Holy crap! I'm going to Surprise!

by rangerdanger on Feb 21, 2008 6:23 AM CST

One of my buddies got laid off, another one wanted to do something cool for his 30th birthday, and I was so tired of my dissertation I was about to explode--so I threw the idea out there, and all of a sudden our tickets are booked to Phoenix. Leaving next Thursdy returning Monday. I've never been, and really have no idea what to expect.

Any advice or recommendations--things to be sure see/do (especially cool on the field stuff I need to be sure and catch), in addition to anything non-baseball related (stuff to do in Phoenix) is greatly appreciated...

Additional relevant info--we're all single, right at 30, don't have a ton of money, going to want to do our fair share of drinking, and would prefer to do it where members of the opposite sex are likely to congregate. To that end, we're staying at the Embassy Suites right next to the ASU campus in Tempe. I know, it's on the other side of the city from Surprise, but we weighed the options, we're right where we need to be.

Here are a few of my specific questions...
*Is there some type of practice activity going on basically all day/every day?
*What are the best times to be there? Worst?
*Do I have to pay to get in?
*Is it basically just practice that's open to the public?
*Do they sell beer?
*How much time will I be able to spend watching the big boys as opposed to ScrubA, ScrubB, and ScrubC?
*Are the players more accessible (for pictures, etc?)

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some tips

morning practice on the back fields from about 9 am until noon, but I think they don't open the gates to the public until 10 am; stretching, running, grounders, BP, etc. the players move back and forth between stations and you will brush up against them as they do so;

getting in to the a.m. practice is free (I think...not an issue I've had to consider);

beer sold at games;

games in the afternoon on the main field (might be the Royals, depending on what day you are there) and "b" games on the back field (but not every day);

from Tempe, I would recommend that you take I-10 West all the way to Litchfield Rd. and then go north on Litchfield (about 12 miles or so) to get to the ballyard; the alternative is Grand Ave. which is a nightmare

the minor leaguers are all on the back fields; morning drills and afternoon games -- the kids are broken up into four groups (Clinton, Bakersfield, Frisco and OKC), but that doesn't really mean anything about where they are going when the season opens; usually, what happens is that the Clinton and Bakersfield rosters will stay in Surprise and play the Padres (or Mariners, or Brewers, or White Sox, etc.) low-A and high-A rosters while the double-A and triple-A rosters will travel to Peoria (or Maryvale, etc.) to play the Padres (or Mariners,etc.) double-A and triple-A rosters

by mjh on Feb 21, 2008 7:21 AM CST reply actions

Why...

is that an issue you haven't had to consider, Papa Mike?

"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."

by benmor78 on Feb 21, 2008 11:38 AM CST up reply actions

well, my little siberian gnome

because I can levitate; and in thin air, I actually fly. so in Surprise I just float in over the fence

by mjh on Feb 21, 2008 12:59 PM CST up reply actions

LOL

Greatness

"My death certificate will probably say: 'Cause of Death: World Series.'" Jamey Newberg

by boomer1 on Feb 21, 2008 1:09 PM CST up reply actions

I'm an ASU alumn

if you are going to do things other than see Rangers' baseball every day, then staying in Tempe is a good spot.

I'll let guys like MJH tell you about Surprise.

But, for Tempe check out Oregano's Pizza. It's right down the street from the Embassy Suites. It can be a long wait though, so plan ahead. There's also one in Scottsdale if you'd rather go there.

There's a good Mongolian place called YC's at McClintock and Baseline (I think).

If you want an upscale steak dinner, I highly recommend Drinkwater's City Hall in Scottsdale - you won't be disappointed.

I won't get into golf options because there are about 1,000 of them, you just gotta decide what your price range is.

If you're going to go out at night at all when you're there, I recommend Dos Gringos in Tempe, and Mickey's Hangover in Scottsdale.

by Dirk Diggler on Feb 21, 2008 8:08 AM CST reply actions

oh also

I'd highly recommend going to a couple of the other stadiums to see the Rangers like the Giants in Scottsdale, Cubs in Mesa, or A's and Angels in the Tempe area.

Since you're staying in Tempe, you could do alot more stuff if you saw them on the "road."

by Dirk Diggler on Feb 21, 2008 8:10 AM CST up reply actions

Scottsdale

Try to hit Scottsdale on the weekend - I was very impressed with the stadium & the fans (including quite a few of the opposite sex)

by drizzle on Feb 21, 2008 9:19 AM CST up reply actions

If you're looking for some nice views

Just stroll down ASU's palm walk at about noon.

by Dirk Diggler on Feb 21, 2008 9:53 AM CST up reply actions

Ask lonestarjon

i mean he is the GM of the Rangers...

by Agreen07 on Feb 21, 2008 8:56 AM CST reply actions

LonestarJon rocks!

He could very well be. They both have brilliant baseball minds.

Rumor has it that The Ahmad, HH,Brooks,and Sharky are banding together for an unprecedented showing of TROLL POWER. Watch out for the "Ahmad Squad".

by LAMuscleFag on Feb 21, 2008 1:10 PM CST up reply actions

Wow... thanks

I don't know if I'm "brilliant" though... I unfortunately have no tips on attending spring training.

If I where Jon Daniels though, I'd offer you one of Tom Hick's three parking spaces in the players lot...

"Who is the new face of the Mavs? I don't know. Is Jason Kidd the new face of the Mavs? I don't know. I don't really care..." - Michael Young

by LSJ on Feb 21, 2008 8:05 PM CST up reply actions

If you get there on Thursday

You can kick off the weekend's activities by going to the library in Tempe on Thursday night. The Library bar and grille that is. They have a live band Thursday nights called Metalhead ('80s hairband cover band) and it is a really fun show. The "librarians" serving drinks aren't bad either.

by Brandon Wilson on Feb 21, 2008 10:06 AM CST reply actions

The library is overrated

Maybe I just got used to it, but you can see fine women anywhere in Scottsdale or Tempe. There are other bars that are either more fun, or cheaper.

by Dirk Diggler on Feb 21, 2008 1:04 PM CST up reply actions

Make sure you get to the games early

because the starters won't stay in very long, at least not until the last week of spring training.

I went once and the best time to get there was right when camp opened early in the morning. The players are generally pretty busy working out and practicing, however they travel in between practice fields and they generally don't mind stopping by on their way to the next field to say hello and giving a few autographs, just don't be sleazy about meeting them.

Gig 'Em Aggies! 2010

by aggierangerfan00 on Feb 21, 2008 1:46 PM CST reply actions

What about downtown Phoenix?

Is there anything to do there?

Thanks for the tips and advice.

I can't wait to get a pic with BGL for my myspace page.

"This report of my death was an exaggeration"--Mark Twain

by rangerdanger on Feb 21, 2008 3:18 PM CST reply actions

Check out Marjle's

near the Suns' arena. That's a good place to catch a game and get a beer or two.

Phoenix's dowtown isn't all that impressive. Downtown Scottsdale is really what you want if you're looking for alot to do.

by Dirk Diggler on Feb 21, 2008 3:29 PM CST up reply actions

Alice Cooper has a pretty cool club downtown

I absolutely love this place:

http://www.rhythmroom.com/

And Char's is cool too:

http://www.charshastheblues.com/

Good music, cool people, good times.

They also have 2 casinos on the east side. And you can take a shuttle from many of the hotels. If you are a poker player, however, call ahead, b/c only one of them offers it.

Also, as Mike said, while Phoenix traffic really sucks during the day, it isn't bad at all at night, and the streets are laid out in a very easy to understand manner.

Old town Scottsdale is nice during the day, as well. Enjoy, you lucky bastard!

Rex Hudler is in demand as a motivational speaker.

by Brian Thomas on Feb 21, 2008 5:50 PM CST up reply actions