At the training facilities in Surprise, AZ
fans can see both the Kansas City Royals
and the Texas Rangers get ready for the
162 game regular season.
It's huge!
Each team has 6+ practice fields
and their own indoor training areas
It's a desert rarity: real, green grass
There's still plenty of natural desert
You're welcome.
Maybe someday.
To someday be 'on the other side of the fence'
Plenty of areas were more accessible.
Especially on the Rangers' side:
It's Jeremy Guthrie!
We saw him last year pitching for the Royals.
He will always be part of the KC team!
The main stadium is shared between the teams.
All other areas have "duplicate copies"
from one side to the other.
It's a very interesting world!
We spent most of our time on
the Rangers' side.
Since they were hosting two
minor league scrimmage games.
AA Royals vs AA Rangers on one field
&
AAA Royals vs AAA Rangers on another
field that was 20 feet away.
We could stand in the middle
and watch both games!
It's awesome to see familiar faces
wearing Royals' uniforms!
We saw him last year in Springdale,
now, he's moved-up to Omaha!
It's Balbino Fuenmayor!
He's a steady infielder for the Royals'
organization, Angel Franco!
He's the former NWA Naturals' manager,
and current manager of the
Omaha Storm Chasers,
Brian Poldberg!
Better than the Superbowl?
Not even close.
The scrimmage games had the best fly-overs.
(thanks to a nearby Air Force Base with F-35's)
-no concessions, however
It was fun to be just as welcomed
on the 'other side' of the training facility
Fans of baseball speak
the same language, after all
DJ has a feeling that this
is going to be a good year!
And, looking forward to a
return visit to AZ next year?
(even though we got a little overloaded at times)