Arizona Third Day
Day began uneventfully. As usual, woke up around 6 a.m. before alarm went off. Had breakfast at hotel restaurant. Visited there with members of a 60+ baseball team. Apparently, they were from Chicago and were preparing to go home. Nice to talk to someone so close to home. None of us really like Arizona. Met Michael around 7:15 at his condo, which is really a single family home that this guy from Arizona owns. He actually stopped by while we were waiting in the car. He apparently owns three homes and rents them out to people visiting Phoenix. As we had a few minutes before we needed to leave for the first game, we decided to fill up on some gas. First station was a local one that didn't take credit cards only cash. We had the cash, but preferred to hang onto it for a while longer. So on to the second station where we thought it would take my card, but charged $.45 to use it...so decided to gas up later, and went back to Michael's.
Michael was carrying four team members in his car and we had two team members in our car, as one of the guys was waiting for a car to be delivered and couldn't take them yet. No problem, we had to follow Michael anyway, as you know, I gave up on the GPS. Made it to the game with time to spare. While the guys were warming up, Hunk and I went to a third gas station (a national station) and were finally able to get gas. Also stopped into a local grocery store (Safeway) just to look around. I always thought that Minnesota was a friendly state, but people in Arizona are certainly very friendly. Someone is always smiling and taking the time to say hi or make conversation everywhere we go. As the day was rather chilly, in the 60's and cloudy, I got myself a hot chocolate at a coffee shop and even splurged and bought two biscotti. OMG..I think I'm starting to go blonde and act like a Valley Girl...I never buy such things. Anyway, back to the field we went. It was the spring training stadium for the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians. Very nice field...we had it all to ourselves. Only about a half dozen fans in the whole stadium. I sat down in front while Hunk stayed up above under cover. The start of the game was delayed due to rain about 10-15 minutes and it sprinkled off and on through half the game. No prob...I had my umbrella, visor and shades and oh yes, my hot chocolate and biscotti. Hunk, as usual visited with the other fans. One of the ladies was the wife of the behind the plate ump. They came 2200 miles from South Carolina just to do this tournament and they came via motorcycle.
First game started at 10 a.m. As far as the first game went, the guys played very well and pitching was awesome. They loaded the bases a couple of times. Michael got hit by a pitch, walked, struck out and out by fielder's choice with RBI. He also threw out a runner at second; a guy who previously was 25 for 25 steals. The Cardinals won the game 6-0.
We then traveled to the next game, which was where the Milwaukee Brewers have their spring training. They didn't get to play in the main stadium this time, but played on one of the minor league fields. The guys played hard and came on strong at the end, going into the ninth down by just one run, but couldn't pull it off and lost 9-4. We found out after the game that this team in previous years had played at the AA level of baseball, while Michael's team is single A. They also had a previous minor league pitcher, but I must say I wasn't impressed. All in all the guys played hard, but it just wasn't in the cards. Tomorrow is another day.
After leaving Michael, Hunk and I decided to have dinner. I wanted soup and I know how Wendy's soup is, so we went there. Believe it or not I'm trying to eat better than I normally do. I know you'll find this hard to believe, but they didn't get Hunk's order right. He asked for a #4 which is double burger with cheese, bacon, lettuce, etc. etc. but wanted it plain. They took his bacon off and he had to go back and get it. I told him to be nice and patient. He didn't get too snotty, I must say. Things are so different here. I wanted a cup with water and they were going to charge us$.49. Hunk said he didn't want it if they were going to charge him, so then they took the charge off. I may have to start ordering food for both Hunk and me and see if things get any better.
Next game is Thursday afternoon; they only play one game. Give Alexa and Megan hugs from me. I heard some little girls at the game today giggling and they made think of my little girls. I don't know why people would purposefully retire to a place like Phoenix, away from their family. I just would not be able to do it. Well, until tomorrow...
Michael was carrying four team members in his car and we had two team members in our car, as one of the guys was waiting for a car to be delivered and couldn't take them yet. No problem, we had to follow Michael anyway, as you know, I gave up on the GPS. Made it to the game with time to spare. While the guys were warming up, Hunk and I went to a third gas station (a national station) and were finally able to get gas. Also stopped into a local grocery store (Safeway) just to look around. I always thought that Minnesota was a friendly state, but people in Arizona are certainly very friendly. Someone is always smiling and taking the time to say hi or make conversation everywhere we go. As the day was rather chilly, in the 60's and cloudy, I got myself a hot chocolate at a coffee shop and even splurged and bought two biscotti. OMG..I think I'm starting to go blonde and act like a Valley Girl...I never buy such things. Anyway, back to the field we went. It was the spring training stadium for the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians. Very nice field...we had it all to ourselves. Only about a half dozen fans in the whole stadium. I sat down in front while Hunk stayed up above under cover. The start of the game was delayed due to rain about 10-15 minutes and it sprinkled off and on through half the game. No prob...I had my umbrella, visor and shades and oh yes, my hot chocolate and biscotti. Hunk, as usual visited with the other fans. One of the ladies was the wife of the behind the plate ump. They came 2200 miles from South Carolina just to do this tournament and they came via motorcycle.
First game started at 10 a.m. As far as the first game went, the guys played very well and pitching was awesome. They loaded the bases a couple of times. Michael got hit by a pitch, walked, struck out and out by fielder's choice with RBI. He also threw out a runner at second; a guy who previously was 25 for 25 steals. The Cardinals won the game 6-0.
We then traveled to the next game, which was where the Milwaukee Brewers have their spring training. They didn't get to play in the main stadium this time, but played on one of the minor league fields. The guys played hard and came on strong at the end, going into the ninth down by just one run, but couldn't pull it off and lost 9-4. We found out after the game that this team in previous years had played at the AA level of baseball, while Michael's team is single A. They also had a previous minor league pitcher, but I must say I wasn't impressed. All in all the guys played hard, but it just wasn't in the cards. Tomorrow is another day.
After leaving Michael, Hunk and I decided to have dinner. I wanted soup and I know how Wendy's soup is, so we went there. Believe it or not I'm trying to eat better than I normally do. I know you'll find this hard to believe, but they didn't get Hunk's order right. He asked for a #4 which is double burger with cheese, bacon, lettuce, etc. etc. but wanted it plain. They took his bacon off and he had to go back and get it. I told him to be nice and patient. He didn't get too snotty, I must say. Things are so different here. I wanted a cup with water and they were going to charge us$.49. Hunk said he didn't want it if they were going to charge him, so then they took the charge off. I may have to start ordering food for both Hunk and me and see if things get any better.
Next game is Thursday afternoon; they only play one game. Give Alexa and Megan hugs from me. I heard some little girls at the game today giggling and they made think of my little girls. I don't know why people would purposefully retire to a place like Phoenix, away from their family. I just would not be able to do it. Well, until tomorrow...
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