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Those 3 Little Words
February 23- This is roughly a week late, but this time
I actually put some thought into the column. Every year, right around the 14th of
February, you hear Those 3 Little Words - "Pitchers. Catchers. Report." Baseball's
Spring Training is like no other sport and definitely my favorite portion of
the season. If every regular season game were held in a spring training environment,
I'd be the first in line to buy season tickets every year. Even for the Rockies.
For the past several years I've been visiting spring training sites annually. On a whim, I drove
to Arizona in March 1997 to watch the Cactus League. I returned two more times,
but in 2001 I began
flying to Florida's Grapefruit League every year. This year, I'm forgoing my Florida trip
and returning to Arizona for the first time in four years. To get myself and any other potential
Spring Training visitors fired up, I thought I'd publish the
Official eStragand Spring Training Visitors Guide. Split into Cactus and Grapefruit, these have no
real order, but cover 16 fields and 18 teams. In no way do I expect to be "THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY", but
if you're planning on going either Cactus or
Grapefruit this March check through this page for a few tips. (I recommend using your
browser's "FIND" function to see if your team is listed).
Unless noted, tickets are easily attained at the box office or right outside the park. There's no
reason to EVER pay more than face value for your tickets.
Face value is the going rate for the big name teams
(Dodgers, Yankees, Braves, Cubs, etc). It's possible to get less-than-face-value for
the other teams, but it's not worth your time. If someone approaches you selling a ticket for
face or less, no shame in buying it. You can wait until the first inning for a cheap ticket, but by
then you've saved 2 lousy bucks and
missed a good portion of what Spring Training has to offer.
Keep in mind, these are all written from first-hand accounts. Autographs are a big part of
Spring Training games, so unless it's specified, each field has the same autograph formula:
first-base dugout end and tarps for home; third-base dugout end and tarps for visitors.
Also, if you're from one of those states where it SNOWS from November through April...you'll
probably prefer a night game at Spring Training. Even with sunblock, we pasty white
northerners can easily get burned by the third inning of a day game. 90% of ST games are
day games, however. If you decide on a day game, a typical rule of thumb is that the infield boxes
are covered in shade. Outfield bleachers are uncovered sweat boxes. If you're uncovered, make sure to
get out of the sun at least once before the 6th inning.
Cactus League Parks
Hi-Corbett Field (Tucson. Colorado Rockies)
Located in the middle of a large city park, adjacent to a golf course, there are several ways to get
to the field. Lots of free parking is available, if you don't mind a stroll through the park. First time I went, I looked for the large field lights, found
a spot and walked maybe 100 yards. Tucson traffic is
light, but if you're not in a hurry, hike over to the golf course's driving range and smash
a few palm trees.
The facility itself is rather ordinary, but fits well into the park.
Not shiny or picturesque, yet not rundown or crappy.
Day games in the bleachers can be a killer. The bleachers are bright, reflective aluminum.
Sitting in the right field/first base bleachers can be hazardous. Crescent seating layout, and you can't
walk around the entire field.
Autographs are available at the usual outlets: third base dugout for visitors, first base dugout for
the Rockies. Towards the end of the game, the Rockies players exit the field in the right field corner.
There's a fan walkway at the end of the bleachers that allows you to hang out and haggle. Visiting players
leave through the third base concourse. After a game, the concourse is roped off, but fans can stand at
the end and haggle. Players have usually
changed out of their uniforms by the time they exit, so it's good to know faces, not just numbers.
HoHoKam Park (Mesa. Chicago Cubs)
Large dirt field parking, and the field is located at a busy semi-neighborhood intersection.
Traffic can be tough, as only a few exit routes exist.
HoHoKam tries to emulate Wrigley somewhat. Infield section is adequate, but grass seating is available
in left field and parts of center. Right field is closed off and is used for the bullpens. Left field/third
base bleachers can be hazardous for a sunburn.
Autographs at the usual outlets, but the place is typically packed and crowds are heavy.
Tucson Electric Park (Tucson. Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox)
Spacious complex, located in a empty field. Nothing but gravel parking lots
surround it. Reminiscent of a 1970's drive-in movie theatre with
the gray gravel and wide open level-ness.
Both the Sox and D-backs have separate buildings located near the box office.
Facility is nice and fairly new. Since two teams share it, the only unique qualities
are the pennants and signage, which are swapped out depending on which team is "home".
Very similar to your local public-use softball or semi-pro baseball stadium.
Autographs can be attained at the end of the netting, behind homeplate. End of the dugouts also works.
Tempe/Diablo Stadium (Tempe. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)
Part of a local sports complex and minor league team, with plenty of parking and traffic options.
There's a WhattaBurger nearby!
Like most Cactus fields, it's rather cookie-cutter. Nicest feature is the large rock mountain
out behind left field. It's part of the facility, with a road cut into it. Right field is ugly, with
a large fence and light poles.
Autographs at the third base side for visitors, and above the first-base tunnel for the Angels. Pre-game
for visitors, it's best to hang out at the outfield end of the dugout. You're butt-up to
the dugout, there.
After the game, visiting players exit at the right
field corner. Went to a day game and big-name players (i.e Troy Glaus), were still coming OUT of the
locker room and up the Angels' tunnel
to sign autographs, 30 minutes after the game. So basically, when the game's over,
head to the right-field/first-base side for both teams.
Peoria Sports Complex (Peoria. San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners)
Very similar to Tucson Electric Park, although Peoria has a complete field walk-around (you can walk
around the entire field beyond the outfield).
Again, interchangeable banners and graphics make the park almost indistinguishable from any other.
Grass seating is available in the outfield, and most of the vendors stationed out there
have "cutesy food". No hot dogs or beer-- stuff like space-age ice cream or lemonade.
Rather tough for autographs. Best bet is along the tarps, before a game.
The tunnel at the end of right field/first base is okay, but the tunnel
itself if huge. The railing is rather cumbersome, too, so you'll have to REALLY stretch
to reach a player's hand. Not a comfortable place to haggle. Dugouts are not recommended, as
players are blocked by large camera pits. It's possible to get an autograph there, but be
prepared to holler and throw your items.
Grapefruit Parks
McKechnie Field (Bradenton. Pittsburgh Pirates)
Located on a neighborhood street, traffic can be slow for big-name games (i.e Yankees
and Red Sox). Most of the parking is located south of the field in retail stores. Approaching the
field from the south is usually easier, but it's also a long, winding, and confusing-to-tourists drive.
Parking just outside the first base side is typically bumpy, disorganized and unpaved. Worth noting
that McKechnie boasts the cheapest ticket prices in all of Spring Training.
Funny thing, if you look beyond the right field wall, you can see a set of smoke stacks on
the horizon. Fitting for Pittsburgh. Palm trees dot the outfield, but there's no walkaround
path. Left field/third base side is primo territory for a sunburn. The team store has lots of good stuff,
but is cramped. A large picnic area tent is next to the team store, behind first base. Despite what the
brochures say, there's NO way to watch a game while you're sitting in the picnic area. Unless the
game is being televised (which is rare). GREEN dominates much of the field's interior architecture.
There's an enthusiastic beer vendor who works the infield. Probably in his late 20's or early 30's,
he makes some genuinely entertaining comments and starts some funny cheers.
Good spot for autographs is at the the right field corner for the Pirates, and
the end of left field for visitors. The ramps that lead down and away from the field are better
spots. The barriers aren't obtrusive and you can easily pass items to the
players on the ground level portions of each ramp. If it's before a game, being at the top of the ramp is
terrible. The Pirates bullpen mound is right next to the wall, so the chances of a player
walking THROUGH the warmup session to sign your junk are non-existent.
The Pirates' batting cage is also
located behind the first base bleachers. Usually, one or two Pirates will officially sign autographs
before a game, next to the team store and picnic area. Lines are fairly large, but
over 50% of the people have no idea WHO they're waiting for. Don't be afraid to walk
up and check the name placards at the signing table. Pirates routinely bring in 4-5 old timers
as special guests. So it's possible to see Mike LaValliere, Andy Van Slyke, Kent Tekulve,
Dave Parker and others. If the game is on KDKA radio, Pirates announcer (and Game 5 1992 NLCS hero)
Bob Walk can usually be found wandering around and accomadating autograph requests.
Lee County Sports Complex (Ft. Myers. Twins)
A multi-use complex, with extra fields and parking. Easy to get to, on the south side of
Ft. Myers. When in the parking lot, note
the "street names", as they're all named after former Twins (Kirby Puckett Dr., Kent Hrbek St., etc)
The stadium's exterior is VERY impressive. The walkway through the parking lot to
the first base side is quite picturesque. Palm trees and lighting fixtures compliment it well.
(hey-- I did some work for the company that manufactured the light poles).
Stone architecture and a large staircase behind homeplate also add to the appeal.
Inside, the field is fairly normal, with no walkaround path. Beyond right field
you can see a swamp and a highway. High cypress trees and/or palm trees dot the outfield. It's almost
like the swamp is creeping into the field.
Autographs are best at the end of each dugout (third base side for Twins) and along the tarps.
Joker Marchant Stadium (Lakeland. Detroit Tigers)
Well situated in amongst "Tiger Town". Lots of trees and plenty of parking. Tiger
banners and signs dot the area, so its easy to find. Training facilities are located
nearby and players often walk between the two. Seemed very warm and welcoming.
Stadium itself is essentially two slabs of bleachers.
Showed signs of wear, with most
of the recent rennovations going into a large clubhouse in the right field corner. Looks nicer
on the outside.
Usual areas for autographs. After the game, hop outside the field and in front of the
first-base clubhouse exit. Players from BOTH teams walk though this area and only a rope
acts as the border. If they're still alive, look for two old ladies who collect photographs of
the players...they can recognize ANYBODY, even in street clothes. The Tigers' parking lot is
behind the clubhouse exit. If you have stones and don't feel like being TOO big of a dick,
most of the players will sign on the way to their cars.
Legends Field (Tampa. New York Yankees)
Located on a busy intersection, close to the Tampa airport. Well marked and easy to find.
Gigantic complex, and most
of the parking is to the east. A large footbridge takes you up and over the busy road.
Not surprising, its one of the toughest places to get tickets. If you can't find tickets,
ask around for Sammy the Parking Lot Manager, with the World Series ring. He usually has
an extra set of tickets to sell. There's a large upscale shopping mall to the west, with a huge
selection of restaurants. Also, Lee Roy Selmon's Steakhouse is nearby.
Training fields are right next door. You can see all of the players up close
on the fields. Fences are roughly 10 feet high, but offer plenty of good places to watch
the Yanks. Watch for the golfcarts carrying the guest instructors. Yogi's usually
an annual visitor. Behind homeplate is a mini version of Monument Park, with
plaques honoring all the famous retired numbers in Yankee history. Inside, the park does
its best to resemble Yankee stadium, right down to the scaffolding. Frank Sinatra is
played after EVERY game. "God Bless America" during the
7th inning stretch, too. For some genuine fun, hang out on the visitors' side before
each game and listen to the New York locals heckle the opponents.
Across the street and to the south are the minor league fields. Parking is monitored here, but
you can walk into the fields and check out the depleted rosters of Columbus and Albany.
Not that it means anything, but when I went to Legends, I ran into "Nasty Boy" Brian Knobbs in the mens'
room.
Autographs are few and far between at Legends Field. Security is tight and crowds
are huge. Best place is along the tarps, since the dugouts are usually
patrolled by typical asshole New York rent-a-cops.
Chain of Lakes Park (Winter Haven. Cleveland Indians)
Getting to Winter Haven seems easy on a map...but along the way you'll
run into several twists, turns, road-merges and other obstacles. You'll probably
pass a few orange orchards on the way-- good for us tourists. Once you
arrive in the actual town of Winter Haven, start looking for the big Chief Wahoo
water tower. Navigate your way to the tower, and the field is right there.
Built between a golf course, condo complex, and a lake, it seems like
a "country" game. Indians colors are everywhere and there's no mistaking it
for anybody else's park. Bob Feller appears at a good portion of the games and, of
course, sticks around to throw the first pitch sign autographs.
The concourse can seem a little cramped behind
homeplate. No outfield walkaround, either.
Best place for Indians autographs is the right field corner, as players enter/exit the
clubhouse. Visitors pass through the tunnel on the left field side, but the Indians' side is
more open. Small barriers, so you can easily meet and talk to players on the same level.
Dodger Town (Vero Beach. Los Angeles Dodgers)
Similar to the Tiger Town layout, built amongst a golfcourse and next to a small airport.
Frankly, the nicest Spring Training facility in baseball. Rarely renovated or modified
since its original construction, Dodger Town is the Wrigley Field of Spring Training. If
you can only visit ONE ST field, make it Vero Beach.
Before the game, make sure to wander down
the hill to the practice fields. Players from both teams practice there, and use the same
paths as the fans to get to the field. It feels like you're hanging out at a high school ball field
with big league players. Huge trees and a nice footbridge that crosses a creek. Be alert for
Tommy LaSorda and his high speed Go-Cart of Death. Seriously--you've been warned.
The field's seating is excellent, built into the hills. The barrier between the first row
and the field? A simple 4-foot high chain link fence. The front row of seats is on the same level as
the playing field. The councourses feel cramped, but that adds to
the amazing time-warp feel of the entire complex.
Best place for pre-game autographs is along the path to the practice fields and the bridge.
All traffic to and from the fields bottlenecks at the bridge, so every player
will pass through that area. Some players get shuttled through the bottleneck
in golf carts. For instance, Dodgers stud Eric Gagne zipped by on a cart, despite
the efforts of some teenagers to roadblock him.
Once inside, autographs can be found anywhere between the dugouts and end of the outfield.
Went to a game in 2003,
and rain delayed the start. Maury Wills and Shawn Green came out in a golfcart, shielded by a tarp,
to sign autographs for fans. Coincedentally, a professional writer must have been to the same
exact game, since he wrote about the SAME incident in his book! Either that, or the Dodgers
do it alot.
Cracker Jack Stadium (Disney's Wide World of Sports. Braves)
The WORST ST field. Note that's is a "Stadium" not a park or field. Also, that it's
"Cracker Jack". It's in the middle
of Disney's Wide World of Sports area, so be prepared. This is not a paid admission theme park,
but you can't tell the difference. All the cutesy Disney parking signs can become confusing.
Lots circles the stadium for roughly 1 mile, so be ready to walk.
Speakers hang at every section. They never stop playing commercials, jingles or crappy music.
Stupid sound effects are abundant. For instance, a Braves batter grounded out, 5-3. The
speaker jockeys played an Austin Powers "Yeah, Baby!" sound clip. It's like
trying to have a nice dinner at Chuck E. Cheese.
One positive point. Cracker Jack Stadium had the best food. Go behind the first base side and pass-out to
get the gyros. They also had a good selection of beer. No micro-brew crap..just alot of
mainstream variety.
Autographs: forget it. It's mostly a family-friendly baseball theme-park. That means
lots of kids and their moms. I wouldn't recommend even attempting an autograph unless
you feel like being a complete PRICK by shovelling rugrats out of your way.
Progress Energy Park (St. Petersburg. Tampa Bay Devil Rays)
Good idea to make a day (or night) of St. Petersburg. Daytime parking is substantially
less than gametime parking. Daytime parking is good until 6...but if you're already in your
spot by 6, you can stay until 11pm. Downtown St. Pete has a nice waterfront, shopping complex
and plenty of restaurants. Very few toursist are aware that there's a ball field within walking distance.
The nearby Pier complex has a nice blend of quirky shops, boat trips and restaurants. A free shuttle bus
runs along the pier, too.
Progress Energy Park/Ed Lang Field is ugly. A big gray concrete slab. A strange contrast to
St. Pete's scenic area. The outfield wall butts up to
a large aluminum warehouse. Beyond left field, you can see Tampa Bay,
a yacht club and a small airport.
Nice grassy areas along the outfield, but the ushers really lockdown on who
can go in and out of these areas. If you have a seat, I believe you have to go outside the bleachers and
enter the grass from outside the concourse.
Best place for pre-game autographs is the grassy areas. Devil Rays on the
first-base side, visitors
on third-base. A simple chain link fence separates the fans from the field in the grassy areas.
Also possible to get post-game autographs along the dugouts and tarps.
Brighthouse Networks Field (Clearwater. Phillies)
New facility and it's quite large. Parking is abundant, but do NOT take the free shuttle. I was roughly
200 yards from the entrance and decided to take it. It went on a 1 mile drive and didn't get me to the
entrance for another 15 minutes.
Nice Steve Carlton statue and waterfountain at the third-base entrance. Tiki bar out in left field, along
with several upscale restaurants. You can walk around the entire field, with grass seating
throughout the outfield. Nice air-conditioned teamstores. Feel free to visit them if you
start sweating buckets. Seating and aisles are average, but the concourses are quite large.
The third-base side/left field is especially huge. New
sound system installed, but it's not as annoying as the Braves' complex.
Autographs available at the usual spots. Also at the edges of the homeplate
netting, if crowds are light.
Knology Park (Dunedin. Toronto BlueJays)
Finding it can be tough. It's not a popular attraction, and even the locals don't
know where it is. In the middle of a suburban neighborhood, and it's basically a fancy
high school field. Limited (and expensive) parking is available by the park, but drive north about a
block and park in some dude's lawn for 3 bucks. Free parallel parking in the neighborhood
may be available if
you arrive early, but I wouldn't count on it.
Two giant, unused concrete pillars dominate the left side of the field. Again, it looks like a
high school
and aside from a few banners and the availability of LaBatt's, it could be anyone's
field. Outfield is a melting pot of billboard ads and fences. Nothing to see beyond the outfield,
except dozens of athletic fields and sprinklers.
Probably the best ST field for autographs. The area at the end of right field is huge and
accessible. Players and fans can easily mingle without crowds forming. A large ten foot fence
separates right field from the players clubhouse. This fence is made up
of vertical poles, so there's no blockage and you can easily reach through. Smallest
barrier between fans and players, anywhere.
Ed Smith Stadium (Sarasota. Cincinnati Reds)
Easy to find, as it's located on two main drags of Sarasota. Look for the cool Mr.Red sign at the end
of the complex. If you arrive early, you can cruise through the training fields and
watch the players. Game parking is available just north of the stadium, across the street in a huge
grassy lot.
A few retail stores to the west also offer gameday parking.
Old facility and despite the fact that it was "updated" for the Reds in 1998,
it still feels ancient. A slight overhang exists along the infield seats, with
an effect similar to Dodger Stadium's outfield.
Good sight lines from anywhere in the park. Left field bleachers
can land you a nasty sunburn if you're not careful. Similar to the BlueJays'
outfield, there's nothing to see--just more billboards and fences.
Autographs are easily available along the walls on both sides. Security seemed to be a little more
restrictive on the Reds' side (first base). As game time gets closer, ushers restrict who
can go down to the lower seats. So if you're down by the dugouts, do NOT come up until
you're ready to sit down in your assigned seat. After the game, the visitor's bus pulls
up just outside the left field corner. Players stream from the dugout to the corner, with the best
spot being the left field gate.
There was also "Baseball City", the old Florida home of the Kansas City Royals.
Built on the old Circus World area, just southwest of Orlando. It was very easy to get to, although
the training fields were fenced off. Fields were a great spot to take pictures--just poke your lens
through the fence. Royals moved to Arizona for the 2003 season and I believe the facility is now
a softball complex.
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