{On the Road} Top 5 things about Spring Training

We're back from our trip to Brewers Spring Training. We logged 4 games, 3 at Maryvale, 1 at Scottsdale Stadium, and 1 Phoenix Suns game. We ate In-N-Out Burger, drank margaritas and ate spicy Mexican food and witnessed a tilted kilt. No, I didn't turn into a man. But it was definitely a dudes' kind of weekend. Here are my top 5 favorite things about Spring Training:

1. THE WARM, SUNNY WEATHER: Even when it was cloudy and 70 degrees, I still got sunburned. And it was glorious. You forget what sun feels like when you endure a Wisconsin winter. If you go, bring lots and lots of sunscreen. Shade slowly covers the seats behind home plate and left field by 3:30pm. Everything else is prime tanning locale.

2. SEEING NEW CHANGES: Every year comes with multiple roster changes. This preseason saw the departure of Prince and the injury of Hart. Therefore, there were new faces and plenty of new plays being tackled. Aoki looks great in right field, his hitting is improving. Gamel on 1st is shaky, but I think he'll get the hang of it and he is a powerhouse hitter. Braun plays only a few innings during training, but still hit a nice home run on Friday. Conrad is pretty versatile infielder, so we'll see where he ends up during the regular season. Morgan was hit by a ball on Saturday and hasn't quite returned to normal. Hang in there, T-Plush!

3. SITTING ON THE GRASS: Several spring training ballparks have grass berms to watch the game (Goodyear, Salt River Fields, Tempe Diabo Stadium, Hohokam, etc) and catch some sun. Many people bring blankets and spread out in the grass, relax, have a picnic and catch home runs or foul balls. And eventually, due to the length of the games (most near 4hrs), sitting turns into sleeping.

4. SEATING IS FLEXIBLE: After a few innings, seating at most stadiums is pretty flexible. Weekday games aren't usually sold out. So if the beautiful Arizona sun rays have turned against you and you're dying for shade or the gentleman behind you is a little too fanatical, you can just get up and find an open seat in the stadium. Unless you're brazen about it, finding a more comfortable seat is perfectly acceptable. Almost everyone at the game is on vacation so people are pretty laid back.

5. BEING AMONGST THE FANS: When you fly out to Phoenix from Milwaukee, over half the plane is filled with Brewers fans. You'll see those same Brewers fans at restaurants and at multiple games. There's a community feel to Spring Training. Those at Spring Training are die hard fans - you have to be to make the trek cross country. So it's wonderful to see everyone supportive of the players, talking shop, and sporting Brewers gear head to toe.

.......And just for the record, Spring Training DOES have sausage races!

Brewers Fever

Off to Club Garibaldis to watch the Brewers-Cardinals game. Although it might be cancelled due to rain. Just another reason why Miller Park is awesome.....it has a roof.

Read how I'm celebrating the MLB Playoff season over at InsideMilwaukee HERE

How are my fellow Brewers fans/readers celebrating the winning streak? And what in heavens will we do if they make it to the World Series??? Freak out? Dancing in the street? Yes, indeed.

Tailgating with a Vespa

Tailgating with a Vespa. Yes, it's possible.

On Sunday, our 1st wedding anniversary, we loaded up the Vespa and took it to Miller Park to tailgate before the Brewers game. Because the Vespa played a leading role in our wedding, we thought it was only appropriate. We made a stop at the grocery store; bought a disposable grill (which worked very well), 2 burgers, some brats, carrot sticks and dip, bread, a six pack of beer and a lighter. We grabbed ketchup and mustard on our way out of the house. We strapped the grill on the back rack, the beer under the seat, and a grocery bag with the rest on the seat hook in the front. We got there and thought, 'we could probably bring two camp chairs and a small radio next time'. Parking for motocycles and scooters is located in front of Helfaer field. So if anyone else has a Vespa and has thought about tailgating....it's totally do-able.





And we even saw the mini racing sausages........

Opening Day 2011 in Pictures

1. Buying brats at the Metro Market downtown Milwaukee. Only in Wisconsin, people. 2. Getting ready to go, Vintage Brewers 1982 Champion hat found at Vintageous in Bay View. 3. Photo from the stands thanks to CJ, my phone died. 4. New Brewers earrings scored at the Team Store for $8.

A Girls Guide to Brewers Opening Day

Less than a week until Brewers Opening Day :)

So, if you're going and you're in need of some helpful tips, I've got a few tips. The Girls Guide to Brewers Opening Day is posted on the Milwaukee Magazine website, InsideMilwaukee. So check it out, and feel free to add your own tips and advice. Good luck girls and GO BREWERS!

Brewers Opening Day

The school bus should and like 40 people should be here in a few minutes. I've got practically everything ready to go and I'm making the coleslaw now. Matt went to the Metro Market yesterday to get brats and food for today. I'm excited to try the Chicken and apple bratwurst. Of course, he also got plenty Cheddar brats. Should be a good opening day: it's 65 degrees and the roof is open!

Daytripping......

It was another good baseball game today, a 5-4 win over Cleveland. Like I said, there's a lot of down time at these games. I spent it by admiring the pedicure I got before I left. I really love this bright melon pink color called Daytripper by Lippmann Collection.

I leave Arizona tomorrow night, but have an auto-post all set to go for everyone. And hint, hint, check out Design*Sponge tomorrow!

On the Road: Brewers Spring Training

I'll be gone for a few days during my annual trip to Phoenix: to visit the grandparents and my beloved Brewers. I look forward to Spring Training even more than Christmas. I love the gameday experience at Miller Park, but that's not what these games are about. These games are the ones where people people bring books for the slow innings, bring their own radar gun, and their memorabilia to be signed since the players hang out considerably long after games. It's just more relaxed during Spring Training. So, I've packed my book, my manicure set, and sunscreen and I'm ready to sit and enjoy the game.


[A note to Brewers fans: These pictures were taken last year; Hardy is now with the Twins]