Today was warm but windy--gusts to 30mph! We had behind-the-plate tickets (section 213 row 3) for the Dodgers at the new facility that the Diamondbacks and the Rockies share at Salt River. We got there waaay too early. The gates were open at 10:30 but neither team took batting practice on the field. The Rockies were in their batting cages, so we went to both Team Stores to shop for a good Spring Training shirt for Tracy. After much debate, here is the winner.
Then I waited in section 101 until nearly 12:30 and not a single Rockies player in sight--not that I would know any of them anyway! Finally someone pointed to some Dodger players arriving and I switched sides. There were a few players signing including Trent Oeltgen, Jamie Hoffman, John Lindsey, and J.D. Closser. Andre Ethier was signing at a different spot, but was burned out by the time he got to the dugout area where I was. Neither Eugenio Velez or Juan Uribe would come over despite our pleas--but Juan did wave. I was able to get the new third base coach Tim Wallach and the new manager Don Mattingly to sign my program. Mattingly will make his managerial debut against --the Giants!
As for the game, it was OK. It was more fun talking baseball to the folks around us (we had switched seats to get into the shade for a while). One was a Padres fan who knew "Sarge" (Gary Matthews); one was a Dodgers fan--but he was pretty OK. In fact, all the Dodger fans I met were nice; some even helped me obtain a couple of the autographs.
The park is beautiful and is touting itself as "fan friendly". The people at all the concessions and in all the other jobs within the park were indeed awesomely friendly. However, from a "schmooze with the players" perspective, it didn't have much to recommend it. There was very little opportunity for interaction, and all the practice fields keep fans well away from their idols. Hello Maryvale! Even Phoenix Muni was more fun on Saturday. No reason to come here more than once. Well, maybe if the Giants are here I could be persuaded...
Post-game we got together with friends who are A's fans (and are seeing a game every day they are here this week). The margaritas at Manny's were 99 cents and a good time was had by all.
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