A Visit To Camelback Ranch
Al has given you the recap, so I can fill in some the details.... Z's homer was a....bomb. He lined it right over the power alley fence....the wall is marked 380 to left-center, so it was 400' -- easily. Koyie Hill's HR was a towering shot, to the RF power alley....there was no doubt about that blast, right off his bat. 4-4, with a FC...not bad for the young man. I wish he'd back up Soto, but I'd bet that won't be the case.
Z's effort on the mound was good -- it looks better in the box score than in reality, though, as his pitch count was near 60 through his 5 innings of work. (I've left the notebook with my "exact" count at my hotel)
If Jake Fox was trying to earn a roster spot....he didn't help himself in the 4-hole, as he looked tight at the plate -- only really coming through with a single in the 8th, when the outcome was not in doubt.
Randy Wolf's line of 10 hits in 4 innings, with 7 earned runs...a tad inflated. The 4-run second inning got away from him on Hill's first hit, an infield "single." Casey Blake got his glove on this soft roller right at him...but kicked it. This play should have been made, for the second out of the inning. IMHO, it was an error, not a hit. This put Hill on first. Corey Koskie, who doubled prior to Hill's at bat, took third. (Sure would be nice to see him make the squad....more on him, later)
Andres Blanco then singled in Koskie, setting the stage for Zambrano's dinger. So, Wolf could have been tagged with unearned runs, or who knows -- the inning goes another way. In any event, Wolf wasn't sharp. The bottom of the order knocked him around, as you know -- in the 4th.
The Cubs pen looked good against the "A" and "AA" Dodgers. Sean Marshall dispatched the Dodgers in the 6th on 9 pitches.
Now...the "Ranch." It's quite a facility, and when it's completely finished, it will be quite the showplace of the Cactus League. ("Bandstand" and all. I couldn't find that on the map. Yes, you get a map of the grounds.)
This now becomes my favorite park. It serves Vienna Hot Dogs/Italian Beef. The Dodger fans will forsake Farmer John's "Dodger Dogs" when they get a load of these. You can get the entire dressed dog for 5.25, at specific stands. There are Vienna carts -- just the dog, relish, and mustard. (Love that snap! of the casing.)
If you like Connie's pizza -- it's also available. The food seems to be skewed toward Chicago visitors, which is good -- "Arnie" from the Back O' The Yards will love it, as will "Heather" from Santa Monica, who will swear off her vegan lifestyle after an Italian Beef from the Nort' side.
Today's crowd (sorry Al, I don't remember if you stated this in the recap) was a Cactus League record -- 13,046. At least, that's what they announced. I saw plenty of empty seats, though. (The 100-dollar section, right behind the plate, and just to the left and right looked filled.)
Access.....oooh, this makes Ho Ho Kam look _easy_ to get in and out of. It's grid-lock, folks. An hour after the game, Camelback Rd was still bumper-to-bumper. Thankfully, it's a short jaunt to the Loop 101. Tip -- don't take the first parking entrance, just past 107th street. You'll park in the dirt. (Unless, you want to park in dirt. if so, go for it.)
Go to "Ballpark Boulevard," west of the complex. You'll be directed into a paved lot. It's 5-bucks.
The complex features a "replica" US Cellular Field and Dodger Stadium. Don't look for the 35th Street Train viaduct. Thankfully, Glendale/Phoenix had the good sense not to get THAT realistic.
Rather, these two diamonds replicate the dimensions of both ballparks. They are marked poorly, though. Just look for the two diamonds with some cement seating and a small scoreboard. (At least, I think these are the fields in question. The dimensions were not marked on the fences.)
And, by the way, just WHERE is this place? Phoenix? Glendale? Phoenix police patrol the area. Camelback Rd is marked with the Phoenix City Logo. Where's Glendale? Can somebody clue me in on this strange Arizona-zoning? (No pun intended.) I can see University Of Phoenix Stadium in the distance from the parking lot. That, I know...iS Glendale.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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16 comments
Comments
Sorry I won't see you this year
I will think of you at the Cubs/Sox game on the 27th. Also I know you will think this is treason but I might skip a Cubs game to catch a Padres game because I think Maddux is coming back for the last week. It is not like I will root for the Padres though.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 17, 2009 11:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sorry to miss you, DS.....
…but the ol’ professor is done, finished, and gone. However, after his 3-week stint as a Padres ‘coach’ Greg said he liked it, and wouldn’t rule it out as a full-time gig in the future. But, he’s back on the links in Las Vegas…..
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 18, 2009 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh he is
but he kind of indicated he would come back towards the end so you never know.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 19, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
On wikipedia
the location is given as Phoenix, bit the text says Glendale. That makes NO sense!
Here’s an article that taks about it. I guess the complex is on both Phoenix and Glendale property.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
by BigJohnAZ on Mar 18, 2009 3:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I was at game
Z’s shot landed behind me about 10 feet. All the people were standing trying to catch it and a guy with a broken finger, sitting, caught the ball. It was a good 30 feet over the fence.
The stadium is unbelievable for spring training. 10,000 seats. Take San Diego’s advice, we parked in the first lot we came to and walked a mile into the complex on a rock path. We did get back to Mesa in 30 minutes by going west and back south to the 101. Great experience and the cubs fans were out in force with green. Dodgers just don’t look right with green hats! Great food choices if you can walk to see them all.
My last game today then back home. It’s been 15 degrees above normal which is great!
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
by mrcubsfan on Mar 18, 2009 10:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm sure the facility is great....
but what a strange name. Camelback Ranch. Sounds like something out of a documentary of the Manson family or something.
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004
by ctcoff99 on Mar 18, 2009 12:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, "Camelback" is a pretty common
monicker here in the desert….Camelback Road, by my guestimate is the longest E/W road in Phoenix.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 18, 2009 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's not a guesstimate.
It’s correct.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 19, 2009 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cool summary, thanks.
Hearing about the food makes me hungry. I guess I should probably eat lunch.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 18, 2009 1:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of hot dogs...
At the Vendor meetings,
there will be no more Kosher dogs in Wrigley.
Apparently there is a problem with the Bests and Hebrew National businesses. They will be replaced with “the Ultimate Stadium dog”. No word on whether they are all beef. As for for the Koshers, “it wasn’t really kosher anyway.”
All food and beverages have gone up $0.25.
PBR and Special X are no longer available at Wrigley, though you can now find Bud Light Lime.
I wish I had better news to report.
Come visit me inside Wrigley along the Addison side mezzanine fence straight up from 1st base.
by section229beer on Mar 18, 2009 2:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That's a mistake to raise concession prices.
That’s the first place people will cut back.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 18, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"it wasn't really kosher anyway"?
That’s… a mite unsettling. Although I suppose we shouldn’t really have expected it.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Mar 19, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Something about the Dodgers and TRAFFIC.
Dodger Stadium is an absolute NIGHTMARE driving to, getting in, and getting around. The prices sound pretty outrageous as well — It’s nice to hear the Dodgers are letting their fans feel right at home.
"I never drink water because of the disgusting things fish do in it" -W.C. Fields
by calicubfan on Mar 18, 2009 3:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Camelback Ranch
The ballpark is built on land that is owned by Glendale, but is within the city limits of Phoenix. Glendale bought the land some years ago to provide a sound buffer to Glendale Municipal Airport.
The Bandstand is by the lake that is next to the entrance walkway.
Another way to get to the park is via Indian School Road and down 111th Ave. You can avoid the traffic on Camelback that way.
by azjazzman on Mar 18, 2009 7:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That's a real good idea...
us tourists……we’re lemmings to Mapquest.
Next time.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 18, 2009 8:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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