Baseball Spring Training!

[The Big D]

Wrapping up a quick trip to Sarasota , FL, with a couple friends to watch spring training baseball and warm up a bit.

Staying in Sarasota and saw two (2) Baltimore Orioles games and one (1) Pittsburgh Pirates game up the road in Bradenton. Was my first spring training trip in many years.

Some observations... Sarasota is lovely, and Ed Smith Stadium is simply gorgeous and a splendid venue to watch baseball, enjoy the sunshine, and drink beer. The weather has cooperated, too.

McKechnie Field in Bradenton is a bit less opulent but they're fixing it up rather nicely. And they truly know how to do concessions. Food and beverage service is litreally everywhere in the ball park.

All three (3) games were sellouts with only SRO tix available. That was just fine by us; we meandered about and found some great spots to watch and enjoy the atmosphere.

Took a short trip to visit the O's minor league facility yesterday. A young friend and former major leaguer is attempting to catch on with the O's. I highly recommend making that a stop. One can wander about and watch multiple young players trying their best for a chance to get to The Show. (Be careful, though, balls were flying everywhere and "heads up" was heard repeatedly.)

Do visit Smokin' Joe's if you ever find yourself in Sarasota. Cold beer and cigar friendly. Yes, one can enjoy a cigar there...indoors, too.

Going home tomorrow...but will be back.

Be safe.

 

[AirForceShooter]

Glad you enjoyed my town

AFS

 

[fat tom]

I've always wanted to make that trip. Never have.
f.t.

 

[kaaskop49]

Can't wait for Opening Day! I'm sure the clubs can't either, given the number of injuries requiring Tommy John surgeries.

Go Yanks!

 

[reddogge]

I attended an Oriole/Piratres game on 3/9 at Ed Smith Stadium. Beautiful facility and had a great time. The O's kicked butt 9-2 also. I liked the fact most of the employees are retired guys and gals like me.

My host thoughtfully got us tickets in the shade too which made it more enjoyable.

 

[P&R Fan]

You heard it here first:
The Cubs are gonna win the World Series this year.

In the words of the immortal Jack Brickhouse, "Anybody can have a bad century".
Jim

 

[zzzippper]

I've never had the pleasure. But yesterday here in Denver it felt like a spring training kind of day, like I should have the Cardinals on the radio and a cold beer.

They say the new Red Sox field is great. They call it Fenway South but it must be MUCH nicer than Fenway, which is an arm pit.

 

[gregintenn]

Sounds like a great time. We would enjoy a trip like that. I have two boys who live for baseball, and have aspirations of being there for a shot of their own one day.

Right now it's little league and high school ball. It's flying by all too fast for me.

 

[John Eilertson]

I've seen several Cactus League games (not this season) and while they're getting closer and closer to opening day, the games start to mean more. Lineups contain more regulars, batting orders are mostly figured out, pitchers have mostly decided whether or not ''new'' pitches are worth keeping, and are throwing more innings, winners and losers of games mean more, whereas the first couple weeks were just to see if anyone new were worth making regulars, and regulars worked on timing and hurlers on getting their rhythm down. Ballgames mean a bit more, tho' of course none will change whatever happens once the season begins. But spring is a time for change in us all, whether it be our attitudes or our outlooks. We get the drudgery of winter out of our systems and prepare to take on our individual seasons, or problems. And we try to set our lineups in a way that will suit ourselves and others.