No game--just Scottsdale stadium

The Giants were playing in Tucson today. We have made that trip in years past--no thank you! We knew that any player who could wiggle out of going was going to be at Scottsdale stadium instead. We got there around 9:30 after a leisurely breakfast at the Original Pancake House. The security guy said that the bus left for Tucson at 8 am, but the Dugout store had just opened and the stadium was scheduled to open at 1oam. They actually opened at 9:45, which gave me lots of time to take photos of batting practice and print them out.

The first thing that they did was a sort of weird version of the Ministry of Silly Walks while music played over the loudspeaker. Then some players went into the batting cages, while others batted in the stadium and others shagged fly balls in the outfield.

As they finished (or sometimes, as they switched fields) the players would sign some autographs. OMG, I got a lot of autographs on my photos, including Mark de Rosa, Madison Bumgarner, Aubrey Huff, Juan Uribe, Edgar Renteria, and Tim Lincecum in the stadium. I also got Freddy Sanchez to sign my team bat. He was not in uniform--I am not really sure what he was doing, but we were sure glad to see him!

After practice, we waited outside near the parking lot. Sergio Romo, Joe Martinez and Jeremy Affeldt were some of the players who took the time to sign. We saw a few players getting in their cars--Kevin Pucetas in a black sports car, Matt Cain in a white Ford truck, Timmy in a beautiful silver Mercedes. But Sergio had the loudest stereo!

Brewers vs. Athletics at Maryvale

On Thursday, we went to Maryvale to see the Brewers vs Athletics. This ballpark is about 10 miles from our house. We arrived at 11:30, as the Brewers were still taking batting practice. Parking was $6-yikes! But we got good seats in the 3rd row near the A’s dugout (well between home plate and dugout in the area of the on-deck circle, if they had one).

While we waited, we got to witness the team from XM Sirius radio (standing on the field, behind home plate) talking about the upcoming contest for about a half hour. One guy was so animated and impassioned during the discussion, we thought he was on the floor of Congress. It was kind of scary really. Just before Oakland arrived, they interviewed catcher Greg Zaun, who had lots of good things to say about the Brewers pitching staff. I think that he is new to the team. Randy Wolf was starting that day. He was really good--if rather short! The press guide says he is 5" 10" but I don't know.

Oakland arrived on a bus around 12:15--we could see the bus driver trying to park it in the area just above right field. Anyway, as for autographs, LOTS of A's players signed, and even posed for pictures. Some of the players got confused about which camera to look at, but they were very accommodating with great smiles!

Oh, and the Italian won the sausage race--my favorite!

The A's won the game 7-4.

Indians and the Padres at Goodyear Ballpark

The ballpark is only seven miles from the house that we own here. We arrived at the park around 11:15; the side gate near the parking lot was open and we bought the best available tickets—behind the plate in 5th row, which turned out to be scout territory. At least 10 speed guns were aimed at the pitcher with each throw.

As we went through security, we received a ticket for an autograph, which was to take place outside the team store at noon. They do this on Wednesday and Thursdays for first 200 people who are here allegedly before the gates open. But since yesterday was so cold and windy, I guess that there weren’t anywhere near that many people at the gate prior to opening. Andrew Marte and Chris Gimenez were appearing. I got one autograph from each on a nice postcard purchased at the team store. Tracy found a great all-team spring training 2010 shirt there too. Bob Feller was in his usual spot in the concourse behind section 107 or so. It was announced that he would not be at the next two home games.

I got lots of Cleveland autographs before the Padres even arrived. I have no idea who most of them are—sorry Tribe fans—I will have to look at the photos that Tracy took. Sandy Alomar was the only name I was really familiar with. We just don’t see the American League that often.

Cleveland beat the Padres handily—not only did they bat around in one inning, everyone on the team managed to score in the inning! I didn’t really recognize many players names on the Padres either—it was a split squad—but Chris Denorfia looked familiar, as he played for Oakland last year.

We stayed the whole game. Oh, the waffle cone ice cream ($6) was amazing, and Tracy liked the chili cheese dog.