Going to Spring Training as a fan

[Jake]

I live nowhere close to where the Sox play, so in scheming some dates to fly out to see the Sox play this season, I thought maybe going to Spring Training would be interesting. That said, I've never done anything like that so I'm not sure what it's like. I'd be going in the second week of March. I'd be taking my wife, who has become Sox-crazed as of late. Can anyone share experiences, suggestions, etc.? Obviously the games themselves would only be a part of the appeal. And if you ever went and thought it wasn't worth it, I'd like to hear that too.

[oldsox]

Not worth it, IMO.

[WestEddy]

1 hour ago, Jake said:

I live nowhere close to where the Sox play, so in scheming some dates to fly out to see the Sox play this season, I thought maybe going to Spring Training would be interesting. That said, I've never done anything like that so I'm not sure what it's like. I'd be going in the second week of March. I'd be taking my wife, who has become Sox-crazed as of late. Can anyone share experiences, suggestions, etc.? Obviously the games themselves would only be a part of the appeal. And if you ever went and thought it wasn't worth it, I'd like to hear that too.

The games are great, flying out of the 20 degrees and snow into 70 and sunny. Starters only play 1/3 to half of the game, then it's all minor leaguers, which is very cool if you follow that. I had found that the games are expensive, now. Everybody else draws better than the Sox. You can watch out for morning games at team complexes. The paper used to give hints at that. Maybe call the team to see if there's a free minor league game in the morning? 

Players are more available for autographs, and stuff. I've never had the time to do the backfields stuff. 

[kitekrazy]

1 hour ago, oldsox said:

Not worth it, IMO.

So true.  I could stand on my roof and see the Ranch but prices are ridiculous.

Ticket prices are not universal.  You could go to a game to see them play another team that is equally bad.

Check out the prices for Dodger games.  My luck I would spend $$$ hoping to see Ohtani but he would have a game off.

[Falstaff]

1 hour ago, Jake said:

I live nowhere close to where the Sox play, so in scheming some dates to fly out to see the Sox play this season, I thought maybe going to Spring Training would be interesting. That said, I've never done anything like that so I'm not sure what it's like. I'd be going in the second week of March. I'd be taking my wife, who has become Sox-crazed as of late. Can anyone share experiences, suggestions, etc.? Obviously the games themselves would only be a part of the appeal. And if you ever went and thought it wasn't worth it, I'd like to hear that too.

If you have never been to Spring Training, I would suggest going it's a good time. The one thing that was really expensive was renting a car so unless they have lowered the prices be prepared to get hit with all sorts of fees. Camelback Park is also a must see, you can roam around the complex before the game. I would suggest that you go to a Sox game at other parks, there are some beautiful parks that are worth seeing. 

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

2 hours ago, Jake said:

I live nowhere close to where the Sox play, so in scheming some dates to fly out to see the Sox play this season, I thought maybe going to Spring Training would be interesting. That said, I've never done anything like that so I'm not sure what it's like. I'd be going in the second week of March. I'd be taking my wife, who has become Sox-crazed as of late. Can anyone share experiences, suggestions, etc.? Obviously the games themselves would only be a part of the appeal. And if you ever went and thought it wasn't worth it, I'd like to hear that too.

https://allchgo.com/join/

They are planning an event to go to ST with a Bulls game in Phoenix as part of the package.. Might be better to with a group with an itinerary and like minded Sox fans. 

If you have never watched the CHGO podcasts they are a part of All City Network and sports in multiple cities . In Chicago they cover, the all major teams and have podcasts of each one. The Bears get tons of coverage the Sox not much.Future Sox guys like Soxtalks James Fox and others from the Futute Sox podcasts have been on the CHGO Sox podcasts. 

You would probably need to become a Diehard Member of the Network to get a discount on the trip. Sometimes they have specials on becoming a Diehard Member . The All City Network relies on Memberships and Chat donations to support all the things they do . When the Bears went to England they had group outing for that. They have events in local establishments so being a Diehard Members works better for people in the Chicagoland area. But I dont think that means you would be excluded from event trips. It just might change the cost. I cant really tell you how it works because being in Ca. I've not given much thought to becoming a Diehard Member  so thats why I gave you the link. So if that sounds interesting you have a month to figure it out. Maybe look up CHGO White Sox podcasts on youtube and watch some recent ones . I think they advertise the ST trip on the Sox podcast .I subdcribr to most Sox and FutureSox podcasts. It helps keep me informed and most are forward looking and not hyper critical .Good luck. 

Edit : Unsure if your dates coincide with the CHGO trip . 

Edited 19 hours ago by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

[Buehrle>Wood]

I absolutely loved it when I went. Went to some other stadiums too which aren't all too far. The game is a mere distraction but its awesome just walking around or sitting in the outfield grass.

[southsider2k5]

This is one of my bucket list things to do.  Going to move it on the soon list once this team is worth paying to see again.

[chitownsportsfan]

2 hours ago, oldsox said:

Not worth it, IMO.

Why? Biggest expense would probably be renting a car or ubers. So say 300 for a 5 day trip. Lodging is cheap down there, can get a place in Tempe for $100 a night or so that's decent. So 500 there. Flight maybe a couple hundred so about 1K plus your tickets and other expenses. Obviously this is cheaper if you're splitting things with a friend or whoever. 

Tickets are usually like 10-30 bucks and after the first couple innings nobody is checking stubs, can move right behind the plate if you want. 

The games are whatever but seeing guys warm up, work on the back fields, work with coaches, being around all the other fans in great weather -- that stuff is totally worth it. The weather in early March down there is just about perfect, usually mid 70s with good but not overbearing sun. Nights can get a bit chilly but usually no worse than low 50s. 

[southsider2k5]

8 minutes ago, chitownsportsfan said:

Why? Biggest expense would probably be renting a car or ubers. So say 300 for a 5 day trip. Lodging is cheap down there, can get a place in Tempe for $100 a night or so that's decent. So 500 there. Flight maybe a couple hundred so about 1K plus your tickets and other expenses. Obviously this is cheaper if you're splitting things with a friend or whoever. 

Tickets are usually like 10-30 bucks and after the first couple innings nobody is checking stubs, can move right behind the plate if you want. 

The games are whatever but seeing guys warm up, work on the back fields, work with coaches, being around all the other fans in great weather -- that stuff is totally worth it. The weather in early March down there is just about perfect, usually mid 70s with good but not overbearing sun. Nights can get a bit chilly but usually no worse than low 50s. 

Agreed.  Every single person I have talked to about going to spring training describes it as one of the ultimate experiences for huge baseball fans.

[chitownsportsfan]

6 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Agreed.  Every single person I have talked to about going to spring training describes it as one of the ultimate experiences for huge baseball fans.

It's fun. You get to escape the last blast of winter and go hang out with a bunch of fellow baseball fans in the sun. I've been a few times, latest was 2019. I might go down for a few days this year, still working on planning something around that area in March. They have a bunch of kid friendly stuff at most the parks as well, they do a good job with it overall and it's a big month tourist wise so all the places are geared up and ready.

[Quin]

I disagree with the above and say its super worth it.

Granted, my parents moved out there 9 years ago, but the stadiums are fun to walk around. You can go see minor league games in the backfields - sometimes you'll run into scouts or FO personnel. I was talking to Kenny one year while watching a backfield game.

Bring a camera and move around - unless you're going to a Dodgers game, it isn't packed and tickets shouldn't be pricey. Go check out other stadiums. 

One thing you should absolutely do: Do a pre-dawn hike (or drive up a mountain - there are a few where you can drive like 90% of the hike) and catch a sunrise overlooking Phoenix.

 

[Quin]

Camelback is also fun cause you can get a Dodger Dog dressed up like a Chicago hot dog.

[TheBooneLoganEra]

Its a great time. Get there early in the morning and wander around the complex for their early workouts. Very relaxed and casual. Have some coffee enjoy the sun. Hit a game or two, mix up some different parks. Lot of great restaurants in Glendale. Definitely worth an extended weekend in my opinion. We do it every couple years.

[wegner]

Went a few years ago as part of a trip to visit people in Arizona. Went to the Sox-Cubs game on St Patricks day and as a bonus Nancy Faust was on the organ. The weather that time of year was perfect for me in the upper 70's. Just watching a game live after a long winter was perfect. Game ended in a tie. I thought It was great fun. To echo what someone else said, I stayed in Tempe near the university and the hotel rates there were not bad at all.

[kitekrazy]

5 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

Agreed.  Every single person I have talked to about going to spring training describes it as one of the ultimate experiences for huge baseball fans.

I enjoy the Fall League much more.   

Surprise is my favorite stadium.  

[Sleepy Harold]

I've been out twice for Spring Training and twice for the AFL and loved it each time, but I've got that sicko in me. Tix are generally pretty cheap (can find good deals on secondary day of) unless you're trying to see Cubs/Dodgers games. 

[CWSpalehoseCWS]

I went back in 2010 - did a spur of the moment cross-country drive with my dad for 48 hrs and it was a lot of fun. We caught a night game and day game and spent some time on the backfields before the night game. I am a memorabilia guy, so I did get some autographs from various players. The best part about the backfields was Mark Buehrle randomly showed up in a golf cart and I got to talk to him for a solid 5-10 minutes. He was super nice and signed a bunch of baseballs for me. That was a long time ago, so I'm sure things have changed since then, but I would go again if I had the opportunity.

[Middle Buffalo]

Everybody is correct. It’s both not worth it and something you should do if you have the time.

Tickets can be expensive. Used to be able to get them dirt cheap (I got 3 tickets to a game a few years ago for $12 total). I haven’t had as much luck lately. I’d still wait to buy tickets and see if anything cheap shows up on the secondary market. Sox are not a big draw.

Concessions are the same as a real game. That’s the real killer.

Atmosphere is relaxed, and you can get pretty close to the players who are generally good about signing autographs if that’s your thing. Lots of times there will be some old timers signing on the concourse.

Sox and Dodgers share a stadium on far west side. Unless it’s changed in the last year, parking is free. It’s a nice stadium, but it’s a haul if you’re staying in Scottsdale or Tempe

Buy a cheap ticket and move around. The ushers don’t care in my experience. Only Cubs and Dodgers games are likely to be packed. Even if the Sox are playing an away game, only the Cubs game at their park is likely to be hard to get tickets to.

Weather can be a little unpredictable. It may get surprisingly cold or be unseasonably hot. Tickets on first base side will get some shade as the game goes on. Sitting higher up (closer to the concourse) is not bad if you want to be assured of some shade. Third base side is in the sun

I’d recommend going if you’ve never been. You decide if it’s something you’d do a second time.

[GreenSox]

Sounds like a blast.  I’ll probably call it a career soon, so I’ll have the time.  Tooling around and seeing other teams, not just the Sox, appeals to me too.

[chitownsportsfan]

1 hour ago, Middle Buffalo said:

Everybody is correct. It’s both not worth it and something you should do if you have the time.

 

I’d recommend going if you’ve never been. You decide if it’s something you’d do a second time.

Agree with a lot of this. IMO Phoenix metro is very drivable but some people don't like driving on vacation, which I get. It is a bit of a haul to get to he various parks. Frankly I would just drink in the parking lot at most of the parks if you want to get a buzz and save some money. It's cheap AF in general to go out down there imo. 

Weather eh, I've had some rainy high 50s and it still felt quite nice the sun is high enough to get out of SAD type conditions even overcast. IMO Late March weather can scorch ya and along those lines I'd recommend the first week of march as by the end quite a few regulars are sitting, especially this year with the WBC, hell might even need to go earlier.

Tempe is a late winter early spring place to hang, even for older people. I recommend Pedal Haus for great beer, Daily Jam for people watching and a decently quick breakfast, society is a fancyish place for drinks and italian, and finally Sumo Mayo in Scottsdale for a great upscaleish fusion japanese mexican dinner. You can see the escorts line up at the bar on a busy saturday night as you enjoy some prime rib avocado rolls.