Things to do at Spring Training?

[owbc]

As of 2017, PHX is 11th largest metro area. (I'm just a geek about that kind of thing.) I actually like the Chandler/Gilbert area a lot, we always stay there if not Scottsdale. Different strokes I guess, I just find Glendale/Peoria to be too generic suburbia USA.

 

I've always find traffic a breeze, it's easy to avoid rush hour when going to the games and getting around town. Just don't drive then, pretty simple.

 

Phoenix is fine to visit but in terms of livability it has to be near the bottom of big cities in the US, no wonder the housing prices are so cheap. Sprawl everywhere with an endless grid of unsightly/dangerous 6-lane roads, no way to get around except driving or Uber, possibly the worst city for pedestrians in the US. Old Scottsdale was the only area that I liked. On the plus side for tourists, there is some really, really good food in Phoenix and the Desert Botanical Garden was awesome. I would go back for Spring Training for sure.

[jlau20]

Made it to some games and have a few minor gripes that I wish the remodel would have further addressed.

 

- No cupholders?!

- I wish they would have made it possible to get around the outside of the stadium from all angles. I got parked outside of centerfield for one game but was meeting someone near the main gates, Google maps says that was about 3/4 of a mile to hike around.

- The security lines seemed quite long for a few of the games I made it to. They did move relatively fast though.

- Heard many people complaining about getting let into the parking lot only to be guided out the end and told to find a street to park on. Since there's only one entrance it shouldn't be that hard for them to keep a rough tally and not overload the lot.

- I'm surprised they agreed to stay in Maryvale.

 

All that said, the place looks great once you get inside. My favorite ballparks are Salt River Fields (if you can get tickets at a reasonable price) and Surprise. Have not been to Camelback, Scottsdale, Sloan, or Tempe Diablo.

[Patrick425]

Made it to some games and have a few minor gripes that I wish the remodel would have further addressed.

 

- No cupholders?!

- I wish they would have made it possible to get around the outside of the stadium from all angles. I got parked outside of centerfield for one game but was meeting someone near the main gates, Google maps says that was about 3/4 of a mile to hike around.

- The security lines seemed quite long for a few of the games I made it to. They did move relatively fast though.

- Heard many people complaining about getting let into the parking lot only to be guided out the end and told to find a street to park on. Since there's only one entrance it shouldn't be that hard for them to keep a rough tally and not overload the lot.

- I'm surprised they agreed to stay in Maryvale.

 

All that said, the place looks great once you get inside. My favorite ballparks are Salt River Fields (if you can get tickets at a reasonable price) and Surprise. Have not been to Camelback, Scottsdale, Sloan, or Tempe Diablo.

 

A lot of this is why I would never go any time after the 1st week of March. Just gets way too crowded for my taste. In regards to the cup holders. That's one of those things that didn't exist for years anywhere and now people can't live without them.

[pitchleague]

I forgot about a minor quibble that I had with the ballpark. It had to do with the carry-in policy of photography equipment. I had my camera bag/backpack with my dSLR, the main lens, and a telephoto lens. Had been planning on taking some photos from all over as I had in previous years down there. Well, security would only let me in with the camera and the main lens. I had to bring the telephoto lens back to the car because they made a new rule about lenses that are bigger than the body of the camera. If you have those longer lenses, they are considered "professional" and not allowed by the general public. Now, my telephoto lens is just the ordinary kind that you can buy that gives you a decent zoom but doesn't allow me to count the freckles on Counsell's face, for instance--it's not one of those giant-sized lenses that you see on the sidelines of the Super Bowl. So, I had to make do with my main lens and the poor zoom capabilities of that lens. Very disappointed with that.

[jerichoholicninja]

I forgot about a minor quibble that I had with the ballpark. It had to do with the carry-in policy of photography equipment. I had my camera bag/backpack with my dSLR, the main lens, and a telephoto lens. Had been planning on taking some photos from all over as I had in previous years down there. Well, security would only let me in with the camera and the main lens. I had to bring the telephoto lens back to the car because they made a new rule about lenses that are bigger than the body of the camera. If you have those longer lenses, they are considered "professional" and not allowed by the general public. Now, my telephoto lens is just the ordinary kind that you can buy that gives you a decent zoom but doesn't allow me to count the freckles on Counsell's face, for instance--it's not one of those giant-sized lenses that you see on the sidelines of the Super Bowl. So, I had to make do with my main lens and the poor zoom capabilities of that lens. Very disappointed with that.

 

Wow. That sucks big time and is totally stupid. Was thinking of going to ST next year and would have brought my similar lens along.

[Lahoud]

Went to spring training in early March-stayed near Salt River -Talking Stick -Giants Minor Leaguers stayed at our hotel-went to breakfast one morning at Butters-table next to us was Mack Williamson -kitty corner was Cameron Maybin with his wife and child.Later at the hotel got on elevator with Giant players said must be day off -saw Maybin and family at breakfast-they said he's out of jail for dui?Story broke later that day.

[jlau20]

A lot of this is why I would never go any time after the 1st week of March. Just gets way too crowded for my taste. In regards to the cup holders. That's one of those things that didn't exist for years anywhere and now people can't live without them.

 

Totally true. I think I am being influenced by the public. Had to be one of the most common things I overheard while in my seats. I always recommend visitors come down the first week of games, and do weekdays if you have the vacation time to spare. Unfortunately, that first week was a little rainy this year.

[Jimbo]

Per usual, I always leave off one thing. Always was curious about the often talked about surrounding neighborhood. Had to see for myself. Not Hampton Avenue bad, but not quite 'Stallis, either.

 

Scottsdale was the initial location I inquired about hotels. Talk about sticker shock.

 

Thought about driving the surface streets, but I thought 30 miles of it would be too much.

 

Also noticed the lack of cupholders first thing. Would have been nice not to worry about spilling my drink under my seat, but not a big deal.

[pitchleague]

I rented a guesthouse from Airbnb out in the Buckeye area (west valley). It was great! $66 for the night (plus fees) but still came out WAY ahead of even a freaking Motel 6! The drive wasn't even that terrible!

 

After the game, we did the surface street thing all the way from the ballpark back out to the west valley, rather than fight the construction on the freeway. It was a piece of cake.

[DHonks]

As of 2017, PHX is 11th largest metro area. (I'm just a geek about that kind of thing.) I actually like the Chandler/Gilbert area a lot, we always stay there if not Scottsdale. Different strokes I guess, I just find Glendale/Peoria to be too generic suburbia USA..

 

looks like it's the 5th biggest city...my mistake