CHANGE MY LOCATION
Los Angeles Examiners
Los Angeles Sports Examiner
Most Recent Post
UCLA to USC: 'The monopoly in L.A. is over"
Make the most of your journey to the Valley of Fun
SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY
Related Topics: SAN FRANCISCO
)
This fan knows what spring training is all about.
SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Games are just getting under way in the Cactus League this week, and if you had the foresight to plan a trip to Arizona for spring training several weeks — or even months — ago, good for you. You’ve no doubt saved a lot of money on a variety of fronts (hotel rates, air fare, tickets, etc.).
If you’re a procrastinator, however, fret not. You might have to dig deeper into your pockets, but it’ll be worth it if you heed the advice being offered here.
Plenty of hotel rooms remain in the Valley of the Sun, albeit many of the resort variety, and Southwest and America West have hubs in Phoenix, so their rates won’t crush you even if you want to leave tomorrow.
And hey, there’s always driving. From the Bay Area, it’s a full day behind the wheel to the Scotts-dale area, which is truly the heart of spring training in every way, but with the right amount of Red Bull, gummy worms and Metallica, you can leave at about 8 one night, avoid the daytime gridlock and arrive just before the first pitch to see your favorite team in Scottsdale, Peoria, Phoenix, Mesa, Surprise or even Tucson.
As for you Johnny-come-latelys, don’t sweat that you don’t have tickets. Unless you want to see the Chicago Cubs against anyone or the Giants against the A’s, you’ll have no problem finding your way into the yard. Remember: “Sellout” is just a euphemism for “you’ll have to pay some scumbag a little more than face value.” If there’s a will, there’s a way.
The first tip you should heed is to hit as many parks as possible. They’re all either new or recently renovated, so there’s no such bad thing a bad seat.
Tip two: If there’s a grass berm in the outfield, try to get a ticket there. Spring training is when players are at their loosest, and many a player will maintain pleasant, game-long conversations with the fans behind him. That almost never happens in the bigs.
The third tip is to try not to get too tipsy. The hooch at spring training isn’t much cheaper than it is during the regular season, so let the enthusiasm of the youngsters fighting their tails off for roster spots intoxicate you and save your booze allowance for after the game.
That brings us to the final, most important tip: Get out at night. Especially in Old Town Scottsdale, where many of the players hang out to blow off steam. And do yourself a favor and start the night at a sneaky, underrated spot on Scottsdale Road called Frasher’s Steakhouse and Lounge. Great, affordable food, low-key, ’60s-ish jazz-club vibe and a brilliant, beautiful staff.
Now get down there and enjoy baseball at its casual best. You’re welcome.
Mychael Urban writes for MLB.com and hosts the weekend edition of “Sports-phone 680” on KNBR (680 AM).
Comments from Examiner Readers
11:39 AM MST on Fri., Jul. 25, 2008 re: "Empty Diamonds: Baseball loses its mythic grip on area youngsters"
Report as inappropriate
4:09 AM MST on Fri., Jul. 25, 2008
re: "Trying to revive Little League in the District"
Report as inappropriate
5:52 PM MST on Thu., Jul. 24, 2008
re: "Trying to revive Little League in the District"
Report as inappropriate
10:43 AM MST on Thu., Jul. 24, 2008
re: "Empty Diamonds: Baseball loses its mythic grip on area youngsters"
Report as inappropriate
5:11 PM MST on Fri., Jun. 13, 2008
re: "Dickey: Contrasts stark in Bay Bridge Series"
Report as inappropriate
12:31 PM MST on Fri., Jun. 13, 2008
re: "Dickey: Contrasts stark in Bay Bridge Series"
Report as inappropriate
1:50 PM MST on Mon., May. 26, 2008
re: "Liotta: Omar’s impending record a testament to character"
Report as inappropriate
1:27 PM MST on Mon., May. 26, 2008
re: "Liotta: Omar’s impending record a testament to character"
Report as inappropriate
9:23 AM MST on Thu., May. 8, 2008
re: "Walcoff: Here’s the deal: Let me play and I’ll reduce posse to one"
Report as inappropriate
2:44 PM MST on Tue., May. 29, 2007
re: "Without a blemish"
Report as inappropriate
7:36 AM MST on Wed., May. 23, 2007
re: "Arms key Eastern Tech’s playoff run"
Report as inappropriate
6:15 AM MST on Mon., May. 21, 2007
re: "Simons shows the way for St. Albans"
Report as inappropriate
8:43 PM MST on Mon., May. 14, 2007
re: "Jacob’s ladder leads to Georga Tech"
Report as inappropriate
9:12 AM MST on Mon., May. 14, 2007
re: "Simons shows the way for St. Albans"
Report as inappropriate
10:10 AM MST on Fri., May. 11, 2007
re: "Simons shows the way for St. Albans"
Report as inappropriate
5:45 AM MST on Fri., May. 4, 2007
re: "Brady shows QO his best stuff"
Report as inappropriate
8:11 AM MST on Tue., May. 1, 2007
re: "Panthers back on the prowl"
Report as inappropriate
Examiner Reader said:
JJ said: little league in da district, HA! You couldnt aford the security or the bullet proof vest JJ you're an idiot!
1 agree | 0 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Rudy said:
The press can help with this situation by doing a little research and helpiong to get the word out about the oppurtunities that have long existed in the District. There are organizations out side of Little League and Ward 2, 3 and 4. Babe Ruth Baseball League has, in recent memory, been a much more competitive league than Little League. There are 12 or more clubs that play in this league from almost every ward in the city. Some of these teams play in both Little League and Babe Ruth League. There are several clubs that have a very rich tradition in baseball, Such as, The Woodridge Warriors, Takoma Rangers, #10 B&G Club and others. Most of these organizations are comunity based and don't have the budgets that NWLL may have, but still produce a great product and create a positive program for the kids.
2 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
JJ said:
little league in da district, HA! You couldnt aford the security or the bullet proof vest.
1 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Rob said:
It's simply amazing how the local press and the so-called baseball experts in the District continue to ignore and refuse to acknowledge the level and quality of baseball being played by the Woodridge Warriors Youth Organization (NE DC). For over 40 years, the program under the leadership of Mason Clark, has fielded baseball teams for youth between the ages of 5 through 16. While this season may not have been one representative of past baseball seasons with our younger teams, we still have a great deal of pride in the efforts of our kids and coaches. Although it wasn't mentioned in the recent Washington Post article, Manny Burris of the San Francisco Giants played for 3 years with the Woodridge Warriors. There have been many former Warriors that have or are currently playing at the high school and college level. All we read about is the baseball that is played west of the park. These type of articles seem more intent on dismissing or trivializing the baseball efforts outside of upper NW
7 agree | 0 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Ron W. Alameda said:
If you were to listen to the Korach broadcast, and ever hear the name "Oakland", I would be shocked. They refuse to acknowledge the teams home. They dumped Oakland, so Oakland's dumped them.
2 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I had previously written to you about the insufferable A's TV play-by-play guy, Glen Kuiper. He rarely focuses upon the game itself, with his constant emphasis upon trivia ranging from uniforms to fans' signs. I suspect that is because he knows so little about the game. When fans don't attend, they usually watch the A's on TV and because of the television delay, can no longer silence Kuiper by turning to Korach on the radio. Kuiper alienates fans with his yawning trivialities and monumental ineptitude. I believe Kuiper's manifest boredom with broadcasting the A's leads to fan boredom and thus contributes to the scant attendance. Get this amateur off the air!
4 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I didn't see any "carrying" done by Lebron. I saw someone who choked and struggled AGAIN when facing REAL competition (like last year against the Spurs). Lebron played HORRIBLY in the Celtics series. Everyone thinks Lebron has carried the Cavs through the playoffs the last several years, when the fact is that all Lebron did was beat the Wizards 2 years in a row without Gilbert Arenas or Caron Butler playing, and the first year they met he made 2 game winners while traveling. If he plays in the west, he wouldn't even sniff the second round of the playoffs.
6 agree | 5 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
lebron the best player in the game? what a ridiculously inane conclusion. until he masters even 2 fundamentals of the game, let alone most of the aspects of basketball that kobe has mastered, lebron is nothing but hype. no wonder this statement is relegated to "random thoughts", because there is no cogent analysis that even remotely leads to the conclusion that lebron is the best player.
6 agree | 5 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I don't get it. He didn't really write this letter, but did he actually write a letter to all the GM's looking for a job?? Confusing??
8 agree | 6 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
CHC Alum said:
Congratulations to the Cardinals! Now, if only they could transfer some of that talent to the football team and start winning the Turkey Bowl...
309 agree | 281 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Ryan Rivers is by far one of the best pitchers in the county,his mechanics and smoothness, will fool you.
476 agree | 320 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
how come there are no articles on calvert hall players in the area they are 32-0 they have beat carvel academy, st.johns d.c.,notre dame of virgina,and 5 teams from other states in the disney world classic. can they get some print thanks
352 agree | 329 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Jacobs is no doubt best pitcher in the state
426 agree | 354 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
The score was 9-3 not 7-2 and STA also beat prep for the championship 9-1. Just cuz we didnt play St. Johns doesnt mean you can look past us.
344 agree | 363 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Albans has a good record, but who have they played? Their obvious DC competitors are St. Johns and Gonzaga. Have they played them? The premier private school is Notre Dame. Have they played them? How good is the IAC this year?
798 agree | 402 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Brady dominating on the mound. Best pitcher in state
625 agree | 398 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Good Luck to the Panthers. PVI has a great program!
405 agree | 379 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree