Spring Training Sabattical 2012

[xpress34]

Happy March Everyone!

Spring Training Games start in earnest this weekend as we begin the annual countdown to Opening Day!

As I do every year, I will be writing about my Spring Training excursion - although this year's will be late - March 28th to April 2nd.

With it being so late, many might be wondering why I'm starting this thread so early. I am beginning it early because this year I am having a rather unique 'pre Spring Training' trip to Las Vegas in 2 weeks.

Many might wonder what Sin City has to do with Spring Training. On the weekend of March 18th and 19th, the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs will be playing a two game set at Cashman Field in Las Vegas and I already have tickets for Mrs Smitty and myself, so I will be trying to knock out a few of my Rangers pieces early so I don't have to take them to Surprise.

If any other forum members are going to be around (I know I'll be seeing my buddy Rays54) that last week, let me know and let's meet up!

All the best -

Smitty

[OaklandAsFan]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

I'll be around, I try to not drive to the west side since I live in the FAR southeast side so you will most likely run into me either at a Dbacks or Athletics home game but I wouldn't mind meeting up and chatting for a bit.

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

I'll be around, I try to not drive to the west side since I live in the FAR southeast side so you will most likely run into me either at a Dbacks or Athletics home game but I wouldn't mind meeting up and chatting for a bit.

I'll be out at Salt River for Rockies, but I'm sure we can try to meet up somewhere for a beer. There's a Sports Memorabilia store I like on the East Side (actually a few over there) - Hooper's, Boxseats, Batter's Box - and I want to make time to check out the Cactus League Museum this year. I always have it on my itenerary, but somehow I also fail to make it over there. I actually drove to it last year but it was closed the day we went by!

I'll be in touch as my trip gets closer so we can make plans to meet up.

- Smitty

[lcstate collector]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

I will be both in Vegas for the Spring Training games on March 17th and 18th and in Arizona on March 30-April 1st at Peoria and Surprise. I would be happy to meet up with you guys. Drew

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

I will be both in Vegas for the Spring Training games on March 17th and 18th and in Arizona on March 30-April 1st at Peoria and Surprise. I would be happy to meet up with you guys. Drew

Drew -

send me an eMail and I'll give you info so we can hook up either in Vegas or AZ.

- Smitty

xpress34@comcast .net

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

Ms Smitty and myself are off to Las Vegas tomorrow for what has shaped up to be a very eventful and full weekend!

We both work tomorrow (today - Thursday Mar 15th) and fly out at 9:55pm MDT.

Arrive Las Vegas as 10:55 PDT.

Friday - Niece's Wedding
Saturday - St Patty's Day AND Rangers/Cubs @ Cashman Field
Sunday - Rangers/Cubs @ Cashman Field
Monday - Drive to Hoover Damn and fly home that night

I will be back in Denver for 8 days and then the Sabattical begins on Mar 27th!!!

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

Pre Spring Training Trip Update:

On the way out to Cashman Field in Las Vegas to chase Texas Rangers Autos and meet up with LCSTATE COLLECTOR!!!

Update to follow!!!

[sox83cubs84]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

Ms Smitty and myself are off to Las Vegas tomorrow for what has shaped up to be a very eventful and full weekend!

We both work tomorrow (today - Thursday Mar 15th) and fly out at 9:55pm MDT.

Arrive Las Vegas as 10:55 PDT.

Friday - Niece's Wedding
Saturday - St Patty's Day AND Rangers/Cubs @ Cashman Field
Sunday - Rangers/Cubs @ Cashman Field
Monday - Drive to Hoover Damn and fly home that night

I will be back in Denver for 8 days and then the Sabattical begins on Mar 27th!!!

Hoover DAMN???

Dave Miedema

[jppopma]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

Hoover DAMN???

Dave Miedema

I think she works at one of the "ranches" and earns her nickname very well. HAHAHAHA.

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

Hoover DAMN???

Dave Miedema

It's become habit Dave... outside Berthoud, CO in the Big Thompson Canyon is a little store near the Big Thompson Dam called the Dam Store. When I 1st came to Colorado it was named the Damn Store and then changed to Dam Store (what with Political Correctness and all)...

That said, I started writing Dam as Damn after seeing the store the 1st time and now I can't help myself...

- Smitty

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

I think she works at one of the "ranches" and earns her nickname very well. HAHAHAHA.

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

Pre Spring Training Trip Update:

On the way out to Cashman Field in Las Vegas to chase Texas Rangers Autos and meet up with LCSTATE COLLECTOR!!!

Update to follow!!!

Now as we move on from the 'Hoover DAM' debacle...

Just got back to Denver late last night from the Las Vegas part of my Spring Training excursion...

Went to Cashman Field on Saturday and met Andrew (Drew) - lcstate collector - to watch the Rangers/Cubs and chase some autos... the only one I got on Saturday was Nelson Cruz on a piece of artwork. Hambone told us if we were going to the game he would sign inside. Unfortunately, I was not in the right position inside and missed out there too... The Rangers won 12-7.

Went back Sunday and got Matt Kata and Hambone made up for Saturday - signed my 2011 ASG Jersey and two artwork pieces! 'Eva Braun' behind home plate blocked my attempts to get Nolan's signature despite the best attempts of some of the ushers to get me down by him for a quick auto...

Drew (lcstate collector) is a great guy and it was awesome to meet him. he will be in Phoenix the same time as me, so I hope to hook up again to grab a beer and some graphs while we're there.

Pics from Cashman will be forthcoming....

- Smitty

P.S. - one week of work, then back on the road for the main portion of my annual sabbatical... driving the 1990 VW Cabrio to Phoenix (then Tucson to leave it with my brother) then flying back from Tucson.

I will be down there from sometime LATE on the 28th of March and heading to Tucson either Saturday night (March 31st) or Sunday morning (April 1st) and flying back to Denver Tuesday morning (April 3rd)... then Opening Day the following Monday (April 9th!!!).

[lcstate collector]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

It was great to meet you Smitty. Hope to see you in Arizona.

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

It was great to meet you Smitty. Hope to see you in Arizona.

Drew -

Sounds good. I leave Denver sometime on the 27th of March (I have to work that morning) and should arrive in Phoenix sometime LATE on the 27th or EARLY on the 28th.

- Smitty

[xpress34]

Re: Spring Training Sabattical 2012

And today (March 27th) it begins in earnest...

The annual journey to the promised land that is known as:

SPRING TRAINING!!!

My trek to the Cactus League Fields of Arizona starts later this morning when I get on 285 South towards Sedalia then head West on 160 to Durango... down through 4 Corners, Tuba City, Flagstaff.... and then - I'm there. The place where dreams are renewed and I recharge for the year ahead...

More posts - and pictures - to come....

- Smitty