2011 Spring Training Thread

[mariner_gamers]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

I live in Phoenix and will be at the Mariners practice fields throughout March. Look for the guy with the bag of Mariner game bats, stop by and say hi!

[sox83cubs84]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

We're headed to Fort Myers to spring training for the first time. The two scheduled games that we are going to are 1 o'clock games in mid March. I would love to hear any suggestions on any "must-do" items, best ways to catch players, as well as things to avoid doing. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Beyond left field is a practice diamond which produces a decent number of BP home runs over its left field fence. There are nets up but many go over or through them. Two biggest obstacles to a productive day: 1) kids, many of whom will flock to you and stand next to and around you if you're lucky enough to catfch one or two; (2) Ballhawks from Chicago, most of whom will try to catch everything that comes out, and will think nothing of "pimping" you (running or reaching in front of you to steal a baseball you have a shot at). Also, there is a medical facility parking lot across the street in left field, and, sometimes, a facility employee or security guard will restrict you from sprinting into the parking lot to chase or catch fly balls.

Dave Miedema

[mwbosoxfan]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

Beyond left field is a practice diamond which produces a decent number of BP home runs over its left field fence. There are nets up but many go over or through them. Two biggest obstacles to a productive day: 1) kids, many of whom will flock to you and stand next to and around you if you're lucky enough to catfch one or two; (2) Ballhawks from Chicago, most of whom will try to catch everything that comes out, and will think nothing of "pimping" you (running or reaching in front of you to steal a baseball you have a shot at). Also, there is a medical facility parking lot across the street in left field, and, sometimes, a facility employee or security guard will restrict you from sprinting into the parking lot to chase or catch fly balls.

Dave Miedema

Dave- Thanks for the tips. On a 1 o'clock game in mid March, how early does any activity start on the practice fields and how open is the entire facility. Thanks again.

John

[sox83cubs84]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

Dave- Thanks for the tips. On a 1 o'clock game in mid March, how early does any activity start on the practice fields and how open is the entire facility. Thanks again.

John

Don;t recall specifics inside the stadium...but the lot i mentioned can have action as early as 10-11 AM.

Dave Miedema

[mwbosoxfan]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

Don;t recall specifics inside the stadium...but the lot i mentioned can have action as early as 10-11 AM.

Dave Miedema

Dave- Thanks for the info!

John

[hrocket]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

I went last year for the 1st time, it was great. I noticed that some of the parks had small practice fields outside the main park. Has anyone ever graphed those parks, are they easy to get to?

For example, Camelback Ranch has a bunch of baseball fields around the main park, has anyone graphed those?

What's the best time to get there in the morning?

[OaklandAsFan]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

if you guys are not interested in actually watching the games and only scoring graphs the teams take BP on their home fields before heading to the game. so if, for example, you wanted to get the Giants but they were playing vs Oakland that day go watch BP up in Scottsdale (which would be free to get into and have 1/10 the people there to deal with)

[xpress34]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

if you guys are not interested in actually watching the games and only scoring graphs the teams take BP on their home fields before heading to the game. so if, for example, you wanted to get the Giants but they were playing vs Oakland that day go watch BP up in Scottsdale (which would be free to get into and have 1/10 the people there to deal with)

That's true at single facility parks, but not like Surpise, Camel Back Ranch, etc that have two teams sharing the facility as the other team is usually playing a home game.

- Smitty

[OaklandAsFan]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

but with the dual facility places they each have their own practice fields and that is what they use to take BP. For instance if the Rangers were playing in Surprise on a certain day you could still go watch the Royals BP on their fields (though player access is horrible on the Royals side of that complex so why bother really)

[hrocket]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

but with the dual facility places they each have their own practice fields and that is what they use to take BP. For instance if the Rangers were playing in Surprise on a certain day you could still go watch the Royals BP on their fields (though player access is horrible on the Royals side of that complex so why bother really)

If most games are at 1pm, what time would the BP take place before they get on the bus for the game at other fields?

For example, if the Dodgers are playing at Surprise, what time would they be doing BP and what time would they get on the bus, and what time would they arrive at Surprise?

Thanks OakandAsFan for the help

[OaklandAsFan]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

you should be hitting parks between 9-10 for BP. They will arrive at the game about an hour before 1st pitch so the players who are scheduled to play that day will hop on the bus (or their cars) somewhere around 11

[OaklandAsFan]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread



I have a couple of tickets for sale at Dbacks ST games this year if anyone is interested. The pic above is the view from the seat.

1 ticket available for each game

3/2- Dbacks vs Mariners
3/4 Dbacks vs Padres
3/5 Dbacks vs Rangers
3/13 Dbacks vs Cubs


I also have one seat for sale for 3/19 A's vs the White Sox at Phoenix Muni.

Each ticket would be $30, 25 face value for the ticket plus $5 for the parking pass.

The A's ticket would be $27, $22 for the ticket face value and $5 for parking and this is in a handicap accessible seat behind the A's dugout.

LMK if you're interested.

Thanks

[rays54]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

Went to Goodyear and Salt River Fields. All players that came out signed.
Love the Reds new Spring Training uniforms. Dbacks players all signed.
Good day for autographs.

[OaklandAsFan]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

Went to Goodyear and Salt River Fields. All players that came out signed.
Love the Reds new Spring Training uniforms. Dbacks players all signed.
Good day for autographs.

You are pretty much guaranteed to get Dbacks graphs if you visit them at Salt River. Kirk Gibson has made it a team rule to spend 15 minutes after each practice signing for the fans. He actually started this when he took over as manager, he knew the fan base needed something to show appreciation and required players to sign after bp every day.

[lehmsbobby]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

1 week till departure!