I just returned from my first ever trip to Phoenix for spring training and wanted to share my thoughts on the experience.

Number one: It was AWESOME.

Ok, with that out of the way, here's some details: I stayed in a hotel about a 15 minute drive from the stadium. The stadium is quite nice. Pretty, well designed, easy to get around. Decent concessions although my dad complained over the lack of vegetarian options. Beer just as expensive as ever. For Saturday's game I was sitting on the grassy hill behind the left field fence. The atmosphere out there was very, very chill. The fans seemed to know the players pretty well based on what I overheard from people.

The quality of play on the field was ok. The intensity seemed a bit off, but that is to be expected. Zito started and was up in the zone pretty consistently, didn't seem to be getting a lot of break on his curveball. At the plate Linden looked great, I really hope we get that guy some ABs this year. I was watching through binoculars when Bonds hit his homerun. Man, that swing is pretty. I had no doubt it was gone just from watching the swing. By the time I took my eyes off the binocs to try to pick up the ball it was over the fence.

One amusing thing was when about 30 guys in full Dodger gear slowly walked all the way from one side of the stadium to the other along a walkway that splits the upper and lower parts of the stands. They got a lot of crap from fans and seemed to be loving the attention. Guy next to me said they do it practically every game. Those losers need to buy some tickets to Florida already.

Yesterday I went to see the split squad game at the A's stadium (sadly missing the Enchanter by doing so). Phoenix municipal isn't as nice as the scottsdale park, but is ok. It is actually interesting how the two parks mirror the ones out here. Scottsdale stadium is right next to downtown scottsdale, sorta integrated into the community like Mays field is. Phoenix municipal is more like the coliseum with a big parking lot next to it and no neighbourhood feel.

The Giants didn't send any of their starters down for that game except for Feliz (oh joy), but Linden played center and again looked impressive at the plate. Unlike the 13-9 contest I watched on Saturday this one felt like a real game with a 3-2 final score. Hennessy looked good starting, the guys that followed so-so.

Beyond the games I also had a fun time. Checked out some art in Scottsdale (reminded me a bit of Carmel... how the hell do all those galleries manage to stay open?), ate some good mexican, and drove over to Casino Arizona Sat night for some blackjack (only about 15 min from downtown scottsdale for those of u who gamble.)

So it was a fun trip and I highly reccomend that anyone who can figure out the means to get down there does so. I'm already planning for next year!