Eleven MLB Teams!

Saw 11 teams play in 7 different games.

Ten Days in Arizona!

Can’t say the weather was great. So spoiled with the typically sunny and warm Spring Training weather in Phoenix but this year it was very chilly the first week (low 40s for morning practices and 60 at game time) and rainy the second week (including a top-of-the 4th rainout). Nevertheless, it was still baseball!

Nine Innings of Baseball!

Honestly – was having trouble coming up with a “9” and this was suggested. It is appropriate since Spring Training games don’t go into extra innings. Overall, I truly saw 75 innings, if you include the World Baseball Classic.

Eight Nights in Hotels!

I’m never sure why people find this great … I would rather be home, in my own bed. But I have no complaints. My longest stay was 5 nights at the Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham in Mesa, AZ … it is very close to the AZ101 and to the ballparks on the East side. On our return trip, we stopped in Yuma, AZ and stayed at our usual Oak Tree Inn. Once we arrived in Peoria, AZ, it was back to the Ramada Inn in Peoria … our 3rd stay there. None of these hotels are five star but they are family-friendly, reasonably priced, clean, and conveniently located.

Seven Spring Training Games!

2/25 – White Sox at Giants
2/26 – Diamondbacks at Angels
2/27 – Giants at Angels
2/28 – Athletics at Cubs
3/01 – Brewers at Rockies
3/08 – Athletics at Mariners
3/09 – Rangers at Padres

Six New Baseballs!

Five Spring Training Ballparks!

Be sure to read the blogs on each of these ballparks.

Scottsdale Stadium, Tempe Diablo Stadium, Hohokam Park, Salt River Fields, and Peoria Sports Complex

4 Media Credentials!

A huge thank you to the following teams for your hospitality:

Giants – provided Pressbox, Field, and Clubhouse access
Rockies – provided Pressbox, Field, and Clubhouse access
Angels – provided Pressbox, Field, and Clubhouse access … was able to interview Manager, Mike Scioscia
Padres – was able to interview, Manager, Bud Black

Thank you to the Giants, Angels, Rockies, and Padres!

3 Great Travel Companions!

This was our sixth consecutive year to make the trek to Arizona for Spring Training … it is amazing how much the boys have grown in that time.

With Trevor Herman, Wayne McBrayer, and Alex McBrayer

2 World Baseball Classic Games!

We loved the WBC when it was in San Diego in 2009 and were happy to have the opportunity to catch some games in conjunction with Spring Training. We saw USA play Italy on 3/08 and then USA play Canada on 3/10. TheBaseballPHD even got a few tweets on the jumbotron :-)