Last year, if you recall, I just went to Scottsdale for the day to see the AFL Championship game. This year, I'm doing things a bit different as I'm squeezing in two doubleheaders. The Arizona Fall League is a collection of six teams whose rosters are populated with the top prospects from each of the thirty Major League clubs. The league is designed to be a showcase event for these top prospects as they play against much better talent than their respective Minor League seasons. It is also a proving ground for a number of prospective rules changes for MLB, namely pace of play. The teams play at the Spring Training homes of a number of different ballclubs.
Tomorrow, I'm leaving Highland before dawn and setting the cruise control for the roughly five hour drive to Phoenix. After stopping for a Dutch Bros. coffee and dropping off my car at the hotel, I'll bike up to Scottsdale Stadium, spring home of the Giants, for the first game of the day featuring the Peoria Javelinas (ATL, BAL, CIN, SD, SEA) at the Scottsdale Scorpions (BOS, CLE, DET, MIN, SF). After that game, I'll ride back down to the hotel, grab the car, and drive out to Sloan Park, spring home of the Cubs, for the Mesa Solar Sox (CHC, LAA, MIA, OAK, TB) to play host to the Salt River Rafters (ARI, COL, NYM, TOR, WAS) . I haven't been to Sloan Park before, so this will be my 61st professional baseball stadium.
Saturday will have me wake up at a decent hour, grab breakfast and another Dutch Bros., and head out to Glendale to see the Surprise Saguaros (KC, MIL, NYY, STL, TEX) against the Glendale Desert Dogs (CWS, HOU, LAD, PHI, PIT). This game is at Camelback Ranch, spring home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox. I'll grab a quick drink at a new brewery after that game before heading out to the Peoria Sports Complex, spring home of the Mariners and Padres, to see the Peoria play host to the Scottsdale.
Finally, on Sunday, before heading out of town, I'm going to hit up South Mountain Park for their "car-free" day and do a bike ride around the park and up the mountain. Considering how I'll have my car and the bike, I may add in some hiking after the ride. I'll grab one last Dutch Bros. before jumping back on the 10 westbound for Highland.
From what I have read, the games are pretty sparsely attended, usually with only the diehard fans making the trek. However, when I went to the Championship Game last year, it was a sellout, so I don't know what to expect.
As you can see, this is going to be a really fun trip with some great activities mixed in with the baseball. This month away from the ballpark has really amped up my excitement and I'm itching to hit the road. What's nice about this trip is that it will be relaxing and I won't be super tired afterwards as I don't have any super early mornings or late nights planned for the trip, aside from tomorrow's early departure.
As always, I'll update the blog along the way. Keep an eye out on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the-minute trackings of my adventures.
Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)
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