Are You Going to Spring Training?

by LeoBloom on Feb 9, 2009 1:38 PM EST Comment 32 comments

Is anyone here planning on making a trip down to Surprise to see the Royals this spring? I've never gone, and probably won't anytime soon, but I was nevertheless curious about it.

Also, if anyone has done both, is there a consensus as to which is a better trip: Arizona or Florida? Don't make me go to the Hooters webpage myself to answer this question.

Overall, regarding Spring Training, I can't decide if it's a really overrated experience, or an underrated one. Like most things, it was probably much cooler 10-15 years ago, when the barriers to access and prices were both much lower.

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Yes, I plan on going, but probably not to Surprise

I will catch the two games here in Tucson (I live 1/2 mile from the Rockies stadium – crawling distance) when the Royals come down. I might make a trip up Phoenix, but prefer to goto the closer stadiums on the South side of town, instead of going to Surprise (south Vegas).

ST is what you make of it. I love and hate it for these reasons:

Pros –
Get to see all the players player, even if it is for a short time each game.
Practice is easy to watch (and easier if some of the player’s wives/GFs are there).
Players and coaches are easy to talk to. Autographs are easy to get and I haven’t bought a ball in years to get signed because of ones given to me or caught.

Cons –
The games are non-competitive POS.

Also, It all depends on the park for the closeness to the game, some stadiums are good and others not so good.

by Jeff Zimmerman (TucsonRoyal) on Feb 9, 2009 2:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i was just in tuscon over the weekend

and might be again this weekend.

by wildthang on Feb 9, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You looking for rocks?

by Jeff Zimmerman (TucsonRoyal) on Feb 11, 2009 1:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd love to rent out your garage or spare bedroom sometime.

Unfortunately, as a baseball coach, I never have a spring break. I never had one in college or HS because I played baseball as well…. I’m disappointed. One day I’ll be there!

That's why we play the season on paper.

by 306008 on Feb 11, 2009 12:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No.

That’s my answer. – TL

by timlacy on Feb 9, 2009 2:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i believe everything in arizona is closer together

but i could be wrong

by royalsreview on Feb 9, 2009 2:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Than Florida -- yes.

Longest distance between any two stadiums is 2-3 hours (depending on traffic).

by Jeff Zimmerman (TucsonRoyal) on Feb 9, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

True

and no trips through Alligator Alley

Jayhawk baseball - a tradition since Steve Jeltz

by JayhawkTom on Feb 9, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Would really like to someday

Maybe when my son is older.

I am also determined to go to Fantasy camp someday.

I’ve heard Arizona ST is 1000x better than Florida ST. Better weather, everything is closer, and the towns aren’t as dumpy.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Feb 9, 2009 3:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

which location has better skanks?

Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.

by devil_fingers on Feb 9, 2009 6:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

might be a good question for The Hos

Founder of the Johnny Giavotella fan club.

by doublestix on Feb 9, 2009 6:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

went to high school in Florida, now has spring training in Arizona

+ now has a lot of money.

Founder of the Johnny Giavotella fan club.

by doublestix on Feb 9, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I bet Hos rolls in the Scottsdale area

by Jeff Zimmerman (TucsonRoyal) on Feb 9, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What age do you like your skanks - they are every where.

Suprise, Peoria, Glendale — 70 to 80 year old skanks

Tempe area – college skanks

Scottsdale – Rich MF skanks (cougars)

Mesa – Mormon chicks

Phoenix proper – Hispanic skanks

by Jeff Zimmerman (TucsonRoyal) on Feb 9, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

the mesa entry sounds like an oxymoron to me

by royalsreview on Feb 9, 2009 8:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

welcome to the wild wild west

by wildthang on Feb 10, 2009 4:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hey now...

I represent that comment :\

Wait…

Listen to the MUSTN'Ts, child Listen to the DON'Ts Listen to the SHOULDN'Ts, The IMPOSSIBLEs, the WON'Ts Listen to the NEVER HAVEs Then listen close to me-- Anything can happen, child, ANYTHING can be --Shel Silverstein

by loyal2theroyals on Feb 13, 2009 12:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Had oppurtunity to go this year

My father offered me a free plane ticket to the Twins camp (he is a twins fan) this year, but the Bar exam is forcing me to delay Valentines day and my girls birthday until the week we were going to go down. It kind of sucks, I would really love to go to training someday to get away from the “show.” I love watching minor league ball with all the hustle and desire . . . I can imagine ST might be the same way

Mr. Weatherstone

by Mr. Weatherstone on Feb 9, 2009 4:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

can I get a claim on that ticket. : )

That's why we play the season on paper.

by 306008 on Feb 11, 2009 12:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep - I live in Phoenix

Will make at least one trip to Surprise and maybe visit some of the stadiums closer to my house when the Royals play. Surprise is surprisingly very far away from me considering I technically live in the same metro area

by jsolo on Feb 9, 2009 5:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What the Chandler/Gilbert area.?

by Jeff Zimmerman (TucsonRoyal) on Feb 9, 2009 5:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Gilbert

Famous for being the fastest growing city in the country last year, which is amazing since it isn’t close to a damn thing.

by jsolo on Feb 10, 2009 1:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

definitely!!

I went to my first spring training last year in Surprise. Took my parents as a Xmas gift and we had a wonderful time. So, this year a friend of mine who is a big Dodger fan is going with me from Orange County, CA to see the Royals vs. Dodgers on March 20 and then catch a couple more weekend games.

My mom got a big kick out of seeing George Brett closeup last year talking with Alex Gordon. I’ve been rooting for the Kansas City teams since the early 60s and saw my first game, Athletics vs. the Minnesota Twins, in 1964.

My mom’s cousin volunteers at the Surprise Stadium duriing Royals games. She says there are about 600 volunteers working the stadium throughout spring training. In exchange, the Royals donate millions to the community for youth sports, etc.
Ken

by kzeh62155 on Feb 9, 2009 7:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

No

I wish. Two things I want to do and havne’t done.
Go to Spring Training and go to Opening Day… hopefully I’ll get lucky one of these days and find time.

by Royal from Queens on Feb 9, 2009 7:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Spring Training is fun

It is nice to just be in a small stadium in nice weather. It is a fun and relaxed atmosphere. I’ve been to both FL and AZ. I lived in Florida while Royals were still in Baseball City. Went to see them there and also down to Winter Haven (I think) to see Cinncinnati with a friend who’s a fan of them.

AZ is better because of the relative closeness compared to FL. However, I concur with others here that it is surprising how far away some of them are from each other. Did the AZ trip about 4(?) years ago. That is when Appier was trying to come back on the Royals and resulted in the picture of him currently on my profile. Anyway, I live in Seattle so we stayed in Scottsdale for some reason. My buddy booked the place. But, went to see games at Peoria (Royals v Ms), at Surprise (Royals v Ms) and Scottsdale (SFG v Cubs?). Also took a day off of baseball and went to see horse racing. But, lots of fun. It was easy to get into the Royals games and get decent seats – probably still true. The SF Giants game was totally packed. But, lots (LOTS) of scenery!

Feb 13!!

by kabrink on Feb 9, 2009 8:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Never been before but am going down the week of the 15th.

Already booked tickets for three games. I’m stoked. It was my wife’s idea. Damn was I smart (read: lucky) to marry her.

by Steve Hovley on Feb 9, 2009 10:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You have a good wife.

Have fun in Surprise!

WTF, self?

by minda33 on Feb 9, 2009 10:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

holy crap

you sir are a very, very lucky man.

Founder of the Johnny Giavotella fan club.

by doublestix on Feb 9, 2009 11:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, m'am!

by Steve Hovley on Feb 9, 2009 11:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i'll be there...

weekend of march 15th. have a fantasy draft with all my college buddies. will see three games…

The Last Word on EVERYTHING

by Billex Gordler on Feb 10, 2009 12:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

HIghly recommend

ST is great. Close to players. Easy-going. Great weather. Cool ballparks. Surprise (KC/Texas) is nice. Peoria (Seattle) is nice. The Giants stadium in Scottsdale is very cool.

Do it. You’ll be glad you did.

by RaulDuke on Feb 10, 2009 1:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs