Have you ever gone to your MLB team's spring training?

[BeachBaby]

I've been thinking about going this year, but I don't know anybody who's ever gone.

I was wondering if you can meet the players, get up close to take good pictures, etc. What events are there for the fans?

In other words, would it be worth the trip?

[Oeditpus Rex]

1. Et viola!

http://www.springtrainingonline.com/

[BeachBaby]

2. Wow - thanks!

:hi:

[Forkboy]

3. I just can't get into baseball until late June.

Like all sports except football, the season is just way too long. It's hard for me to get excited about Spring Training with 162 games on the docket.

However, if you're hardcore, then I would think it would be totally worth it. I used to go to Boston Bruins practices (they practiced in my town before the season) and loved it. If baseball is your sport you should do it, just for the experience and the memory of it. I know I got autographs and pucks and stuff easily back then (mid 70's).

Look at it this way, it's better to regret something you did do than something you didn't. Go for it. :)

[BeachBaby]

7. I wouldn't say I'm hardcore.....

but I was wondering if it would be a little more close and personal, than to be one of 65,000 fans in a stadium during regular season.

But it might be worth the trip, just for the warmer weather. Winter sucks. :)

[Forkboy]

13. Winter sucks?

See, you ARE a hardcore baseball fan. No hockey fan or football fan would utter such a blasphemy. ;)

Like I said, you should do it. I bet you'd have a lot of fun. A Sox preseason game has like 5,000 people there...it has to be more up close an personal than the just seeing a regular season game. I bet you'd always remember it, and that alone is worth something.

[BeachBaby]

14. LOL.

Actually, I *am* a hardcore football fan - just not a fan of brutal temps. x(

I've been wanting to do the spring training thing for years. My 40th birthday falls during the training - so I was thinking that that would be a great way to celebrate. :)

[Parche]

4. i dont watch or follow hockey

so no......:hi: :hug:

[BeachBaby]

10. You're goofy.

It's baseball, babe - BASEBALL. :rofl: :hug:

[TZ]

5. If the Phillies still had Pat Burrell I might be tempted to go with you..

:(
:
;)

[BeachBaby]

6. Ugh. Don't remind me.

Don't you have bowling tonight?

[TZ]

8. No bowling this session

Stepfather's back surgery is TOMORROW..which reminds me..I gotta call my mom..:(

[BeachBaby]

11. He'll be just fine.

:hug:

Tell him that I would be more than willing to lend him my Eagles jacket for good luck! :rofl:

[madinmaryland]

27. Bowling has a spring training???

:wtf:

The things we all learn from turtleandsue!!1!!

:rofl:

[TZ]

28. .

:spank:
FYI, Tuesday was my league night and last week was the first week of the spring session but do to my stepfathers impending back surgery we had to opt out...

[madinmaryland]

29. Sorry about your stepfather.

Based on your comments, I just never thought of you as a bowler. I suck at wii bowling, but am decent on the real lanes.

:shrug:

[TZ]

30. s'okay

I'm a much better wii bowler than I am in real life...I've gone bowling on and off for years but this is the first year I did a league.
FWIW my xmas present to my mom and stepdad is a double ball holding wheeled REDSKIN bowling bag..:)

[madinmaryland]

31. That's just cruel!!!

:rofl:

So what's your handicap??

[TZ]

32. not very good...

I think its like....68?

[bigwillq]

9. No

But I would like to if I ever have the chance.

[BeachBaby]

15. I hear ya.

Just trying to get as much info before I put out the money for it. :)

[Neshanic]

12. We would make a long lunch, and take in a game. It is very relaxed, and

you can get seats right on the field. The players seemed to be very accessable, we watched as they signed and talked with their fans. One of the redeeming things of living in the Phoenix area, the multitude of offerings for this. All the venues are very new, and it's alot of fun, relaxed, sunny and warm.

I am not that into baseball, but it is a great way to spend an afternoon.

[BeachBaby]

17. It's a bit of a haul for me.

I'm in Jersey - my team trains in Florida. If I'm doing this, I am going to be there a few days - so I just wanted to make sure it would be worth the expense. :)

It does sound like fun, though! :party:

[azmouse]

16. Remember the sunscreen!

And enjoy the games! :)

[BeachBaby]

20. If I go....

I'm also going for the deep tan. ;)

Thanks! :)

[motely36]

18. I would love to go

maybe some day :)

[InternalDialogue]

19. I've gone twice to Rockies training in Tucson.

Loved it both times. Uber-relaxed, plenty of opportunities to meet the players, both at the fields and in the team hotel. Plus the weather break was welcome, and the feeling that for a few days there was no ticking clock or meetings to attend made it all worthwhile.

[CreekDog]

21. I've gone to Scottsdale, AZ but it was nowhere near as interesting as a real game

if you are really into several players, it's an opportunity to meet them and get up close and that's what can make it fun. as for the games themselves, some are good, some seem like NFL preseason games --like scrimmages really.

i really liked preseason NFL training however. now that was just practice, but went up to Rocklin, CA to see the 49ers practice in their pre-season and that was very cool. you sat right in the bleachers with the players and coaches close enough to touch. for that team, with Joe Montana, Steve Young, Jerry Rice and Ronnie Lott, that was something special to see up close. Training can be interesting depending on what you expect and how much access you can get.

[Zomby Woof]

22. Saw the Mariners in Peoria AZ in '04

Record heat in late March - 97 degrees. I didn't make an effort to meet or get autographs, but I had to see Edgar Martinez play one more time, since I had left Seattle and wouldn't be able to go to Safeco. Always a treat to see Ichiro too.

It's great fun. You can lay out on grass above the outfield, where bleachers would normally be. Just be sure to have good sunscreen.

[AlCzervik]

23. My best friend goes every year, this will be her 20th.

she loves it.

[LeftyMom]

24. No, but I've gone to football camp a lot.

The 49ers used to hold theirs in Rocklin, so we'd go take a look at least once every season. They had bleachers and some days players would come over and sign autographs, but mostly you'd just get an early look at the rookies and free agents.

[madinmaryland]

25. I saw the Pirates in Spring Training a few years back in Sarasota.

They suck in Spring Training, too!

On edit: I saw the Colts (Baltimore) in preseason training camp in 1971 and remember Johnny Unitas, in Westminster, MD.

[reyd reid reed]

26. I've never been

but I want to go soooooo badly. One of these years (of course I've been saying that for years) we're just gonna pack up the kids and go without thinking about it too much -- it's the only way we'll do it. My understanding is that it's much more relaxed and the players are more accessible (although Bonehead got to meet both Dempster and Fukudome when the Cubs were at Coors last spring) -- I imagine it being more like a triple-A game.

It's almost time, though.

:bounce:

[ogneopasno]

33. YES -- we went several years ago and it was a total BLAST.

Very laid back games and crowds, like watching a AAA game but with your favorite pros. You can walk right up to the fences at their practices and hear them chatter. We didn't try to get autographs or chit chat with the players (that didn't appeal to us), but listening to them banter with each other was so much fun.

In the meantime, we went down to the ocean, and drove around trying to figure out the very special bizarre hell that is Florida.

[Initech]

34. I've been to Tempe to watch the Angels a couple times.

Thinking about going this year but the only dates I could possibly go clash with my trip to Amsterdam.

[SoxFan]

35. Someday!

I have an aunt and uncle down in Naples, so I really don't have an excuse. Someday I am going to make the pilgrimage to Ft. Myers.

[Bill219]

36. Yes..

Every year my wife and I head down to Florida for a week of Red Sox spring training...we have been doing it for about 5 years now.

This year we are bringing our 6 year old and he is very excited and hoping to meet Big Papi and Josh Beckett