Need some Mesa advice

by jonpyardi on Feb 22, 2007 11:45 AM CST

So, I have a layover in Phoenix on Friday next week, and I'm pretty sure the Spring Training facilities are pretty close to the Phoenix airport.

Anyone know how the public transport is? Should I opt for a cab? I'll be getting in around 9 AM local time and should be in the area for 3 or 4 hours, will there be much to see then? Should I go to Fitch park? or somewhere else?

Any info you might have would be extremely helpful!

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Nope

Games start next Thursday, so the team likely will depart from Fitch Park on Tuesday or Wednesday. The schedule of morning routines will end then and once the games begin, the action really is two to three hours before game time. You cannot get into HoHoKam Park more than two hours before the game and you'd need a ticket to get in.

There may be minor league action at Fitch Park, however.

DmL

by dmlichte on Feb 22, 2007 11:53 AM CST reply actions

Thanks

That's good to know, I'd certainly settle for seeing some of the minor leaguers too, although according to this, minor league pitchers and catchers don't report till March 3rd. Bummer!

I don't think I could've picked a worse time to go during March!

Check out my Cubs Minor League System website: Top Cubs Prospects

by jonpyardi on Feb 22, 2007 12:03 PM CST up reply actions

Phoenix Muni...

....if you just want to see some baseball, the Brewers will be at Phoenix Municipal Stadium to play the A's on March 2. It's the closest park to Sky Harbor and a cab ride of 5-6 miles away. Given your time constraints, you could at least see the A's practice.

Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Feb 22, 2007 2:19 PM CST reply actions

Forgot......

....Fitch park in Mesa is about 15 miles away, but via cab, figure 30 minutes each way.

Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Feb 22, 2007 2:20 PM CST up reply actions

Note that...

... the A's practice fields are a bit north of Phoenix Muni, in Papago Park.

I think Tempe Diablo Stadium, where the Angels train, is actually closer to the airport than Phoenix Muni. The Angels are playing the Cubs in Mesa that day; their practice fields are right at Tempe Diablo, so their minor leaguers might be around.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Feb 22, 2007 2:21 PM CST up reply actions

flight options

Unfortunately, my flight options are tough because I only have 2 and I'm flying east which means I'm losing 3 hours, making it impossible to catch the game.

Check out my Cubs Minor League System website: Top Cubs Prospects

by jonpyardi on Feb 23, 2007 8:18 AM CST up reply actions

Thanks for the info

Since I won't be able to catch the Cubs I likely won't change my flight (which I was going to do to give me some time).

Oh well, it was a thought, but it won't happen this year.

Check out my Cubs Minor League System website: Top Cubs Prospects

by jonpyardi on Feb 22, 2007 5:01 PM CST reply actions

Well....

... you COULD catch the Cubs if you wanted to postpone your flight till late afternoon -- then you could go to Mesa and see the 1:05 game. Up to you, of course. You can get to the airport from Mesa in about 20 minutes.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Feb 22, 2007 5:17 PM CST up reply actions

As long as it isn't rush hour!!!

by Smooth Jazz Man San Diego on Feb 22, 2007 6:21 PM CST reply actions

I was in Mesa on Tuesday...

Actually drove there from Sky Harbor. It took about 15 minutes or so to get there. This was about 10 am, so there was no traffic.

Unfortunetly, not a single Cub signed autographs. I talked with a few people there and they said that the Cubs is one of the worst practices to go to because they don't acknowledge the fans much. They have fences up between fields to seperate the players and fans. Its somewhat frustrating because Lou and others say how great the fans are in Chicago, yet the players, at least when I'm there, hardly notice them. I understand that they are focused and what not, but what are they doing after a spring training practice? Its put a little bit of a sour taste in my mouth...

At any rate, it was good to see some baseball action, most of the position players were there. Soriano was hitting bombs during BP. D. Lee had a hoard of media cameras following him around during BP.

by bleedhawkeyegold on Feb 22, 2007 8:32 PM CST reply actions