A quick question on HoHoKam Park

... at Ho Ho Kam is on the 1st base side.

If you'd like more info, email me privately, or if others would like me to post some info, I will. You can also search the site, as I know I've posted some spring training info here before.

walk around, take in the sights. The players walk from the hitting cages down the right field line and will often stop and sign autographs. Non game day pitchers usually spend more time doing this and it's pretty easy, just stand along the fence. Hang around the players entrance after the game too. I'll be at the game, you're welcome to join us in the left field grass.

...is always very popular. Online tickets indicate it's a sellout, but there are scalpers along the way to the park.

I got fried at a Cubs-Giants game three years ago.  A hike up Camelback mountain in the morning and then sitting in the bleachers was not what my midwestern winter skin had in mind.  They didn't have sunscreen for sale at the Giants' stadium, so I went for a hat.  No visiting team gear, so I am now the proud owner of two items: a $26 unfitted, crappy Giants hat, and a tube of SPF 85 sunscreen bought the next day so I wouldn't burn anymore.  I didn't even know they made it that high, and it went on like Elmer's glue.

OK, I post this and I know its going to invite the stalkers. As I post this, I will also note that people need to understand that they are often at HoHoKam for a day or two, so it can seem like Player A is a total jackass for not stopping to sign autographs, even though he did four out of the previous five days... Some players do everything they can to avoid signing autographs (Jose Hernandez, Benito Santiago), others will sign for as long as they can as often as they can (Kevin Tapani, Terry Mulholland). Most players are somewhere in between. The Cubs, as far as I've seen, are very fan friendly when it comes to autographs and pictures.

Fitch Park
One would think that this is a great place to land autographs. Not necessarily. The Cubs are a huge attraction and it is not uncommon to go to Fitch Park, before the Cubs move down to HoHoKam for the games, and find several hundred Cub fans watching BP and other drills. Players rotate between the four fields, but usually do so without coming into contact with the fans. Fans tend to line the fences, which seperate the fans from the players, and at times you can toss a ball over the fence to a player if they're willing to sign. During practices, which are in the morning (usually end around noon), players practice and don't interact with fans much.

Your main opportunityto get autographs at Fitch Park is as practices are ending. You can remain inside the complex, work the fences and hope that players stop and sign. The other option is to head out to the parking lot and stand by the exit, where the players drive from. This is likely the best bet as there really is only one way out of the lot for players. Some will stop and sign, some won't. There are often dozens of people waiting for autographs, many of whom are the dregs who then go and sell everything on Ebay.

HoHoKam Park
My main tip? Get to the park early. Gates open two hours before the game and at that time, the crowd is pretty thin, however wait another hour and there are tons of fans. If you pull up to HoHoKam an hour before the game starts, it will take you 15-20 minutes to park and get into the stadium. Two hours before gametime, players are taking BP on the main field, doing stuff in the cage and on the back field. Visiting teams often take BP at their home stadium before coming over to HoHoKam. Before the game, the best spot to be is down the 1B line. Beyond the fence, just down the line is how players get between the main field and the back field/batting cages. The walkway that they use is shared with fans who are going out to the outfield berm. Security closes this off for fan access when they see players coming, however you can line the fence here and players often stop and sign. It depends on what they have to do. Before the game, players also usually work the 1B line stands and sign, or will sign near the Cubs dugout, but it really becomes a cluster f#@k down there with hordes of people.

Now especially during the early spring games, if you want autographs, you have to prioritize the game or signatures, because with starters out by the 4th or 5th inning, rarely is a starter still in the HoHoKam facility when the game ends. I'd prefer to see the youngsters get a few innings in, but if you'd rather get DLee or Aramis' autograph, you'll have to vacate your seat and head down near the Cubs clubhouse exit. One problem, however, there are about five ways for the Cub players to get to their cars.

• The main exit is on the east side of the Cubs clubhouse and exits into one of the concession areas, right next to the RF grandstand bleacher seats. This area is free flowing for fans during the game, however after the game ends, a temporary fence is erected, but you can line this fence to try to get autographs...with a few hundred other folks.
  
• A secondary exit is via the field. Players exit the dugout and walk out towards the back field. You cna try to catch players along the 1B line or down near the walkway to the berm (the area I described during BP.
  
• Another exit is straight into the main parking lot. There is a clubhouse exit along the south side of the stadium, right near where the main stadium enterances are. This area is totally unincumbered by security but players don't tend to exit here that much.
  
• There is also a clubhouse exit into the concourse.

Of course, you can also stand near the player parking lot exit, though I'm not sure how often players sign here. I reiterate, though, that there are lots of fans waiting after the game and the likelyhood of getting autographs is not that great.

DmL

Although I have only been to one game at HoHoKam it really is a great experience.

A friend and I happened to be passing through Mesa on a long bicycling trip. We were rolling through just before game time and the Cubs were at home so we decided to swing up for the game.

We were planning on locking our bikes and gear up to the fence at the park and asked the security guard if it would be ok. Instead he told us to bring them inside and put them next to his station and he would watch them for us. Everyone else we encounted was just as nice.

The outfield berm, in my opinion may be the single best place on the planet to watch baseball. It wasnt too crowded the day we were there so we were able to stretch out and enjoy the game and the sunshine. Not to mention the fact that they import Old Style to help us feel right at home.

One small tip, having a couple of Old Style's and sitting in the sun is probably not the best idea when you still have 20 miles to ride once the game is done.

Al, perhaps you can post on what HoHoKam's policy is on bringing in drinks, but make sure you get a lot of liquid during games. While it may not seem quite as hot due to the lack of humidity, its plenty hot in the valley and if you don't have enough to drink during the game, you'll be totally wiped out by the end of the game. Add to this the fact that most drinks at HoHoKam are as much, if not more than at major league stadiums, so by the end of a game, its easy to spend $15-$20 on non-alcoholic beverages. If HoHoKam allows you to bring in drinks, I'd recommend stopping at one of the local 7Elevens or AM PM and grab two gatorades.

Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids and make sure you sunscreen, otherwise you'll find that the back of your neck is nice and burnt an hour after gametime.

DmL

Take your time leaving the game. If you drive, you will not be leaving the parking lot anytime soon. That is my only complaint. I used to go every year. I haven't gone in a couple of years now. Have fun!

I also reccomend climbing Squaw Peak. Good excersize and a great view.

If you are into architectural tours make sure you go and see Taliesin West. It is an actual architecture school, it was designed and ran by Frank Lloyd Wright.  

it's a mock western town on the southside of phoenix, great entertainment for the whole family. no admission charge.

Hi Everyone, be sure to stop in at Vito & Nick's II Pizza that just opened in December '07. They are located at 3321 E. Queen Creek Road, Gilbert AZ. That puts them on the SE corner of Higley and Queen Creek. For any of you South-Siders, You may have enjoyed their pizza at the main location at 84th and Pulaski.

My wife and I have eaten at the new location MANY times and it's one of the best IMHO. The head chef is from Roseland and all meats, cheeses, and other ingredients are from Chicago. They also have a bar.

They are supposed to be doing some promotions at HoHoKam this year, please consider them for some real Chicago Pizza!