Trying something new seems to have been my theme for Baseball Road Trips these past few years. Sure, the routines I have developed from those new experiences are awesome and I wouldn't trade them in for anything, but I'm always looking for new and exciting things. This trip to Phoenix really took that creed to a whole different level. Heck, for the past two trips out to Phoenix, I have been trying new things and new experiences, and from them, I am now establishing a really fun routine when I go there.
Hey, I like going to games in Goodyear. It's closer to me than any other Cactus League park, there's a great Dutch Bros a mile away, and, as it turns out, is pretty easy to get to via a bike. But, like all the rest of the Cactus League stadiums, it has gotten too big and too crowded for my liking. While I enjoy a good sellout and the vibes that come about from it, it seems a little more contrite for a Spring Training exhibition game. With the starters only playing four innings or so, and then it becoming a Minor League game, for the most part, the large crowds and the associated debauchery from alcohol come along with it despite the real meaningless of the game. Maybe it has something to do with me going to weekend games for the past two seasons, but with my work schedule the way it is, that's all I can do.
I think for my future trips to Spring Training, I'll hit up one Major League game, just to keep the experience real and authentic. When scheduling for Baseball Road Trips during the season, I find myself scheduling around day games because they are easier to navigate using my chosen transportation. In the case of the Cactus League, I might try and schedule a Major League game at night so that I can pull off a doubleheader one of these days.
A doubleheader with the morning devoted to Backfield action. I think it would be so cool for next year to take a long weekend and do nothing but hit up the Backfields and the Minor League games. I'm totally sold on the Backfields and, honestly, I can't even comprehend doing Spring Training and NOT seeing it. I was totally amazed at the low-key atmosphere, the accessibility of players and coaches, the willingness for people to talk to you, being around other die-hard fans, and, literally, catching two games at once. And, the cherry on top of all this, you can't beat the price of FREE!
But, with my new found attraction is kind of a taboo feeling. I don't want others to know what the experience is like. It is so great and wonderful, and I would hate for it to change. I'd hate for the clubs to start charging for the games. I'd hate for their to be commercialization of it through promotions or sales of concessions. I'd hate for the "Weekend Warriors" to descend on the Backfields and use the place and experience for cavorting and non-baseball related social activities. There aren't many places in the baseball world that are like the Backfields, and I hope that it stays that way.
This was my first Spring Training experience on my bike, and it was a real blast. Try this on for size: A long weekend, with action on the Backfields, and going from complex to complex on the bike. That sequence is music to my ears, and I think that using Tempe as a "base" for my travels is a good idea. From my hotel, I could easily bike to two of the Cactus League parks. It was also on the light rail line, so that really expanded my options for that. In addition, since I had my car, I could pull off what I did in Goodyear and drive someplace, park, and ride in, thus saving the money on parking.
On my way out of town, I stopped at South Mountain Park and did a ride. On the fourth Saturday of every month, the City of Phoenix shuts down all the roads in the park for cars and leaves them open to bikers and walkers. I rode my bike all the way to the top of the mountain, which was a great workout. Just another neat thing on the bike that added to the overall experience.
My mind is already concocting new and exciting things to do for next year's Spring Training visit. It was a fun Road Trip, and I can't wait to go again next year!
The only baseball planned for me is on Tuesday when my Oregon Ducks make a visit to UC Riverside. This will be my first of two opportunities to see my alma mater play this year, so I'll be wearing all my Duck stuff and representing the University of Oregon at the Riverside Sports Complex.
Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)
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