Brewers to sign 25 year agreement with Maryvale

[jerichoholicninja]

Seriously. We are putting in a ridiculous % of money in a renovation project no team has ever come close to in MLB history...and here we are in grand ole...Maryvale. I am just saying I would have expected a better location for such an investment. I’m not saying the most important thing is the facilities for players, but jeez if we are investing ridiculous money when ever other team in history hasn’t I would expect a world class complex in a world class location. Not the worst location imaginable.

 

Big league teams living off the public dole in Arizona is over. The Brewers came too late to that party. And honesty, the only place I hear complaints about Maryvale is from internet keyboard jockey's. I've yet to read anything negative about it from players or management.

[Warning Track Power]

The links below show the average attendance for all Spring Training teams. Of the 15 teams in the Cactus League, the Brewers finished 14th in 2017, 13th in 2016, 13th in 2015 and 12th in 2014. Given the passion of us Brewer fans and the appeal of Arizona to Wisconsinites in March, there has to be a reason why they consistently finish so low in attendance. I'd be curious to hear what others believe that to be because I believe it is the location of the ballpark and Brewer fans choosing to watch them in a different location than Maryvale.

 

What I do find rather interesting is the Indians and Reds facility consistently being 14th and 15th as I would much rather go to Goodyear than Maryvale. Anyone who has been to Goodyear care to share their experience? Is this a lack of passion from Reds/Indians fans (other than last year for the Indians)?

 

2017: http://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/attendance/spring-training-2017.html

2016: http://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/attendance/spring-training-2016.html

2015: http://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/attendance/spring-training-2015.html

2014: http://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/attendance/spring-training-2014.html

[MrTPlush]

Not the worst location imaginable.

 

Come on, I have been to Maryvale and I know its not the greatest place in the world, but Phoenix has way worst areas to put up a spring training home.

 

I’m comparing it specifically the the other locations that have ST complexes. I’m also not just referring to how “dangerous” it is according to some. I’m referring to just overall the area is lacking. We have by far the worst location putting up the biggest investment. Not necessarily shocked and agree the public paying for these is in the past...but man you’d think we could have gotten a bit more lucky and gotten the Gilbert location for all the money we are throwing in.

[KeithStone53151]

Not the worst location imaginable.

 

Come on, I have been to Maryvale and I know its not the greatest place in the world, but Phoenix has way worst areas to put up a spring training home.

 

I’m comparing it specifically the the other locations that have ST complexes. I’m also not just referring to how “dangerous” it is according to some. I’m referring to just overall the area is lacking. We have by far the worst location putting up the biggest investment. Not necessarily shocked and agree the public paying for these is in the past...but man you’d think we could have gotten a bit more lucky and gotten the Gilbert location for all the money we are throwing in.

 

The area really isn't that bad, it's not like you're on the corner of 10th and north hoping not to eat a stray bullet. I've been to Maryvale and didn't feel remotely unsafe about it. We didn't stay in Maryvale, I imagine most don't. And the surrounding area has plenty to do.

 

As far as the investment goes, it's a lot up front but they protected it with a 25 year lease. Averages out to $2-3 million per year. And for all we know, the Brewers could be paying much less on the lease to make up for our big investment in the improvements.

 

I personally don't understand all the negativity regarding this lease situation. You can just as easily choose to see the Brewers during "away" games if you hate the Maryvale location that much. And what the Brewers spend on a spring training facility isn't impacting the big league club or our ability to compete.

[pacopete4]

You can just as easily choose to see the Brewers during "away" games if you hate the Maryvale location that much.

 

This is usually what I do.

[Warning Track Power]

I personally don't understand all the negativity regarding this lease situation. You can just as easily choose to see the Brewers during "away" games if you hate the Maryvale location that much.

You summed up my sentiments perfectly here. All the negativity surrounding the lease is because I want to go to the Brewers Spring Training home to watch games not have to go to away games. If the Brewers are investing $40-$60 million on their Spring Training home, I would've preferred the investment in just about any other area in the Valley.

 

While I have to believe they explored every option (different cities, partnering with another team willing to make a similar investment in a new stadium/location), it doesn't mean it is less disappointing when you see the Talking Sticks, Sloan Park and Surprise Stadiums of the Cactus League.

[KeithStone53151]

I personally don't understand all the negativity regarding this lease situation. You can just as easily choose to see the Brewers during "away" games if you hate the Maryvale location that much.

You summed up my sentiments perfectly here. All the negativity surrounding the lease is because I want to go to the Brewers Spring Training home to watch games not have to go to away games. If the Brewers are investing $40-$60 million on their Spring Training home, I would've preferred the investment in just about any other area in the Valley.

 

While I have to believe they explored every option (different cities, partnering with another team willing to make a similar investment in a new stadium/location), it doesn't mean it is less disappointing when you see the Talking Sticks, Sloan Park and Surprise Stadiums of the Cactus League.

 

Jeez, you can't be serious with this level of whining. Maryvale really isn't a bad stadium. And home vs away in general is meaningless, it's all in the same general area. I can't understand why an away game is such a burden. You clearly were going to whine like crazy unless the end result was the taxpayer buying us a big shiny new stadium in your ideal location.

[Warning Track Power]

I personally don't understand all the negativity regarding this lease situation. You can just as easily choose to see the Brewers during "away" games if you hate the Maryvale location that much.

You summed up my sentiments perfectly here. All the negativity surrounding the lease is because I want to go to the Brewers Spring Training home to watch games not have to go to away games. If the Brewers are investing $40-$60 million on their Spring Training home, I would've preferred the investment in just about any other area in the Valley.

 

While I have to believe they explored every option (different cities, partnering with another team willing to make a similar investment in a new stadium/location), it doesn't mean it is less disappointing when you see the Talking Sticks, Sloan Park and Surprise Stadiums of the Cactus League.

 

Jeez, you can't be serious with this level of whining. Maryvale really isn't a bad stadium. And home vs away in general is meaningless, it's all in the same general area. I can't understand why an away game is such a burden. You clearly were going to whine like crazy unless the end result was the taxpayer buying us a big shiny new stadium in your ideal location.

I never suggested taxpayers foot a bill for "a big shiny stadium," nor have I ever said Maryvale was a bad stadium. Forgive me for hoping the Brewers would invest $40-$60 million in a better neighborhood. Who knew you were so sensitive to common sense investing?

[wildcat2237]

The links below show the average attendance for all Spring Training teams. Of the 15 teams in the Cactus League, the Brewers finished 14th in 2017, 13th in 2016, 13th in 2015 and 12th in 2014. Given the passion of us Brewer fans and the appeal of Arizona to Wisconsinites in March, there has to be a reason why they consistently finish so low in attendance. I'd be curious to hear what others believe that to be because I believe it is the location of the ballpark and Brewer fans choosing to watch them in a different location than Maryvale.

 

What I do find rather interesting is the Indians and Reds facility consistently being 14th and 15th as I would much rather go to Goodyear than Maryvale. Anyone who has been to Goodyear care to share their experience? Is this a lack of passion from Reds/Indians fans (other than last year for the Indians)?

 

2017: http://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/attendance/spring-training-2017.html

2016: http://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/attendance/spring-training-2016.html

2015: http://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/attendance/spring-training-2015.html

2014: http://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/attendance/spring-training-2014.html

 

I have been to the Goodyear ballpark. The ballpark is waaaaay out on the west side of town. It sits right next to an ugly commercial airline boneyard. Moreover, the westside gets a bad rap in Phoenix.

 

As a result, I am guessing the lack of attendance is from the lack of population density near the stadium as opposed to places like Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale and the bad reputation of the west side of town.

[mertonmonk]

I've been to Maryvale and just about all the other ST ballparks. I've taken part in the Brewers Fantasy Camp twice at Maryvale. Yeah, the area itself isn't great, but the Brewers complex is outstanding. The cheap tickets at all the parks and the access to the players makes ST games more fun than regular season games. Just avoid Cubs games because they always sell out, so you can't just walk up and get tickets, and the Cubs park doesn't do any of the fun between-innings promotions that all the other teams do. The minor league complex at Maryvale is also very nice. You don't even have to buy tickets to go to the games - just show up. I sat next to Ned Yost's wife when their son was playing for a Brewers minor league team. I'm pleased the Brewers are staying in Maryvale and have it locked up for such a long time. That means they can develop that site to suit their needs and tickets probably won't go up much in cost. I believe the Brewers use that facility year-round as a rehab location, so it's not just a 6-week facility. Having the minor league complex right next to the major league fields also makes it easier for the team to shuttle players between games if they need more guys to cover a game, or if they just want to give someone a little exposure to major league level play. For people staying in Phoenix to watch games, there are great hotels everywhere and Maryvale and the other parks are all a short drive away. Phoenix is not a sprawling metropolis - most of the parks are 15-30 minutes from whatever hotel you pick.

[Patrick425]

I have been to the Goodyear ballpark. The ballpark is waaaaay out on the west side of town.

 

I guess everyone has a different thought on what is considered a long distance. Most years when we stayed in Phoenix, we stayed at a place near the South Mountains (SW of downtown). It's about a 35 minute drive from there to Goodyear. I don't think that is "waaaay out" there. If you stay in Scottsdale (pretty much opposite end of Phoenix), it's about a 40 minute drive. That's not that crazy. Many of the FL parks are much farther apart than that.

[homer]

I have been to the Goodyear ballpark. The ballpark is waaaaay out on the west side of town.

 

I guess everyone has a different thought on what is considered a long distance. Most years when we stayed in Phoenix, we stayed at a place near the South Mountains (SW of downtown). It's about a 35 minute drive from there to Goodyear. I don't think that is "waaaay out" there. If you stay in Scottsdale (pretty much opposite end of Phoenix), it's about a 40 minute drive. That's not that crazy. Many of the FL parks are much farther apart than that.

 

Depends on traffic. Scottsdale to Goodyear can take well over an hour (it's 52 min drive as I type this at 8am Phoenix time).

[Patrick425]

I have been to the Goodyear ballpark. The ballpark is waaaaay out on the west side of town.

 

I guess everyone has a different thought on what is considered a long distance. Most years when we stayed in Phoenix, we stayed at a place near the South Mountains (SW of downtown). It's about a 35 minute drive from there to Goodyear. I don't think that is "waaaay out" there. If you stay in Scottsdale (pretty much opposite end of Phoenix), it's about a 40 minute drive. That's not that crazy. Many of the FL parks are much farther apart than that.

 

Depends on traffic. Scottsdale to Goodyear can take well over an hour (it's 52 min drive as I type this at 8am Phoenix time).

 

 

Well yes, at 8am during rush hour traffic is going to be worse. Most games start at 1pm and not sure about others, but we tend to leave ST games around the 7th inning (after players with numbers 80 and above and no names on their jerseys start entering the game) before afternoon rush hour gets too bad.

[Eye Black]

The first renderings of the renovated Maryvale Baseball Park are available at this JS Online Link.

 

From the article...

 

The Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday released renderings as well as a full description of the renovation project for Maryvale Baseball Park, showing the full scope of the expansion scheduled to be finished in time for 2019 spring training.

 

“This is an exciting time for the Milwaukee Brewers as we build a world-class, year-round facility in Arizona for our operations,” Brewers chief operating officer Rick Schlesinger said.

 

In November, the Phoenix city council approved the plan to renovate the facility, where the Brewers have trained since 1998. In that proposal, the Brewers agreed to contribute $56 million to $60 million to the project and commit to remaining at the facility through at least 2042.

 

Construction is set to begin at the end of this spring’s camp and be “substantially completed” by the start of 2019 spring training, an ambitious goal considering the scope of the project. The city of Phoenix will allocate $2 million each year for the next five years to the renovation, and the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority will contribute approximately $5.7 million.

[Eye Black]

Some additional Tweets on the renovated complex from Tom Haudricourt...

 

@Haudricourt: #Brewers farm director Tom Flanagan on training complex renovation: "A lot of stuff goes on throughout the summer for the staff, so our guys kind of live in it for 12 months as opposed to 6-7 weeks. It's going to do wonders for the ability to do different things."

 

@Haudricourt: More Flanagan on #Brewers spring expansion: "The biggest thing, first and foremost, is just the layout and the overall space. We had a lot of what we needed, but it was just in a really tight footprint. I think being able to spread out a little bit will help."

 

@Haudricourt: More Flanagan on #Brewers spring expansion: "The weight room is going to be first-class. It'll be very, very impressive."

 

Adam McCalvy also wrote this MLB.com Article which includes Video of owner Mark Attanasio speaking about the Spring Training complex.

[Invader3K]

The new renderings definitely make it look like it will be a significant upgrade over what's there now.

[wildcat2237]

Having been to Maryvale numerous times, I can tell that the overhaul is very expansive.

 

I have no idea how they plan to get it all done in 10 or so months.

[MrTPlush]

Having been to Maryvale numerous times, I can tell that the overhaul is very expansive.

 

I have no idea how they plan to get it all done in 10 or so months.

 

They build pro size stadiums in a few years. This probably isn’t that crazy especially where there isn’t inclement weather(for the most part).

[therealglawton]

I personally love Maryvale. Great atmosphere and great place to watch baseball.