The Redlegs

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Pleasant good day from the Valley of the Sun! After a long day of travel, we are happy to be sitting at our hostel in Phoenix recounting our first game of the Cactus League 2014 road trip. While our experiences are just getting started, I can already foresee, even after only one game, that this will be a Baseball Road Trip for the ages.

We left Highland at around 1230 in the afternoon, heading east on I-10. The route takes you through the essence of the desert southwest, and both of us were constantly on awe of the shades of browns and reds that the desert landscape had to offer. I'm excited to do a little hiking this week at South Mountain Park to really experience the natural beauty even more.

We got to Goodyear about an hour before the Reds-Rangers tilt. I really enjoyed talking with my travel partner as we toured the park about the concept of Spring Training and what we were about to witness. For a Friday night game between the Reds and the Rangers, I was surprised at just how may people there were in attendance. 

Many times since my last visit to the Valley of the Sun I've espoused the virtues of Spring Training. I've said how pure it is for the true fan. I've said that every fan of the game, who respects the traditions and lore of the game, needs to do a Spring Training road trip before they die. Something different happened, however, at Goodyear that has me concerned for these bits of advice to all of you. It seemed like the experience had gotten lost. 

This is the only game for our trip that we got actual seats for the game as opposed to the lawn. Be it as it may, our seats were sandwiched between such unsavory characters as bratty kids, pretentious parents, and drunken older women. Add to that the unusual amount of minor league-esque promotions made for an uncomfortable experience at a ballpark I rather like. For the entire drive back to our hostel, my traveling partner and I had this sense of longing. It was almost a "we came all the way for this?" attitude of the game. Considering how much I hyped up the relaxed attitude and experience of Spring Training, I was a little embarrassed.

Our direct neighbors were a family with numerous kids who felt the need to constantly get up and move the entire game. They kept blocking our view and everyone else's, but the parents seemed more concerned with dropping gobs of money on overpriced hot dogs, nachos and candy for their inconsiderate kids. Add to that the woman sitting behind us kept drinking and drinking all the while loudly talking about her innate knowledge of the game of baseball and insulting the players. It got to the point where my partner and I moved to a different section all together. 

Folks, Goodyear Ballpark is a fine facility and I like it very much. Out of the Cactus League parks I've been to, it ranks probably second out of all of them. Last time I was there, I didn't experience any of this. It was a real chill place with sedate people. It makes me wonder if it had something to do with the Reds organization themselves. I've read a few online forums that say the Reds tend to go overboard with the gimmicks and that their fans tend to be rather obnoxious. I don't think they are as bad as Yankees or Red Sox fans, but I could begin to agree with the Internet message boards.

The Cincinnati Reds scored two runs early on and held off the visiting Texas Rangers late to take a 2-1 victory. 

Today was a log day as I had to work before driving the long way out here. I'm very tired and anxious to get some sleep. Briefly, however, I'll go through tomorrow. Our plan is to wake up early and drive out to Salt River Fields to catch the Rockies practice.  After that, I'll finally get to see my new hometown team, the Angels, take on the Rockies. Once that's done, we'll make our way across town to Glendale where I'll see my 52nd professional ballpark, Camelback Ranch, and the Dodgers-White Sox contest. 

A doubleheader tomorrow, but the action is only beginning to heat up. So, until then...

Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)