Spring Training: Who's going?

[kylehess10]

Who's all going? I'm still putting the final touches on my first trip to Spring Training, but here are the 3 games I should be attending:

Braves vs. Tigers March 19th

Astros vs. Yankees March 20th

Braves vs. Cardinals March 21st



Anybody able to give me some tips for the Braves & Astros complex when it comes to autographs? I'm bringing a lot of poster-sized prints of each player to get autographed. This will be my first time down there so I'll need to know where the best spot is to stand to get some 'graphs.



Also, I upgraded all my camera equipment. I have a new professional lens and even a new camera. It gives the same image quality as the full-resolution images you would find on Getty & AP. It's going to come in handy when Spring Training equipment comes available, and finding Spring Training photos to find photomatches are rare. If anybody wants to request a certain player they would like pictures of, then feel free to do so! I'm going to these games to take pictures more than to watch the game.

[Dewey2007]

Re: Spring Training: Who's going?

Who's all going? I'm still putting the final touches on my first trip to Spring Training, but here are the 3 games I should be attending:

Braves vs. Tigers March 19th

Astros vs. Yankees March 20th

Braves vs. Cardinals March 21st



Anybody able to give me some tips for the Braves & Astros complex when it comes to autographs? I'm bringing a lot of poster-sized prints of each player to get autographed. This will be my first time down there so I'll need to know where the best spot is to stand to get some 'graphs.



Also, I upgraded all my camera equipment. I have a new professional lens and even a new camera. It gives the same image quality as the full-resolution images you would find on Getty & AP. It's going to come in handy when Spring Training equipment comes available, and finding Spring Training photos to find photomatches are rare. If anybody wants to request a certain player they would like pictures of, then feel free to do so! I'm going to these games to take pictures more than to watch the game.

Kyle, if you have some nice shots you like of the players you are trying to get autos from you should bring a few extras. Maybe the players would be willing to trade you a bat or something in exchange for a photo. Just a thought.

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training: Who's going?

If anybody wants to request a certain player they would like pictures of, then feel free to do so! I'm going to these games to take pictures more than to watch the game.

Kyle -

Enjoy your 1st ST... it's a great experience! I'm still planning out my 2010 ST trip... this will be my 8th year going... but mine will be Cactus League in Arizona as the family (3 bothers and Mom) all live in Tucson and Phoenix...

I would VERY much appreciate any photos of Tony LaRussa, Pujols, Matt Holliday and Mark McGwire as the Cards are here early at Coors Field this year. If you can send me 'proofs' to choose from and prices, that would be awesome! Also, 'if' Larry Walker is there - I've heard he's mad e a few ST appearances with the Cards, I'd like one of him too.

Again - enjoy the experience!

All the best -

Chris

[coxfan]

Re: Spring Training: Who's going?

All my experience with the Braves and Astros' homes are from spring training of 2005 and 2006. Our experience with the Braves' complex was that the Braves are great signers, with signings mainly going on before the game at their dugout. You needed a ball to toss to them as it's not easy to get other items to the dugout. Sometimes visiting teams will sign at their dugouts as well. Occasionally, regulars like Chipper will interact with fans as they come out of the game around the 5th inning, but it's usually only briefly with kids.

However, the two Cardinal games we attended showed the Cards as very poor signers at Vero Beach, where you could walk right up to the players since there were no dugouts. ( Unfortunately, Vero Beach is no longer home to the Dodgers.) We didn't go to the Cards' home or see them play elsewhere. At Vero Beach, LaRussa simply walked right by auto-seekers without even waving or speaking, much less signing. I think his attitude affected the whole team, though 3B coach Oquendo was great with auto's and likes to talk to fans. Schumaker also signed readily, but nobody else did on the Cards even though the Dodgers signed readily.

The Astros' complex is fairly friendly to signers, around both dugouts. You can also have a crack at BP balls at a practice field near the main stadium, accessible just past the parking lot. The Astro's also sold a g-u item or two at charity auctions on the concourse and in their stadium store, though the items were from spring training. Once the game starts, the Astros are strict about staying in your seats or in the concourse ( not visible from the field), because their stadium is small.

I didn't see any g-u items for sale by the Braves. Their stadium is very fan-friendly, with a concourse similar to Turner Field where you can stand and watch the game; plus a grassy berm. They sold out three of the four games we saw. Ordering in advance is thus advisable. They're great in giving a quick credit-card refund if rained out, since spring training usually does that rather than rain-checks.

[sugarpam]

Re: Spring Training: Who's going?

I'm heading down to my third Spring Training this year. A week away from the Canadian winter, following my beloved Blue Jays - couldn't ask for anything more!

I've got tickets for seven games:
-Rays @ Jays
-Jays @ Pirates
-Orioles @ Jays
-Tigers @ Jays
-Jays @ Yankees
-Jays @ Phillies
-Yankees @ Jays

And I think we're goint to throw in a Tampa Bay Lightning game while we're down there.

I booked my trip in November, and have been (not so) patiently waiting for March to roll around ever since.

I have no doubt you'll have a great time Kyle, and I'm sure you'll come back with A TON of great photos!

-Pam

[suave1477]

Re: Spring Training: Who's going?

I go every year to the Yankees in Tampa. Still planning my trip this year. But should be going.

[grenda12]

Re: Spring Training: Who's going?

Ill be out in Glendale March 5-15th!

[BMH]

Re: Spring Training: Who's going?

I'll be in Arizona Feb. 22nd through sometime in March. Haven't decided when to come back yet.

[platinum1]

Re: Spring Training: Who's going?

I'll be in Arizona Feb. 22nd through sometime in March. Haven't decided when to come back yet.

LUCKY!!

[Rob L]

Re: Spring Training: Who's going?

Finalizing a trip to check out the Angels in March.

[mariner_gamers]

Re: Spring Training: Who's going?

I live just outside downtown Phoenix and will be attending games all over the valley this year. Several in Peoria, out in Goodyear to see the Reds, Tempe Diablo twice for the Angels and probably the A's or Giants.

[whatupyos]

Re: Spring Training: Who's going?

I'll be in Arizona Feb. 22nd through sometime in March. Haven't decided when to come back yet.

Brian,

Why would you ever want to come back???? LOL I love it in AZ.

Aaron

[xpress34]

Cactus League

BMH and all others going to AZ... I don't have my dates yet - the wife and I are going to Sin City the last weekend of February and then I will be going on furlough (Laid Off) - but job attached with Unemployment Benes - so I may do an extended ST this year. I usually do a week, might do 2 this year.

I'll let you all know my dates - maybe we can meet up at some games or for a drink after... I will have to do Hi Corbett for the Rox last ST in Tucson and then will be hitting the Rangers for sure and Probably the Angels, Dodgers, White Sox and Mariners.

All the best -

Chris

[markfd]

Re: Spring Training: Who's going?

Headed down to Viera for the 5th consecutive year. I am doing something different this year and heading down the week full team workouts start as opposed to exhibition games.

Kyle, you are really missing out by not taking in a game at the Astros facility it is my favorite, easy access to both teams and great sight lines for photos. The braves facility is awesome but not very good for getting stuff signed. I enjoyed watching a game at the Tigers facility but did not have much luck with autographs there either.

[murfsteve25]

Re: Spring Training: Who's going?

Anybody able to give me some tips for the Braves & Astros complex when it comes to autographs? This will be my first time down there so I'll need to know where the best spot is to stand to get some 'graphs.

Kyle, Your going to have an amazing time at the Braves complex! My first time going was back in 2005. I'd much rather go to a spring training game than a regular season game.

Inside the stadium, a great spot to stand in down the first base line. Specifically, where the infield dirt and outfield grass meet. Players usually come over and sign after pre game throwing and running.

Outside the stadium, a really good spot to stand is behind the right field wall. Players usually drive/walk past you on the way inside the stadium and you can get auto's there. Youll be standing behing home plate of one of the practice fields. I've attached a pic with an arrow pointing to this spot, if the pic turns out too small then i will try and email it to you.

Also, If you have time id REALLY recommend taking an entire day out and spend it at the practice fields. Watching the minor leaguers practice is pretty cool. I did this once and i was the only fan there. I sat on the bleachers behind home plate and watched BP. I chased foul balls all around the field too. No competition. You'd also get some GREAT pics too.