Spring training tickets question

by ChangeupD on Feb 9, 2010 11:32 PM CST

Hello everyone — My friend and I are road-tripping down to Phoenix this spring (March 15-19) for our first-ever Spring Training, and I had a potentially important question about advance ticket purchases.

We're hoping to see four Cubs games that week and a few night games by other teams, as well. But our plans aren't entirely solid yet and my friend in particular is really leery of committing to advance ticket purchases this far out.

I've read elsewhere that Cubs games sell out relatively frequently, especially on weekends. The days we'll be there include a Monday game at Colorado, a Tuesday game at HoHoKam, a Thursday game at LAD and a Friday game at the White Sox, all in the day. How important can I tell my friend that it is to pre-buy?

For non-Cubs night games, is there any need to pre-buy? I've read that the Dodgers and Diamondbacks are the only other teams that regularly sell out, but I'm not sure how true that is — or if night games are a different animal because there's usually only a couple going on?

Finally, we've been debating the virtues of sitting in the seats, the bleachers or on the grass. Any suggestions? (And pursuant to the first question, do some of those areas sell out sooner than others?)

Thanks a lot in advance for everyone's help. Hopefully we'll run into some BCBers down there.

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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I would probably buy tickets for a few games

I will be there at about the same time. I got tickets for Thursday, Friday & Sat. I mostly get cheap lawn seats which are easier to get. I did snag good if pricey Cubs/Sox tickets two days ago but I think it will be a sell out. Like Wrigley there
are scalpers for big games but it is often possible to get extras from non scalpers at the parks.

Maybe I will see you there.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Feb 10, 2010 7:37 AM CST reply actions

Lawn tickets.

It’s fun out there and you cannot beat the price. Find me on the LF lawn at Mesa, right under the clock on the scoreboard.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2010 8:01 AM CST reply actions

Lawn and night

I would sit on the lawn too. I have my tickets for those dates also. You can probably get some day of game, there are scalpers around or people with extras. Get there 2 hours before the game to get a good seat on the lawn.

You’ll have problems getting to night games, it is rare if there is any. Almost every game is a day game. Hope to see you there.

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 Feb 10, 2010 8:23 AM CST reply actions

The Cubs play no spring night games this year...

… except for Friday, April 2 at Chase Field.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2010 8:52 AM CST up reply actions

Right...

As I said, all the Cubs games when I’ll be there are in the day. What we’re thinking about is seeing two games some days — the Cubs in the afternoon and then going to another park for a night game. Like on March 15, the Cubs play at Colorado at 3:10 CT. Later that night, the Royals visit the White Sox at 9:05, while the Giants play split-squad games against the Rangers at 8 and Padres at 9. Do non-Cubs night games sell out?

by ChangeupD on Feb 10, 2010 9:13 AM CST up reply actions

Generally, no.

I don’t think you’d have any problems getting into a night game anywhere in the Valley.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2010 10:03 AM CST up reply actions

That's cool.

With the time difference, I’ll be able to watch almost all, if streamed by MLB.TV, ST games live during the evening (CET).

"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze

by eths on Feb 10, 2010 10:07 AM CST up reply actions

Kind of late, though.

They start at 2:05 Chicago time through March 13, then 3:05 Chicago time after that.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2010 10:28 AM CST up reply actions

But not too late.

The games shouldn’t go later than 1 AM local time (CET), which is more often than not my bedtime.

"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze

by eths on Feb 10, 2010 10:49 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

I'll throw this out there

but not necessarily in response to the poster’s original question.

Those of you in the Phoenix area for Spring Training who can’t/don’t get enough baseball from the ST games should do yourself a favor and check out the Arizona State baseball team. They play mostly at night (6:30PM mostly), except on Sundays (1:00PM) in a nice cozy ballpark at Rural Rd. (Scottsdale Rd.) and Rio Salado in Tempe and you will have a blast, I assure you.

This is college baseball at the highest level. ASU is 3 time defending Pac-10 champions and a fixture at the college world series in Omaha. You are almost guaranteed to see some future MLB stars…and when I say future, I mean the NEAR future, not 5-6 years from now. Some names that you may recognize that played at ASU in the past several years include Dustin Pedroia, Andre Ethier, Ian Kinsler, Travis Buck, etc.

And I will probably get laughed at for this, but there is also the nationally ranked ASU softball team. Those of you, if any, who think baseball is a little slow should check out women’s softball. It is a fast paced, skills oriented game, and the pitching, hitting, fielding and base running skills of college softball players will absolutely blow your socks off.

by azjazzman on Feb 10, 2010 12:57 PM CST reply actions

Oh, BTW

tickets for ASU baseball/softball are $5-$10, with $10 being field level/behind the dugout type seats, so it is a real bargain, too.

by azjazzman on Feb 10, 2010 1:04 PM CST up reply actions

I might take in an ASU game this spring.

Have meant to for many years, never got around to it. Thanks for the reminder.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2010 1:47 PM CST up reply actions

You keep trying to get me to go

I am sure it would be fun but no thanks.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Feb 10, 2010 7:48 PM CST up reply actions

It's your loss!

I hope Al goes to an ASU game and posts something about what he thought of it. In fact, if you need someone to go with you, Al…

by azjazzman on Feb 11, 2010 2:11 PM CST up reply actions

Let's talk about this before I come out there.

I very well might want to go to one. Maybe we can drag Jessica along.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Feb 11, 2010 3:11 PM CST up reply actions

I am afraid fans take those games SERIOUSLY.

How am I going to get my nap in the sun if I go?

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Feb 11, 2010 8:39 PM CST up reply actions

That'd be hard to do at a night game.

You could nap in the sun during the day, then see a serious game at night.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Feb 12, 2010 8:45 AM CST up reply actions

THEY ARE RIGHT....

Once you get there you will wonder about the fans seated . The lawn offers a group of fans the chance to visit, tan, and enjoy a cold beverage . Remember your coppertone !! You can fry to a crisp real quick…..

by cubs north on Feb 11, 2010 11:21 PM CST reply actions