The Best Things About Spring Training

I just got back from a four-day jaunt to Scottsdale for some Spring Training action, my fourth year in a row doing this trip (and sixth time overall). While I'd hoped to post daily updates of the action, the combination of a poor Ethernet connection at my hotel and a little too much bakin' in the hot Arizona sun made that less than convenient.

So, instead, I'll be making two wrap-up posts. My other article will focus on the three Giants' games I saw and the possibility of a not-so-depressing season ahead. 

This piece, on the other hand, is all about what makes Cactus League Spring Training the best not-so-well-kept secret in baseball.

When I first started going to Scottsdale, there was an intimate feeling to the proceedings, even though the crowds still showed up.

Stadiums weren't empty, but you could definitely have your pick of seats and the post-game bars had room for everyone. 

Not anymore.

Every game I went to this year was a sell-out. With eight stadiums in a 20-mile radius, each holding about 8,000 to 12,000 people, that's pretty impressive. You could say, then, that the cat is out of the bag.

Still, even with bigger crowds and longer lines, Spring Training in Arizona is one of the best sports-related vacations one could take.

With the risk of further letting the secret out, here are, in no particular order, some of the best things about the Cactus League experience:

1. Island Noodles at Scottsdale Stadium

Scottsdale Stadium is, in this biased fan's view, the gem of the Cactus League ballparks.

There are a few I still haven't been to so I can't declare a hands-down winner, but it'd be hard to top Scottsdale's combination of location (just off the main drag of Scottsdale Boulevard, the haven for Spring Training vacationers), gameday experience, and amenities.

Plus, there's the concessions—and Island Noodles are where it's at.

At the risk of sounding like a yuppie San Franciscan who eats sushi and sips cabernet at the stadium, there's nothing better than sitting in 80 degree weather in March, watching a ballgame, and noshing on some stir-fried Soba noodles with veggies and some chili sauce, and then washing it all down with a $6.50 Bud Light.

Ah, baseball—the true American pastime. 

2. Random chants for fringe players on the bubble

It seems that, every year, the crowd really gets behind one minor-leaguer who is fighting to crack the Major League roster. Last year, fans supported Daniel Ortmeier, as every time he came to bat, one section would yell "ORT!" followed by the other half yelling "MEIER!" It was pretty random, but hilarious, and, well, I guess you had to be there...

This year, the player who really drew the attention of Giants fans was flashy speedster Eugenio Velez, who should be a lock to make the team after tearing up the Cactus League with 13 stolen bases and some clutch hitting.

After watching Velez lead the team to a big win over Milwaukee on Saturday in Scottsdale, I traveled out to Surprise to see the Giants take on the Rangers.

Every time Velez stepped up to the plate, a large group of San Francisco fans in the crowd started chanting: "YOU!" "HENIO!" "YOU!" "HENIO!" "YOU!"

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