Spring Training Roll Call

Too late for the game on the 16th. I will spend much time vegging out at the pool at the Motel6 in Scottsdale. FYI if anyone else is staying in Scottsdale I would love to be able to hitch a ride to some of the games that week.

Though money is tight… play it by ear, I suppose.

for me. Staying in Mesa on Country Club, close to 60. I would rather go a week or so later but this is my spring break. Will go to every Cubs game, but not planning on on the long road trip south. Might catch the Iowa Cubs and Sandberg one afternoon. Baseball is all I do while the family suns. Been most places for dinner as this is year 14 for spring training. I want to check out the new mall in North Mesa and might find a place to eat there and then check out Julio César Chávez Campeones, a new place that opened last November that sounds interesting.

Anyone that is in the area or in the grass make sure to stop by and say hi. Al knows who I am, if you can find him you can find me!

Me and my wife and our good friend are staying in Tempe at the Red Roof, we hit up Diamonds (Formally Sluggos) pretty much every evening after whatever games we watch. Usually end up there even if watching Cubs on the road. Be cool to meet up with some BCBers for an after game drink (or more).

Mrs. Beercub and I will be going to all Cub home games as well as seeing the Angels at Tempe Diablo, including Cubs at the Angels. Mrs. Beercub is born and bred in Southern California. We’ll be staying within stumbling distance of Diamond’s with a detour to Don and Charlie’s one night.

Too much going on at work and we spent our play money at the Cubs Convention back in January.

Already have my tickets. 4 of us are driving from Dallas. Not sure where we’re staying yet. I’m an outgoing guy and would be a hypocrite if I chatted with you fine folks on here but didn’t want to meet in real life so if anyone will be there during those dates let me know and I’ll buy the first beer. Can’t wait to meet ya Mr. Al!

Driving over from So Cal with a fellow Libertyville HS alumnus that I became friends with many years ago through business in So Cal. Small world! Staying at LaQuinta Inn Mesa West. Diamonds is always a great place though it’s never been quite the same to me since Harry & Steve left. Possibly check out Don & Charlies. Perhaps an early morning hike up Piestewa Peak before heading to Peoria. Patio bleacher seats Saturday and lawn tickets for Sunday. I’ll by wearing my BCB shirt Saturday when I meet you Al. Looking forward to it.

… in my heart.

Calendar section has a “Guide To Spring Training Ballparks” that I wish I could post here. It’s not on their website as far as I can tell. Maybe later I’ll see if I can scan and post as a .pdf.

It is interesting and useful inasmuch as it has “need to know” info like the fact that you can’t use plastic to buy food/drinks at Surprise (use the Stadium ATM), some useful parking tips (there is free parking all over downtown Scottsdale and you can take Molly the Trolley free to the Stadium), where are the best locations to get autographs (the new stadiums have specific areas for this purpose) and food/drink tidbits (Maryvale flies in Klement’s bratwurst, including the pork bratwurst and Goodyear this year has the Cincinnati Skyline Chili Dog with Skyline’s family chili recipe.)

Anyway, for those of you coming to AZ…enjoy!

Usually, when I go to spring training, I stay at the Dobson Ranch Inn in Mesa. Prices are good, they get great tickets if you book early and just seem to be well run, but not a destination type place. I like to stay on the west side of Mesa, to be closer to the more interesting night life in Tempe and Scottsdale. Mesa is a pretty sleepy town – it would be great if they built up a Wrigleyville-like area around a new training complex. I would sure spend time there.

I like to go to spring training earlier in March, if possible. That is when all of the promising prospects are still there, and there is activity all around the HoHoKam complex. If you come way early, you can catch some fun scenes, like the pitchers taking batting practice (and shagging fly balls, but mostly lazing) on one of the fields in back. Later in the month, it seems like there is less to see. Some of the prospects are gone, and some of the veterans are already taking time off. For some reason, everyone is more excited about those first hacks of the season – at least it seems that way to me.