Great thread idea. Every season I think about going out to ST for a week or so. Maybe with some more info I’ll get that final push to do it.

Try to stay at the Courtyard. It’s just a block away from the stadium.

Anytime is a great time, though I suggest getting tickets when WBC games are being played there this year.

Oh, and throw a beer bottle at a Dodgers fan when you see one. Another new addition to the Scottsdale experience.

i can’t remember if lincecum was there last year, but he definitely was this year and it was a ball. a few things:

- if the giants aren’t playing a popular team (cubs, angels, and i assume now the dodgers) and it’s a week day i wouldn’t bother to buy tickets in advance. i did that for all my games last year, but then we just walked to the ticket window to see if there were better seats for the next game and we got front row for about $25.

- i’d suggest trying a few different ballparks while you are there- i went to the mariners/padres park and it was real nice. also consider doing lawn seats at a few games; bring a blanket and just hang out waiting for the home runs. kids love being in the lawn section and everyone is pretty nice.

- also, if you happen to be a Starwood Preferred Guest (sheraton, four points, etc…) you can find great deals through the website and they have discounts if you have any unused points. also, even though i didn’t have any points to spend i was able to buy supplementary points and get rooms at 1/2 price or better (i got a $469/night suite for $140 a night just by doing some math and buying the necessary points).

- bring sunblock!

http://camerafraud.wordpress.com/2008/10/14/new-dps-scam-cam-locations-mapped/

This is AZ’ latest moneymaking scheme since the copper market crashed again.

The fines start at around $180.

That map is two months old.

It’s been reported that in the first two months those cameras netted the state six million dollars. So they put some more out there…some of them less than a mile apart.

The cameras are reportedly designed to nap folk exceeding the posted limit by more than 10 mph…however citizens – including yours truly – have seen the cameras flash when traveling BELOW the posted speed limit.

So bear that in mind before you try to make the 1:15 game in Surprise from Scottsdale , ’kay?

Wow that radar camera comment was a real post derailer.

What are some good restaurants in the scottsdale area?

but have to somehow get the boss to let me off during tax season.

I really like going early in spring training because you get to see so many different players. That might be a turn off for some people, but I really enjoyed seeing the youngsters.

Also, there’s a Holiday Inn or something close by that’s kind of like the unofficial Giants fan hangout. Staying there was cool, as pretty much everyone migrates to and from the ballpark in large crowds.

Also, don’t watch the D-Backs plays the Giants. The locals spoil the fun.

Have been to ST a couple of times. The first time went in February when teams were working out but not playing in games. Got to see all the players from MLB and the young prospects. The fans were fewer and the setting intimate.

The following season went with the fellas and we brought our golf clubs. We went in March. The crowds were everywhere from the ballparks to the restaurants.

Preferred the smaller crowds and more intimate setting where we got lots of photos and autographs.

There will be an angry Jeff Fuller trolling around looking for McCoven at ST.

If you want to see the big leaguers, don’t do what I did the once and wait until their last few days in Arizona. By then, many of them had already left for San Francisco.

Consequently though, I did get to see Doug Mirabelli’s last game in a Giants uniform. Not sure why I remember that.