Diamondbacks Spring Training Baseball at Salt River Fields

Spring training baseball only comes once per year.  That's why when asked if I would work at the ballpark for a month, I said, "yes"!

Why not?  When working, I need to be busy and I need to be challenged.  It is a very active month of work because there are games every day with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies playing at Salt  River Fields.  Also this year there is the World Baseball Classic.  So, for four days there will be extra games.  Mexico, Canada, Italy and the United States will be playing games for four days in March.

Thursday at Salt River Fields

So, here we go.  But it wasn't baseball as usual at Salt River Fields on the first day in which I showed up.  No sir.  It looked like a baseball field in Montana.  The day before we had large size hail stones falling from the sky.  I have never seen snow in Phoenix and didn't expect it.  Occasionally we will look far away and see some snow on a mountain top.  We'll ooh and ah.  Most of the day on Wednesday it was raining.  That was followed by Thunder.  I wondered why the people were screaming outside my window on Wednesday?  They were playing in the 'snow'!!

So, picture this.  The following day is Thursday.  The season starts Saturday.  They are looking for a concessions supervisor.  Okay.  I'll check it out.  I stopped in and was hired on the spot.  That is the way I like it.  No muss, no fuss.  Let's get rolling.  The first person to whom I spoke at the field was grounds crew supervisor.  He was extremely concerned about getting the field ready for next month, never mind a day and a half.

Friday at Salt River Fields

Today, by the way is Friday.  I stopped in to visit the field to say hello.  This is what I saw.  The grounds crew has done a tremendous job getting the field ready to go in ONE DAY!

So, the grounds crew is pretty impressive.  As I was walking out of the park, I saw some ballplayers practicing.

Friday at Salt River Fields

The Diamondbacks were on their practice field with red sweatshirts getting ready to play ball.  Saturday is the big day.

I should actually make my first post along with a few photos on Monday 2/25/13 about the pre-season at Salt River Field in Arizona.  

Joe Garagiola Retires

When I grew up, Joe Garagiola worked with Tony Kubek doing the Game of the Week on Saturday.  I remember that as a youngster, I liked him.  Sure, why not?  It was a baseball game.  Joe, a fine speaker, was doing the announcing. What was not to like?  

But, I didn't know how good he was.  What a personality, what a character and what a wonderful man he is.  He is genuine.  

Let's see.  My first years of watching The Game of the Week were the seventies - that would have to go back forty years.  If Joe is 87 now, then I knew him first when he was in his forties.  He's the type of guy that you could listen to all day.  I would have to say that the reason is that he has such passion for his profession.  

Garagiola grew up on St. Louis and played for the Cardinals.  He spent 8 or 9 years in the big leagues. One year he said he played for four teams (of the eight teams in the league).  He said he was modeling uniforms.  Joe never claimed to be the caliber of Stan Musial or anyone other than himself, says he was always, 'the player to be named later."

Joe Garagiola

Joe had a couple of stints on the Today show.  Anywhere that he could be speaking in the public eye was good for him.  I didn't get enough of Joe on Saturday's for the Game of the Week.  Nor, did I get enough of Joe and all his goodness in Arizona.  It's said that other than Jerry Colangelo, Garagiola had the most influence in getting a baseball team to Phoenix.

Joe was president of the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) which helped former ballplayers who had come on hard times.  The Major Leagues, Minor Leagues, Negro Leagues, and Umpires have been guided with the principles of teamwork, caring and sharing.  

Thanks to Joe Garagiola for all you have done for baseball.  Thanks for your passion.  Thanks for your smile.