574. Go to a Brewer’s Spring Training Game

Both the hubby and I wanted to go to Brewer's Spring Training for awhile now. I've been to Braves spring training once but never out to Arizona for Brewers Spring Training. We decided this was the year we were going to go. We planned, scrimped, and saved to make this trip possible and it was totally worth it. 

The home for Brewers Spring Training is Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix. The Brewers are the only team in Phoenix proper. Maryvale is not in a great neighbor and there is not much around the ball park. It's not that it's unsafe but like any big city it has it's own less than ideal spots that you'd want to be after dark. 

Maryvale Baseball Park is comprised of 8 practice fields, batting cages, clubhouses for both the major and minor league camps and the Major League Diamond where the Brewers play their games. Parking is plentiful and only $5. Depending on how early you get there depends on how close you park. We got there at least two or three hours before game times and we had front row parking. 

You are probably wondering what we are doing at the ball park three hours before game time. No we didn't tailgate. We checked out the minor league games going on, watched batting and fielding practice. We mingled with players and coaches in a relaxed atmosphere. The only thing we didn't do was get any autographs. 

We actually saw two Brewer games in Maryvale. The first day we had seats in the second row by the visitor's dugout. These were great seats once the game started. Before the game I REALLY hated our seats because the autograph seekers crowded in the aisle and the first row that I was getting annoyed with the amount of people. They did get a few autographs but waiting around for a chance of a signature was not my idea of fun. 

Once the game started we had a great view of the game. No foul balls did come our way but it is such a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Ryan Braun was probably a 100 yards or so from us on first base. It was like being at the T-Rats game.

The second day we partook in a bigger tradition at Spring Training and actually bought grass seats. This is one of the things I wanted to do. Grab a blanket and lounge in the outfield hoping to snag a home run ball. It was a HOT day but it we found a spot in the shade and was able to stay relatively cool. It was quite a different prospective to sit on the hill and watch baseball. I would probably not do it again just because it's not all that comfortable.

My only compliant about Brewers Spring Training was the lack of food options. Maryvale really didn't have a huge selection of food. However, the did have the designation driver program and we got full sized sodas or bottled water so that was a win. Hopefully next when after the stadium remodel, the food selection improves.

We loved Brewers Spring Training. We want to go back next year just a week earlier. It's relaxed, it's fun, and it's a break from Wisconsin in March. I can't wait til we go back.