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| - This is the home of the A's during Spring Training. The stadium itself turned 30 this year, but there are a few things that have been renovated, and a few things that have not. Let me start with parking- I got there a few minutes late, and that was a huge no-no. Especially on opening day. When I say I parked in the absolute furthest corner of the lot, I wasn't kidding. A guy even offered my buddy and I a rickshaw ride to the stadium. I told him thanks, but I knew it would have killed him (thats like hauling 500+lbs across a huge ass lot). This helped out near the end, as an exit was readily available (thank God!).
On my way to Phoenix, I had the pleasure to sit next to a beautiful woman who ended up apparently being a GF of a SP for the A's, this intrigued me. I told her I would wear a Lin jersey and an A's hat, and wear them to their first two games. Should be easy to find. I guess I wasn't easy enough to find?! I was still intrigued now to watch the A's (she reminded me they picked up Coco Crisp and Manny Ramirez, 2 classics).
I have no idea how, but I somehow managed to get 2 tickets via ticketmaster the morning of the game, 6 rows behind home plate, on the aisle. This was awesome, since we sat next to tons of scouts (thanks for the radar reading!).
This was also the game that Manny Ramirez debuted in an A's outfit- too bad he hit a groundball out (and then I think he disappeared, or maybe that was me). He is one of my fav's of this era.
The actual park is smaller than most, and it shows. No outfield seats (just ads and ads and ads) or lawn, so that kind of sucked in terms of confinement around the park (but like I said, it is 30 years old). The seats were bearable, even with all of the crap the scouts had (aka their bags and such).
It's a nice ballpark, but I think they should consider putting a lawn in the outfield if they would like more of a crowd- they have the space to do it!
I do love how the beer is much cheaper in AZ than it is in elsewhere (ONLY $8 for a 24ozbeer) for games... I usually have to get a 2nd mortgage to get a beer in GA!
If you still have the energy after the game, the Zoo and Botanical Garden are literally down the street. even 2 parks- great way for a fun day!
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