Spring Training

bbaker

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Has anyone been to ST on this board? I've never been, but I'm thinking about going this year since I have family in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area (who are big Cubs fans as well) and they want me to come out for a week or so so we can check out Spring Training...is it as awesome as I'm thinking it is?
 

Mr. Cub

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I don't know. I've always wanted to go. I used to work with this chick who was a Cubs fan and she and her family went like every year. So I bet it's pretty bad ass. I wish I lived in AZ so I wouldn't have to drive for 8-10 hours haha
 

bbaker

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haha ya, it's an 18 hr drive for me..my family out there tries to go a few days every year but I've never really had time to join them until this year. I would think it would be pretty badass..
 

Mr. Cub

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I would love to see anything close to some Cubs baseball. I would be pretty stoked to go see the Iowa Cubs haha I wish I lived in Chi so I could go to the Cubs Conventions. That would be sick!
 

bbaker

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I hear ya! I'm in Dallas so I too am dying to watch some Cubs baseball in person again. It's been a few years since they came to Texas for a series vs. the Rangers...It would've been awesome to see Pujols in a Cubs ST uni this year. :lol:
 

Mr. Cub

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I haven't seen any MLB baseball before haha This past season I went to an SLC Bees vs. Colorado Sky Sox AAA game. It was awesome. Made my hunger for a real MLB (Cubs) game worsen.
 

bbaker

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Minor league games are awesome. Cheap & they're never really packed. Can't beat that!

You also get to see some of these players grow and it's fun to watch their careers in the Majors.
 

Mr. Cub

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For sure. I was wanting to try and get to a game against Iowa. Wanted to see players like Lemahieu, Colvin, Jackson and other players that could be future Cubs or back and forth players. Maybe this next season I will get to one. We always play Iowa a few times a season.
 

IvyEnvy

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We went out to Mesa last year for a week. Yes, it's awesome. The players are completely accessible. If you want to talk to someone, you can. Everyone is friendly and laid back. It's a great experience.
 

tbo41fan

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I live 3 months of the year in Phoenix...ST is pretty awesome
 

Captain Obvious

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Found out I get to go out for a week this year! Pretty stoked to meet Theo Epstein. I will meet Theo Epstein.
 

nwfisch

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Weren't you at the Santo statue unveiling Ernie :tongue:
 

nwfisch

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My favorite teams
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I'll have to post your picture :fist:
 

Pepe Silvia

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I went during Spring Break a few years back. It was pretty awesome! Lots of great Cubs fans and hot chicks in the sun was a sight for sore eyes after a long winter. Just don't forget to bring a hat. I forgot to bring one and my face burnt really bad, and I never burn. That arizona sun is a beast.
 

bbaker

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I'm pretty excited to get out there! I'll be out there March 10-14th.
 

Koz

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I live in AZ and Spring Training is what I look forward to all year long. I've been going since before I could stand on my own. I can tell you anything you'd like to know about HoHoCam Park or Fitch Park. I know all the best spots to get autographs including the weight room exit and the player parking lot exit. I can also tell you which players are good or bad at giving autographs.

I can't tell you where Theo will be, but I can tell you that Jim Hendry always sat in the first row behind the backstop, basically the seat closest to the Cubs dugout. He sat there so that he could talk to the coaches and manager who regularly sit on folding chairs in front of the backstop. There was always a security guard restricting walk-up access to him, but he was easy to get before sitting down or when he'd get up from his seat.
 

tbo41fan

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I went during Spring Break a few years back. It was pretty awesome! Lots of great Cubs fans and hot chicks in the sun was a sight for sore eyes after a long winter. Just don't forget to bring a hat. I forgot to bring one and my face burnt really bad, and I never burn. That arizona sun is a beast.
It sure is
I live in AZ and Spring Training is what I look forward to all year long. I've been going since before I could stand on my own. I can tell you anything you'd like to know about HoHoCam Park or Fitch Park. I know all the best spots to get autographs including the weight room exit and the player parking lot exit. I can also tell you which players are good or bad at giving autographs.

I can't tell you where Theo will be, but I can tell you that Jim Hendry always sat in the first row behind the backstop, basically the seat closest to the Cubs dugout. He sat there so that he could talk to the coaches and manager who regularly sit on folding chairs in front of the backstop. There was always a security guard restricting walk-up access to him, but he was easy to get before sitting down or when he'd get up from his seat.

Nice, another Arizonan!

I am currently living in Tucson since I go to UA, but I grew up literally across the street from Jobing.com and UofPhoenix stadium and I now live in central phoenix in the summer

where you live at? near Hohokam in mesa?
 

Koz

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where you live at? near Hohokam in mesa?

I wish! I live in Deer Valley, north of the 101. I'm about 45mins from HoHoCam. I usually go to about 4-5 games each spring at HoHoCam and catch the Cubs at Phx Muni, Surprise, Maryvale and Peoria when they stop there.

I just got my ticket order form in the mail today. Most of the prices are staying the same with about $1 increase on the premium games.

2011 Spring Training was one of the best I've ever seen weather wise. I wouldn't expect the same this year. Sunscreen, a hat and a pair of sunglasses are a must. I wouldn't wear a brand new 5950 out there. It's going to have a ring of sweat around it by the end of the day.

Tips for the Lawn:
If you want good seats to the lawn, get there early. They usually don't open it until like 12:00 or 12:30 for a 1:05pm game and there's a huge crowd on both ends waiting to storm the front. The most popular area seems to be at the top of the hill in left field where the scorebord is. If you sit in the right field lawn, you'll be looking directly into the sun by the time the game ends at 4pm. The right lawn also has semi restricted walkways because the paths are shared by the vising team players and both bullpens. There will also be barricades behind the right field bleachers to ease the Cubs players exits from the autograph hounds making it even more difficult for RF lawn people to get to the restrooms. Also, the staff at HoHoCam is completely volunteer and do not even check tickets in the bleacher sections. If this spring is anything like last, you should be able to buy lawn tickets and never have to actually sit out there....unless of course you want to. The lawn population is primarily college kids from the midwest or ASU/UofA kids on spring break. Be prepared for a lot of stupidity and scantily clad women.
 

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