It sure doesn't feel like it with the weather we have been having lately, but Pitchers & Catchers report today! We may just be crawling out from yet another winter storm here in Milwaukee, but it's 60° in Phoenix as the Brewers arrive for the first time at their brand new renovated home, newly dubbed the American Family Fields of Phoenix. The former Maryvale Baseball Park underwent an extensive overhaul the last 10 months that mostly centered around upgrades to the practice fields and player facilities. But the main ballpark also got a facelift and some updated concessions, so I am excited to see it in a few weeks. That's right, I am finally returning to Spring Training after an 8-year hiatus. The last time I went in 2011, the Brewers wound up 2 wins away from the World Series, so I hope I can bring them the same luck this year. Megan and I are taking our daughter Molly and meeting my parents out there for a long weekend, and I could not be more ready to feel some warmer weather and hear that crack of the bat again.
Speaking of ballpark trips, this is normally about the time of year where I announce to our reader(s) the plans for Erik and my annual trip. This year is a little bit in flux because of a lot of life-changing events for Erik in this past year. He moved out to New Hampshire in October and recently became employed for the state government, so we are trying to work out something in our schedules we can do this summer. So far we have floated an Appy/Sally League trip, and a trip centered around the Rickwood Classic in Birmingham, Alabama. Both of these ideas have been on our list since we started doing these Tours, so either would be long overdue and a lot of fun.
Closer to home, there are actually a couple of ballparks opening that I will need to get to. Franklin, Wisconsin, which is a southern suburb of Milwaukee, is getting a new independent league team in the American Association that takes the field in May - the Milwaukee Milkmen. I was able to drive by it a couple of weeks ago to see the progress, and between that and their aggressive social media campaign, I am excited to see them in action. The UW-Milwaukee baseball team will also be moving here, and to say that it will be an improvement over the county park they currently play in would be a gross understatement. Green Bay is also opening a new ballpark for their Northwoods League team (newly rebranded as the Booyah) that will be a must-see and a significant upgrade over Joannes Field.
Stay tuned for more updates throughout the course of the season, and as always, detailed posts about any ballparks I visit. Only 43 days 'til Opening Day and Go Brewers!
touch with baseball when his childhood heroes Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, and Jim Gantner retired but the Great Home Run Chase of 1998 reignited his passion. As a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Erik became involved with the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity. With this group Erik traveled to Portland, OR and Baltimore, MD to work on construction projects and help the group raise $25,000 to partially sponsor a house in Milwaukee. Also at UWM, Erik met Peter Nagel. The two attended their first Brewers game together during Opening Weekend 2003. Despite their failure to ignite the coals at their first tailgate, the two had a blast and were soon making weekly trips to the ballpark. Erik has gone on to several colleges and changed careers several times, and has moved all the way out to New Hampshire, but has always stayed true to his baseball roots by holding part-time stadium usher jobs. To this day he looks back fondly on his incredible cross-country journey.