San Francisco Giants: Arizona Spring Training Baseball
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At a Glance
What You'll Learn
- Enjoy “America’s pastime” with great seats at four spring training games in a variety of ballparks.
- Meet a slew of baseball insiders including authors, reporters broadcasters and more.
- Rekindle your love of the game, watch the current team up close and get excited for the upcoming season!
General Notes
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:30-5:15 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar desk located adjacent to the hotel lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation: 5:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions as we gather in our private meeting room. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. In the unlikely event that a game is rained out, an alternative activity will be provided (no refunds). Free time is limited and unscheduled at this time. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner: In the hotel restaurant, the dinner buffet includes savory dishes and entrées that vary nightly, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your follow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity note: Driving approximately 45 miles one way to stadium; about 1 hour. Walking up to 3/4 mile throughout the day; distances less than 1/2 mile at a time; paved, flat surfaces; some stairs at the stadium.
Breakfast: In the hotel dining room, the breakfast buffet offers choices such as eggs and omelets cooked to order, breakfast meats, oatmeal, fruit, and toast, plus juice, coffee, tea, water.
Morning: Throughout the program, we’ll meet wonderful baseball personalities who have intimate and often long histories with the game. Sports writer Charlie Vascellaro will join us and provide unique perspectives on baseball history and personalities. In addition to his lifelong love of baseball, Charlie is a bibliophile, historian, raconteur, traveler, and author of a biography on Hank Aaron. Charlie took part in his first Road Scholar program in 2004 and has been a regular guest ever since, delighting our folks with Spring Training chronicles. We’ll take a short break before gathering to head over to our first baseball game.
Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like at the ballpark. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon: Game 1! Today the Giants take on the San Diego Padres at the Peoria Sports Complex. Celebrating their 30th year hosting Spring Training baseball, the stadium is one of the more intimate locations to watch the action. Do note that the Peoria is the furthest away stadium from our hotel in Scottsdale, so thank you for your understanding. We’ll return to the hotel after the game.
Dinner: Hotel buffet.
Evening: We’ll then settle into the hotel conference room to enjoy a presentation from Ricky Hemerle. Ricky will share his story on what the life of an Umpire looks like from behind the plate as well as from off the field.
Activity note: Driving approximately 12 miles one way to stadium; about 20 minutes. Walking approx. 1 mile throughout day. Some stairs at Stadium.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: This morning we will hear from long time Giants broadcaster and radio personality Marty Lurie. Following our presentation, we’ll transfer to the stadium for our second game.
Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like at the ballpark.
Afternoon: Game 2! Today the Giants take on the home town team, the Arizona DBacks. A short distance from our hotel, Salt River Fields offers ample shady seating and great views throughout the stadium We’ll return to the hotel after the game.
Dinner: Plated dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Evening: Evening at leisure following our dinner out.
Activity note: Walking up to 1 mile throughout the day; distances less than 1/2 mile at a time; paved, flat surfaces; some stairs at the stadium. Free Old Town Trolley available for transfer from hotel to stadium.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We will spend the morning with baseball historian Robert Garratt. Robert's research and writings have focused on the Giants move from New York to S.F. and the teams eventual impact on the culture and community of The City. The presentation will take place at the nearby Scottsdale Library where along with his talk, we will also enjoy the grand opening of the newly installed "Spring Training" special exhibit. Following our time with Robert, we will head direct over to Scottsdale Stadium for our baseball game.
Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like at the ballpark.
Afternoon: Game 3! Today the Giants have a home game against the Chicago White Sox at nearby Scottsdale Stadium. Scottsdale Stadium is approximately 1/4 mile from the hotel and the Group Leader will walk the group to the stadium. For those that desire to shuttle, Scottsdale has a free trolley that travels back and forth to the game. Do note that Scottsdale Stadium is one of the older stadiums in the Cactus League and some people find the seats more comfortable when they bring a pad to sit on.
Dinner: Plated dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Evening: Evening at leisure following our dinner out.
Activity note: Driving to Chase Field 12 miles one way, approximately 20 minutes. Walking about 1/2 mile; some stairs (can be avoided if need be).
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: This morning we will hear from baseball historian and author Bill Staples Jr. Bill has authored many books on baseball and is a member of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) in Arizona with a passion for researching and telling the untold stories of the “international pastime.” His areas of expertise include Japanese American and Negro Leagues baseball history as a context for exploring the themes of civil rights, cross-cultural relations and globalization. Board bus for transport to stadium in late morning.
Lunch: On your own to enjoy while at the ballpark.
Afternoon: Game 4! Today, in order to avoid the long drive back to Peoria, we are going to enjoy a local game featuring the Dbacks against the Padres at Salt River Fields. Two division rivals of the Giants in a nearby stadium.
Dinner: At a local restaurant, we’ll have a delightful farewell dinner with a plated and served meal to celebrate our program. Coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase. Share some of your favorite experiences from the program with new Road Scholar friends.
Evening: We will then return to the hotel for a short program wrap-up to reflect upon our week. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.
Activity note: Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet. This concludes our program.
Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!