Spring Training: Dodgers versus Rockies

Another sunny day in Phoenix. Another day in the low 80′s. Another day in which the water parks and public pools are closed because it is “winter” time. Another day that leaves me confused as to why I don’t live here. I really need to visit in July to remind myself why.

Today I followed the Rockies to Camelback Ranch to watch them play the Los Angeles Dodgers. I had never been to Camelback and I believe it is the park that gave the Rockies and Diamondbacks the idea for Salt River. At least that is what it looks like. There are many similarities between the two facilities. The landscaping is beautiful and when standing behind home plate each team (the Dodgers share the complex with the Chicago White Sox) has a building that probably houses their front office staff, gym, training facilities, etc)

He obviously gets his picture skills from his papa

In the end, however, today wasn’t as much about baseball to me as it was a day to spend some time at the ballpark with my son. He just turned three in February and I don’t expect him to really know what’s going on but spending time at the park with my boy (and the golf course) is something I really look forward to.

We arrived at the park and while we were waiting in line for tickets he had to go potty. Thankfully the staff was nice enough to let us in so he could do his business. When we came back out there were only four ticket windows and the line was a good 15-20 minutes when we got in line. By the time we had our tickets the line had to be closer to 40-45 minutes. I cannot understand the thinking behind so few ticket windows at the front of the ballpark? There were more windows by the practice fields but the way the parking is configured it leads you right to the front gate and the four lonely windows. At the very least the team should have people out front informing the crowd that if they want to walk around to the back of the park that there was not any line at all.

Once inside I realized I planned plenty well as we were 30 minutes ahead of first pitch. We walked around to the practice fields hoping to catch some minor leaguers still working but were not so lucky; the fields were empty. We decided the best way to pass time was to move sand from one side of the walkway to the other. Very productive.

The line at the main entrance to get tickets

When we walked back into the main stadium the Rockies had trickled into the park and I immediately saw Eric Young Jr. and just knew I would get to see him playing the outfield for the second game in a row. This time he was playing left because Charlie Blackmon was in center and I am still at a loss why the Rox want EY2 in the OF. If there isn’t a spot for him at second base there isn’t a spot for him on this team.

No Troy Tulowitzki or Carlos Gonzalez, either. No Todd Helton, Marco Scutaro, Wilin Rosario, Dexter Fowler or Michael Cuddyer. When the lineup was announced and it began with EY2 and Jonathan Herrera batting 1 and 2 I almost asked for a refund. The only redeeming factor was that Nolan Arenado and Drew Pomeranz were on the field. It was a pathetic lineup for the Rockies that included Tyler Colvin and Chris Nelson to spice it up…

In the two innings that Pomeranz pitched he breezed through the Dodgers lineup without allowing a base runner and striking out two. Unfortunately he left after two with what is being called a “tight hip”. Only in baseball does someone leave a game with a “tight hip”. If it’s tight why not do some lunges or air squats to loosen it up? If this is almost any other sport the player doesn’t even bring up the issue, but in baseball Pomeranz probably has a few days off now.

Once Pomeranz was out of the game there wasn’t a lot for me to hang out and watch. Andre Ethier did make a fantastic catch right in front of me and my boy, so that was cool. Otherwise I spent one inning doing my best to keep mango slushy off of my son’s clothes and another half inning chasing him around the concourse.

I didn’t get to watch a lot of baseball today but it was still one of the best games I have ever been to. I am hoping my son grows to love baseball like I do because spending a day at the yard sounds about as good as it gets.

I did get a video of Chris Capuano playing a little long toss before the game began. He isn’t no Trevor Bauer (who reportedly was throwing foul pole to foul pole before his first appearance this spring) because he was bouncing the ball from right center to the foul line, but it is always cool to watch long toss, I think.

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