Schoolly D's Spring Training 2012
The Ducats
I've only been to this one spring training in 2012, back in the salad days of the Texas Rangers. We were fresh off consecutive American League Pennants and the crushing letdown of the 2011 World Series loss to the hated Cardinals.
It was my first visit to the Phoenix area. The Rangers complex is in Surprise, northwest of downtown. The hotels know it's money-making season, and offer no deals. I stayed in Surprise at a sketchy Motel 6 that had the night clerk behind bulletproof glass. If I ever do Spring Training again, I'll shell out a little more for a nicer place with a fridge and kitchen.
Rangers manager Ron Washington pitches batting practice at Scottsdale Stadium
I tried to get more bang for the buck by seeing two games a day (midday and night) and as many different ballparks as possible, in my two-and-a-half day window.
Surprise (Rangers, Royals) is OK. Maryvale (Brewers) is interesting in that it's hard up against a Phoenix residential neighborhood. Goodyear (Indians, Reds) has great beer and food. And Scottsdale (Giants) is in an amenities-rich nice neighborhood, reminiscent of downtown Evanston.
I don't recall many highlights from the ballgames themselves. I saw Mike Trout do his stuff. Giants have some real jerk fans.
Ruth Ryan, wife of then Rangers co-owner Nolan Ryan, at Surprise Stadium
I regret not getting out to Camelback or Salt River. I would say "next time," but at my level of fandom I think Spring Training is something you should definitely do once, but maybe don't need to do more than once.
Tip: build in time for traffic jams. Yes, while many of these ballparks are in wide-open spaces out in the sprawl, the roads and turn lanes are built for the other 11 months of the year. It will also take you a long time to exit the public parking garage adjacent to Scottsdale Stadium.
I do have restaurant recommendations! Amuse Bouche, a great casual bistro, is in a nondescript strip mall near Surprise Stadium. Culinary Dropout in downtown Scottsdale is convenient to the ballpark. Incidentally I was steered to the latter by Keith Law's blog, he updates his ST restaurant picks annually.
In 2013 I trekked to Hickory NC to check out the Rangers stacked Low-A squad, but that's another story. (Something you should also do once.) I saw them play the Kannapolis Intimidators, and whoever the White Sox had there.
Chicago Cubs (W 11-4) @ Texas Rangers
Surprise Stadium
Thursday March 22, afternoon
Texas Rangers @ Cincinnati Reds (W 6-2)
Goodyear Ballpark
Thursday March 22, night
Los Angeles Angels (W 6-3) @ Milwaukee Brewers
Maryvale Park, Phoenix
Friday March 23, afternoon
Texas Rangers (W 4-1) @ San Francisco Giants
Scottsdale Stadium
Friday March 23, night
Los Angeles Angels (W 3-2) @ Texas Rangers
Surprise Stadium
Saturday March 24, afternoon