenix Muni.  It's very valuable to distinguish who is whom among all of the minor leaguers.  

This is pretty funny - winter meetings poem.

http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2007/12/0...

Been there in '06 and '07.

Stayed at the Doubletree on Van Buren, about halfway between the airport and Phoenix Municipal.

My son and I shared a suite.  Not bad.  Breakfast buffet and only one pool.  :^(

Spent a lot of time at the A's training facility at Papago Park, a good place to watch the players up close and in a pretty relaxed environment.

this will be my third year in a row.  can't wait.

for several years.  I keep kicking myself for not making it to ST when I had the chance to lodge for free.  

I've been going since 1988 but unfortunately 2008 may be the first year that I can't make it.. will most likely be taking a long business trip out of the country.  :-(   I heard the A's Spring Training schedule should be available soon.  I've always bought my tickets via an email to the a's ticket office to avoid the per ticket 'rip off' fee.  They may accomodate me because I am a season ticket holder...   I pretty much like all the ballparks , they all have their pluses and minuses.  Maryvale is nice , and  you can usually get good seats for any game.  Giants park is nice, but if you don't have seats around home plate, forget the views.  The grass is nice, but as 67Marquez said, it can get very crowded.  The Angel's ballpark in Tempe is okay, but the traffic is awful in and out of the parking lots.

I usually stay in Scottsdale , since it's very convenient for restaurants, night life and not too far to the Phoenix Muni.