On business in Arizona to watch some baseball at the Spring Training home of future and former Loons, From the Nest will try to shed some light on this random assortment of behind-the-scenes photos. For more hard-hitting and word-based coverage of the trip, be sure to check out the exclusive Loons Spring Training Bundle over on Loons.com.
First things first. The Loon Unit (consisting of GM Paul Barbeau; his wife, Shauna; Loons VP of Facilities & Operations, Matt McQuaid; and myself) arrived at the Phoenix airport Thursday afternoon, March 8. After carefully shrugging off Fiats for Altimas, we all stepped outside for that first breath of Arizona air. The palms welcomed us from above.
This is the photo that came after ripping into one of the two Dodgers swag bags waiting for Matt and me in the hotel room. The beach towel and hoodie (top left) are especially fly, while the back-pack and other totes became return gifts to my coworkers. More here.
The only other time I’ve been to Phoenix was in the year 2000 to cheer on my then-favorite hockey team: the Phoenix Coyotes. Almost 13 years later I returned to see their new home, Jobing.com Arena, buried within the impressive Westgate City Center. For great panoramas of the recreation area, see here and here. Food tip: try the Baja sushi rolls at Kabuki. So good.
Making his way out of my swag bag to the Altima’s dash was little Kersh. Here he poses, trying not to be outdone by the University of Phoenix Stadium behind him. The stadium is apparently called many things by the locals, from ‘spaceship’ to ‘toaster’.
Finally I got to Camelback Ranch. It sure was nice to see green grass again. Here are some minor league players receiving infield instruction on the short field. Right field, not pictured, actually turns into the batting cages and minor league workout facility.
Here is the featured field at Camelback Ranch prior to gates opening for the 1:00PM game. For a video pan of what it looks like when it’s full, click here.
Back on the minor league end of the complex sit these bleachers behind home plate at the two fields they use for intrasquad games. I originally thought these bleachers were for Spring Training fans until I saw them labeled ‘outfielders’ and such. Then during the intrasquad game, it became apparent these were schooling bleachers.
Changing gears now to media-themed photos. The above photo is an elaborate set-up by the Dodgers production crew that puts my FlipCam to shame. Below is me (Face time! This rarely happens.) sitting in the minor league player cafeteria, well after hours, before I threw on a collared shirt for a live correspondence with WNEM TV5 back home.
Before leaving the cafeteria, this sign caught my eye.
As if the dream of one day being a major league ball player wasn’t enough, there’s always that chance they re-up the Mountain Berry Blast.
Finally, I conclude with two home runs. The first is what can only be enjoyed out west: the incredible tastes from In-N-Out Burger. Super big photo time just to make you hungry.
Mmm! And the second is a home run that can be enjoyed from wherever you are sitting right now. This grand slam by Dodger Cory Sullivan was the last at-bat I watched at Spring Training.
For more FlipCam videos from Spring Training, check here.
