Spring Break 2011

It's March in Arizona and that means one thing - Baseball Spring Training!!!!

March 14-18 was Spring Break for my kids and Timm.  My Dad has been able to  come down and hit Spring Training game the past couple of years and LOVED it.  So he and my mom decided to come down while the kids were out of school and hang out with the guys and catch a game or two.  I took vacation Wed. - Fri.  And we let the good times roll. 

My dad had made a list the week before they came that lined out games he thought would be fun to hit.  He wanted to buy tickets early, but I told him not to worry about it.  We have never had trouble getting tickets in the past.

On Wed, 3/16 we headed to this new Salt River stadium to catch the Diamondbacks vs the Dodgers.

  As we pulled up to the stadium - they put out the sold out sign.  Bummer.  I think my dad was pretty disappointed.  So we just went to lunch and back home.  That night we went to EXTREME BOWLING - where we enjoyed watching a solo bowler who brought his own balls (get your mind out of the gutter - he brought 4 bowling balls) and towel he used frequently to buff and polish his balls.  They were the cleanest balls I had ever seen.  We had a fun time watching in disbelief at how serious he took himself in a bowling alley where neon was flashing and videos were blaring songs like "Celebrate Good Times, Come'on!".  BTW - I had the highest score on our lane!  Suck it Fellas!

Thurs, 3/17 we joined all of the Chicago Cub fans (who were celebrating St. Patrick's day Irish Style) as they played the A's.  It was a great game.  The A's actually game back in the bottom of the 9th and won it with a walk of home run.  It was an interesting (and packed) game to be at.  My work colleague from Chicago put is best when she said, "All Chicagoans revert to their College selves in celebration of St. Patrick's Day!"  Anyhoo, it was fun.

Friday, 3/18 we chilled out and went to the outlet malls during the day, but that evening was a blast!  We went out to Goodyear to watch the Indians play the Rangers. 

 

 This field is the Spring Training field for Cleveland and Cincinnati. So they have an Battle of Ohio - the one who wins the most during the times they face each other gets to take home this trophy.

 My dad's little buddy, Sheldon, works the ground crew at that field, so my dad wanted to make sure we hit that stadium. Sheldon had told my dad about the All-you-can-eat outfield deck. So we had to experience that.

 

 The cool factor of this evening was best described by Trevor's inquiry, "Why didn't we get to park in the VIP section? We've got these bracelets (wristbands), we're special!"

We did feel pretty special. It was awesome. We were on a deck over right field. It was right over the clubhouses, so when players were finished, they walked into the looker room doors right under us.

 

Additionally, not much beats a ballpark hot dog and unlimited Diet Coke.

Last time my dad came to this field with us, he got a shirt signed by Bob Feller.  So I think it holds a special place in his heart. He seemed to have a great time.

 

 And I may have mentioned, it was All-You-Could-Eat so Tanner loved it!

 Trevor got a new shirt.

 To make Trevor feel even more like a star, the camera man came onto our deck and Trevor was on the Jumbotron!  It was a great time!

In between Spring Training games, there were several Xbox-360 MLB2011 games played!

 

Saturday, many of us were ball-gamed out, but my brother had secured a ticket to the Diamondbacks for my dad (one of his former players, Cam Mickolio, plays for the Dbacks now). So he went solo and the rest of us chilled.

My Parents left on Sunday.  It was sure great to have them visit.