Prospect Insider - Spring Training Countdown: 20 days

Spring Training Countdown: 20 days

By Jason A. Churchill

By 01-23-2013

There are 20 days until pitchers and catchers report to spring training for the Seattle Mariners. That's 480-some hours, or so, depending on when you read this, 28,880 minutes, 1,728,000 seconds and probably at least one 40-man roster addition, which is likely to come in the form of a starting pitcher.

Spring training is different for everyone; some like the traditional fan experience of going to the big-league games in the sun and catching a glimpse of the stars such as Felix Hernandez in an intimate environment.

I highly recommend a different approach.

Sure, go see a big-league game or two. Check one or two out during an afternoon tilt, go to one of the few night games, if you can, and enjoy that side of spring training. But spring training is great for the following reasons:

1. The Minor League Fields
Behind the stadium at the Peoria Sports Complex sit the minor league fields. On one side, the M's minor leaguers train and play there spring games. On the other, the San Diego Padres do the same.

Go. Go see the kids. It's like walking onto a youth league field -- it's FREE, informal and you get to watch batting practice, infield practice and bullpen sessions. If you're an autograph seeker, stick around until they call it a day and head back to the clubhouse and then just walk right up to Jack Marder or Marcus Littlewood and ask them for their signature.

If you are any kind of a prospect connoisseur, trek on over to the Padres' side and check them out, too. They are about as loaded on the farm as Seattle and there is no better way to get context than to see other teams' young players, not just those in the Mariners' organization.

2. The Ballparks
PSC is pretty nice, but there are a half-dozen newer, designer ballparks in the Cactus League now that are must-see material.

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the spring home of the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks, is pretty special, as is Surprise Stadium, where the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals train, and Goodyear Ballpark, the home of the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds.

Don't forget to go see those clubs' minor leaguers, too, particularly in Surprise.

3. The personnel
Around the minor league fields you will often see scouts, general managers, former players and occasionally a current big leaguer over on the minor league side.

The scouts, from many different clubs, are scouting, the GM's are there to catch up a little bit and Ken Griffey, Jr. and Jay Buhner are often seen driving around on a golf cart.

Agents also find their way to spring complexes to see their players and mingle with lowly folk such as yours truly.

After Baseball
Most of the games, both major league and minor league, are afternoon tilts. Once baseball is done, there's plenty to do, and the area is chock full of restaurants, most within walking distance of the complex and many hotels.

I highly recommend Blu Burger, and now there is a new one right in Peoria.

Double Dip
Perhaps the second best thing about spring training is the chance for a double dip -- even triple dip.

I haven't done this for about six or seven years, but I once watched a Royals-Mariners minor league spring game in Peoria, then drove to Surprise and watched the final seven innings of the Cubs and Rangers big-league game, then had plenty of time to grab a late lunch or early dinner before driving to Maryvale Park in Phoenix to see the Brewers and Reds.

In one day I saw Billy Butler, Homer Bailey, Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, Jay Bruce, Yovani Gallardo, Adam Jones, Joey Votto, Alex Gordon and Edinson Volquez, among others.

Fun.

One additional piece of advice
If you see me there -- and you will if you look -- please feel free to say hello.

A few of you have in the past and it led to you being introduced to the agent for Indians shortstop prospect Francisco Lindor and Tigers top prospect Nick Castellanos, as well as scouts -- just in case I'm not that interesting to you!

spring-training-countdown:-20-days

Comments
The following 11 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: greentunic on 01-22-2013 23:32:16
Would love to take my wife down this year. Hope to see ya.

I'll be the one wearing a green tunic.

2. By: Jason A. Churchill on 01-23-2013 01:30:03
But how, oh how, will I be able to match up the guy wearing the green tunic with his username at Prospec... oh.

3. By: dewey on 01-23-2013 07:27:25
Good little place across from the complex called the Blue Moon to get a cold beer after the game its right in back of Hooters

4. By: marinermutt on 01-23-2013 07:43:28
Love going down to the minor league complex. Jason is right in that you can walk right up to any of the players. Normally there are 2 afternoon minor league games going on at one time. Just hop back and forth on what team you want to see.

A number of years ago I was walking down to the field and Edgar came out of the major league batting area and I got to walk down the fields with him. He batted in both games that were going on and batted every inning to get in some extra work. He kept running back and forth between fields.

5. By: spignotti on 01-23-2013 08:41:43
I agree with your suggestions - the access to the practice fields is what it's all about. Great for families too! We will be there 3/20-24. When are you there?

6. By: sexymarinersfan on 01-23-2013 09:47:48
I'm making it an annual trek every year. The Salty señorita is great after game as well. Rick Rizzs Shannon Drayer and Eric Wedge get together afterwards with ball players likes Catricala, N. Franklin, B. Ryan, interview and visit afterwards. The food and beers are reasonable and you get 1 on 1 time with practically anybody there. Last year Catricala had dinner with us for about 30 min!! All I did was ask him! Spoke with Rizzs for about an hour just talking baseball and life! It was truly a great experience.

7. By: drrew on 01-23-2013 16:27:11
Making my first visit this year, do the minor league games start before the regular Cactus League schedule, or would I just be watching practice (which I'll still prob do) if I come by the complex on the Wed or Thur before games really start?

8. By: marinermutt on 01-23-2013 17:18:25
Games normally start at 1:00 the same time the Cactus League games starts. Normally 2 games are going on at once. But batting, fielding and pitching drills start by 9:00 usually.

Bring your glove, easy to get a ball in the minor league complex.

9. By: drrew on 01-23-2013 21:22:19
marinermutt - I meant before as on the calendar. First major league game is 2/22 but I'll be in the area a couple days before, will the minor league games not start until the 22nd as well?

10. By: marinermutt on 01-24-2013 06:36:39
Minor league games don't start until almost mid March normally.

11. By: CactusFan on 01-26-2013 08:55:39
Wife and I will be there this year for the entire month, really looking forward to it. I wish the Montesary Bar just off the Padre's practice field was still open. What a great place! Watching baseball, girls volleyball, cooking burgers on the outdoor grill, cold beer, never wanted to leave !

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