Brewers spring training advise needed

[BillyRed]

My 13 year son and I are thinking of going to spring training for a long weekend. Anyone have any must do's, must see's, etc?

 

Any advise on lodging, restaurants, etc? Planning to see the Brewers on Friday March 14 in Peoria, Saturday in Maryvale, and Sunday back in Peoria.

[SZBrewerFan]

Billy,

 

If your son is into getting autographs make a day of it at Maryvale. Get there about 3 hours before the game and watch the young guys work on the outer fields. The players are pretty good about signing while going in between the fields. A lot of times they also play intersquad games on the back fields with many of the minor league players. Its a lot of fun and very laid back.

[southpaw121505]

Definitely go to Maryvale early like SZ said above. Great opportunity see all the guys warm up, talk to some of them, try and get autographs. I almost got Braun and Hart. Hart was over there forever and I just missed him. Maybe that's a good thing though, considering every guy I got an autograph from did not finish the year with the team.

[packfan79]

The area around Maryvale isn't the greatest from what I can remember. We stayed in Scottsdale and it was a pretty short drive to the Brewers complex.

[sgtcluels]

Anyone have good advice where to stay? Few friends and i are thinking about doing spring training, we are feinding for some baseball.

[southpaw121505]

Tempe is pretty nice. But yeah, the complex is really nice, but the neighborhood is not the greatest. You might be better off staying in Tempe or Scottsdale and making the drive which is not all that bad. That bruise on my arm (my avatar) happened in Phoenix last year.

[jason21nl]

I stayed in Tempe a couple years ago. The drive to the field was easy, the drive back took a long time.

[sauveb]

I stay in Scottsdale right near Scottsdale Stadium. The drive is a piece of cake and there is plenty to do at night.

[Kevbo74]

Glendale would be alot closer, especially if you are hitting games in Peoria. Since the new football stadium was built in Glendale, there's alot of nice hotels around there. PLUS, and a big plus, is that you won't have to deal with I-10 traffic. It can be an easy commute early in the day, but after 3:30, forget about it! Scottsdale is great for shopping and hitting the clubs, but if you're going with your son, you won't be missing alot skipping that side of town.

The Maryvale community certainly isn't a place you want to hang out in, but during the day, and especially at the park, you might not even notice it. Just don't spend time there after dark. My dad even got his car shot up in that neighborhood, but again, that was nighttime.

However, Maryvale park is probably the absolute best park to meet players and get autographs. Early on the players are easily accessible for warmups, and during the game, there's always action between the right field corner and the clubhouse. The list of players I didn't get is alot shorter than the list of players I did get. I mean, even Mark Attanasio and Doug Melvin are walking around shaking hands.

I live in Phoenix, so when you find out where you're staying, let me know. I'll find some decent attractions/restaurants/etc..

[BillyRed]

I appreciate everyone's thoughts. I have booked a hotel right near the Cardinals stadium in Glendale. Looking forward to the trip. Spring training is something I've always wanted to do since I was a kid.

[jon12272]

I usually stay in Chandler when I am down in AZ. But that also has to do with the fact that when I am down there I am there for work purposes. Going to ST games is just a added plus. Also I have a lot of friends in the Chandler area. Maryvale is kind of a rough looking area, but I have never had any problems down there. The Glendale area is pretty nice even with the shinny UFO that is the Cardinal's new stadium. Peroia has a nice complex that houses both the Mariners and Padres. Might not be a bad idea to go there a little early also....

[parkside21]

We stayed at the Mainstay Suites in Glendale, right off Black Canyon Highway. It was great, they were "efficiency suites", which means they came with a full size fridge, small stove, microwave and pots and plates and such. Our room had a king size bed, along with a pull out couch and some other small furniture too. The pool was small, but adequate, being from Wisconsin, I just got a kick out of swimming outside at 8 in the morning in March. It was really reasonable too, we paid 119 a night (I think...maybe 129 for two of the weekend nights), which was way cheaper than the 150 we were being quoted for just your basic Super 8 motel. Hotels are expensive in the area.

 

As someone said, Glendale is a great location, and right in the middle of things if you want to check out the Cardinals stadium or catch a Coyotes game. I second going to the park early, especially if you're bringing a kid. It took us about 15 mins to get to Maryvale from our location in Glendale, but the previous posters are right, since the games get out around 4-ish, getting to where you're going after the game is a pain, but hey, you're on vacation, you're in no rush anyways, right? I guess if you're going during the weekend though there will be traffic everywhere, but oh well.

 

I loved Maryvale, but if I'm being objective, Peoria was my favorite park to see, it was absolutely beautiful. I'm guessing you're taking in a Padres or Mariners game? I think they share the stadium....

 

We had so much fun last year, now I wish I could go every year!

 

Have fun

[SeriesFinale]

I'm going for the first time ever this year, flying down on Saturday morning and back Sunday evening. Really, I just want to catch the games: we don't have kids, I don't care about autographs, and growing up in Florida I've already soaked up a childhood's worth of Spring Training atmosphere. Looking forward to it all the same.

 

Anyway, my question is what to do Saturday night? Is there a place where folks from the Brewers' organization go for a tipple?