Cincinnati Reds Spring Training

     The Cincinnati Reds are now in their third year spending their Spring Training in Arizona. Their training facility and stadium are in Goodyear, West of Phoenix. They share the stadium with the Cleveland Indians. Each team has their own training facility, a collection of fields, batting cages, and building for offices and locker rooms. They are just down the street (Estrella Parkway) from the Goodyear Ballpark and there is an off-street access road that connects the whole complex.
     The practices generally start about 9 a.m. and the access gates to walk onto the complex grounds are opened at that time. There is free parking along the access road in front of the facility. The major league players practice on the North side and the minor leaguers on the South side. The minor league area has four fields. The players and coaches need to walk on a common side walk to reach the walkway back to the private access areas. There are sets of small stands so that you can sit and watch the action on the field.   To reach the area, the sidewalk runs right out to the front of the facility. The major league area has three fields and batting cages. To reach the area, fans need to walk down the Northern most sidewalk. You can then either walk to the right and go to a set of stands that overlook the action. Or you can take the way to the left that goes around the outfield wall. It feels as if this cannot be the "right way to go". But it is! You reach an area where two of the fields are connected by a sidewalk. The major leaguers regularly have to walk on and off the fields via this sidewalk. There is a guard rail to designate where you can stand. This puts you no more than 10-12 feet from where the players and coaches walk by the area.

     As with many practices, the best times to "catch someone" for an autograph is when they first arrive or are leaving for the morning. Although we had success with this when we attended, some players are certainly arriving at different times, so it is appropriate to ask politely anytime.
     The day we attended, Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Aroldis Chapman, Dusty Baker, Sean Marshall, Ryan Madson, Mike Leake, Drew Stubbs, Chris Welsh, Billy Hatcher, Sam LeCure, Todd Frazier, and Zach Cozart all signed between 9 a.m. and 11:25 a.m. I took the picture above of my son Sam Teller patiently waits for Joey Votto's autograph. He is showing good form with the ball and pen extended towards the player without crowding the player. And bonus points for having the cap of the pen off!