I’m extremely blessed to spend a few days in Phoenix watching baseball with my dad each year. Last week we caught three games across three venues. Here’s a recap of the trip with a few tips in case you’re heading out there in the future.
Day One: White Sox at Giants
After landing and checking into our AirBnB we took an Uber to the Rusty Spur Saloon in Old Town Scottsdale. The song “I Love This Bar” could be written about this place and the guy who plays there sings it occasionally. Tons of jerseys were worn by patrons including several SF fans as usual. From there it was a quick golf cart ride to the ballpark.
Scottsdale Stadium is a great venue. I love the look of brick and the grandstand is small enough to still say “Spring Training.” We got there early and walked around the park. I ordered a giant Italian Sausage and my dad got the giant hot dog. We could’ve split either and been fine. The Giants have added a new party pavilion behind the berm in left field and completed the patio along the right field line since I last went. Both offer shade, drinks, and a decent view of the game.
The Giants Foundation was doing a mystery ball fundraiser and I plopped down my $65, grabbed a sealed bag, and pulled a Matt Chapman autographed ball. Solid win.
As far as the game, Verlander looked ready to start the season, Chapman hit two bombs, and Jung Hoo Lee added another bomb. Lee can cover some serious ground in centerfield and I hope he has a good career.
Day Two: Guardians at A’s
HoHoKam is our favorite little park and is always a great time. The fans are great, it is rarely crowded, and the entire setup is just a blast. Normally the covered patios down the lines are for shade but on this day they kept us (mostly) out of the rain. 47 degrees is easily the coldest game I’ve ever attended and the rain and wind didn’t help. But, it was the only Cactus League game to go a full 9 innings that day, although Pops and I left after 7. It was freaking cold.
Prior to the game we waited out the rain in Downtown Mesa. This was our first time in that area and I agree with Rex that it is highly underrated. There are plenty of cool places to hang out and it isn’t nearly as crowded as Mill Ave in Tempe or Old Town Scottsdale. If going to an A’s or Cubs game, consider pregaming there.
Cleveland was teeing off on the A’s starter. They hit 4 home runs in the first few innings and even the outs were loud. As the numbers on the jerseys grew so did the score and ultimately Cleveland prevailed by 2 or 3. Personal highlight was seeing Travis Bazzana take a few at bats for Cleveland.
Day Three: Angels at Brewers
Perfect weather, perfect game, perfect day. If you want to know why I so love Spring Training it is days like this: day game with my dad, sun out, chatting with some Angels and watching them play.
We got to the game early so we could walk the back fields. Maryvale Ballpark has revamped their back fields and restricted some areas so we headed into the main park just in time to see the Angels arrive. Players walk down a staircase to the field and fans line each side of the area for autographs and pictures. This is what makes Spring Training so different than the regular season.
Nolan Schanuel signed for a ton of kids. He slowly worked his way down each side of the staircase and easily spent 15 to 20 minutes signing and chatting away. Jose Quijada joked with fans in Spanish and threw a kid next to me a ball. He later went up the staircase and signed a few items. One kid tossed him a cell phone to sign, which elicited a surprised look from Quijada and laughs from the crowd.
J.D. Davis was having fun with fans and took the picture below with me after signing for some nearby kids. He was very accommodating and later hit a massive bomb to centerfield. I attribute it to the good juju from our interaction, ha ha.
We watched Logan O’Hoppe prepare in the bullpen. He is one seriously strong guy who pays attention to every detail in a pretty long warmup process. Tyler Anderson stepped in to complete his warmup and we watched him as well. It is amazing how fast a “slow” MLB fastball is up close.
Christian Moore is the largest framed second baseman I’ve ever seen. Kid is tall and built like a serous all around athlete. Thick framed but all muscle. He also has really nice bat speed. If you didn’t know it, you’d think he was a corner outfielder.
Jo Adell hit an absolute moonshot and it is really apparent live how much his revamped swing helps him keep his head still. His head no longer bobs, giving him a look at the ball all the way to the plate. But his front leg is still extended at impact and his hip rotation is both quick and powerful. It is very easy to dream on this new Jo Adell.
Ryan Johnson’s delivery is a trip to see live. I can’t say I’ve seen a good comp but Jimmy Herget on fast forward isn’t far off. Tim Anderson still has serious wheels. He flew out of the box on his single. Kyren Paris new swing is violent, but when it connects it is violent. I’m curious to see how it works as pitchers mix in more breaking pitches.
Overall, the only negative I can come up with is the concession stand was out of bratwurst by the time I wanted one but that’s on me. Those things are great and the next two people in line behind me also ordered them. To be fair, I could have waited a few minutes but I have no patience and took the hotdog.
So, all in all, I caught three games with my dad, picked up a Matt Chapman autographed baseball, met an Angel, and probably add 20 points to my cholesterol score. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Just read the trip report, A+. Would love to drive out and visit some ballparks some day.. Great day 1 snagging the Chapman signed ball and watching him hit some bombs. Angels could use a player like him. Maybe a bit overpaid but he brings it everyday, on and off the field. I am excited to see what a full season of Lee bring.
Classic trip with the classic parks, not the mega complexes – glad you had fun! Three ballparks, six teams three days and all within a 15 mile radius.
I don’t think I’ve ever sung the praises of Downtown Mesa here lol but yeah it’s a cool spot too. Gilbert is known as the east valley city with the best downtown and maybe thinking of that.
Mesa is great! population is higher than Atlanta and Pittsburgh 🤯
I probably was thinking of Gilbert. We only headed to downtown Mesa because we didn’t feel like getting rained on in the parking lot. We ended up at Margarita’s where it was warm and cozy.
Glad you were able to catch some games and spend time with your father. My father took my older brother and I to game about once a season, usually for bat or helmet day. I don’t recall much of those games, but I do remember him telling us not to root for a “damn New York team”. Words I carry forth to this day.
JJ’s 2025 Spring Training Adventures
I’m extremely blessed to spend a few days in Phoenix watching baseball with my dad each year. Last week we caught three games across three venues. Here’s a recap of the trip with a few tips in case you’re heading out there in the future.
Day One: White Sox at Giants
After landing and checking into our AirBnB we took an Uber to the Rusty Spur Saloon in Old Town Scottsdale. The song “I Love This Bar” could be written about this place and the guy who plays there sings it occasionally. Tons of jerseys were worn by patrons including several SF fans as usual. From there it was a quick golf cart ride to the ballpark.
Scottsdale Stadium is a great venue. I love the look of brick and the grandstand is small enough to still say “Spring Training.” We got there early and walked around the park. I ordered a giant Italian Sausage and my dad got the giant hot dog. We could’ve split either and been fine. The Giants have added a new party pavilion behind the berm in left field and completed the patio along the right field line since I last went. Both offer shade, drinks, and a decent view of the game.
The Giants Foundation was doing a mystery ball fundraiser and I plopped down my $65, grabbed a sealed bag, and pulled a Matt Chapman autographed ball. Solid win.
As far as the game, Verlander looked ready to start the season, Chapman hit two bombs, and Jung Hoo Lee added another bomb. Lee can cover some serious ground in centerfield and I hope he has a good career.
Day Two: Guardians at A’s
HoHoKam is our favorite little park and is always a great time. The fans are great, it is rarely crowded, and the entire setup is just a blast. Normally the covered patios down the lines are for shade but on this day they kept us (mostly) out of the rain. 47 degrees is easily the coldest game I’ve ever attended and the rain and wind didn’t help. But, it was the only Cactus League game to go a full 9 innings that day, although Pops and I left after 7. It was freaking cold.
Prior to the game we waited out the rain in Downtown Mesa. This was our first time in that area and I agree with Rex that it is highly underrated. There are plenty of cool places to hang out and it isn’t nearly as crowded as Mill Ave in Tempe or Old Town Scottsdale. If going to an A’s or Cubs game, consider pregaming there.
Cleveland was teeing off on the A’s starter. They hit 4 home runs in the first few innings and even the outs were loud. As the numbers on the jerseys grew so did the score and ultimately Cleveland prevailed by 2 or 3. Personal highlight was seeing Travis Bazzana take a few at bats for Cleveland.
Day Three: Angels at Brewers
Perfect weather, perfect game, perfect day. If you want to know why I so love Spring Training it is days like this: day game with my dad, sun out, chatting with some Angels and watching them play.
We got to the game early so we could walk the back fields. Maryvale Ballpark has revamped their back fields and restricted some areas so we headed into the main park just in time to see the Angels arrive. Players walk down a staircase to the field and fans line each side of the area for autographs and pictures. This is what makes Spring Training so different than the regular season.
Nolan Schanuel signed for a ton of kids. He slowly worked his way down each side of the staircase and easily spent 15 to 20 minutes signing and chatting away. Jose Quijada joked with fans in Spanish and threw a kid next to me a ball. He later went up the staircase and signed a few items. One kid tossed him a cell phone to sign, which elicited a surprised look from Quijada and laughs from the crowd.
J.D. Davis was having fun with fans and took the picture below with me after signing for some nearby kids. He was very accommodating and later hit a massive bomb to centerfield. I attribute it to the good juju from our interaction, ha ha.
We watched Logan O’Hoppe prepare in the bullpen. He is one seriously strong guy who pays attention to every detail in a pretty long warmup process. Tyler Anderson stepped in to complete his warmup and we watched him as well. It is amazing how fast a “slow” MLB fastball is up close.
Christian Moore is the largest framed second baseman I’ve ever seen. Kid is tall and built like a serous all around athlete. Thick framed but all muscle. He also has really nice bat speed. If you didn’t know it, you’d think he was a corner outfielder.
Jo Adell hit an absolute moonshot and it is really apparent live how much his revamped swing helps him keep his head still. His head no longer bobs, giving him a look at the ball all the way to the plate. But his front leg is still extended at impact and his hip rotation is both quick and powerful. It is very easy to dream on this new Jo Adell.
Ryan Johnson’s delivery is a trip to see live. I can’t say I’ve seen a good comp but Jimmy Herget on fast forward isn’t far off. Tim Anderson still has serious wheels. He flew out of the box on his single. Kyren Paris new swing is violent, but when it connects it is violent. I’m curious to see how it works as pitchers mix in more breaking pitches.
Overall, the only negative I can come up with is the concession stand was out of bratwurst by the time I wanted one but that’s on me. Those things are great and the next two people in line behind me also ordered them. To be fair, I could have waited a few minutes but I have no patience and took the hotdog.
So, all in all, I caught three games with my dad, picked up a Matt Chapman autographed baseball, met an Angel, and probably add 20 points to my cholesterol score. It doesn’t get any better than that.