Welcome from Camelback Ranch and one of my all-time favorite ballparks – major league or spring training. The Mariners will play the Dodgers here this afternoon, and we’ll get to a few early Mariners notes down below.
But first, a little tour of this ballpark.
I’m always amazed a
t what the hand of man can construct in the middle of nothing, and this complex on a 141-acre slice of desert on the west side of the metro Phoenix region is a perfect example. This is the third year for this facility, which hosts the Dodgers and Chicago White Sox for spring training.
There’s the stadium with its 10,500 gold-colored chair seats (along with room on the grass for about 3,000 more fans). The stadium also has four full-sized suites, eight mini-suites, press box, the Legends Deck on the suite level where fans can drink and dine and watch a game, and two outfield terrace party areas.
And there also are the workout and office facilities for each team – six practice fields apiece for the Dodgers and White Sox, including one on each side that duplicates the dimensions of Dodger Stadium and U.S. Cellular Field. The office and clubhouse buildings for each team have external finishes designed to blend with the surrounding desert, utilizing stone veneer and “rusty” metal panels.
Former Mariners bench coach Ty VanBurkleo said the place looks like a giant Chipotle restaurant. Can’t argue with him there. Black beans, please.
Most fans enter the stadium through the center field area after walking on paths along a five-acre lake/river/waterfall feature that divides the Dodgers’ side of the complex with the White Sox’ side. From what I could tell by the proximity of the water to the practice fields, plenty of baseballs have likely splashed down there since the place opened two years ago.
And now, for a few Mariners notes:
• Mariners closer David Aardsma played catch this morning for what we believe is the first time since he ditched his crutches. Aardsma, who had hip surgery in early January, played catch with fellow injured reliever Shawn Kelley.
• Today’s the day Milton Bradley and his wife are scheduled to meet with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office in the aftermath of his arrest in January on a criminal charge of making threats against his wife. Bradley was at the Mariners’ complex this morning, although he’s not in the lineup or on the travel list for today’s game against the Dodgers.
• Jack Wilson will make his second start today at second base as manager Eric Wedge continues to look at his infield options. Josh Wilson will start at shortstop. Monday, Brendan Ryan started at second base.
• Besides starter Doug Fister, pitchers on hand for the Mariners today are Brandon League, Garrett Olson, Dan Cortes, Edward Paredes, Royce Ring and Chaz Roe.
Here are today’s lineups:
MARINERS
Ichiro Suzuki, right field
Chone Figgins, third base
Franklin Gutierrez, center field
Jack Cust, DH
Adam Kennedy, first base
Jack Wilson, second base
Michael Saunders, left field
Josh Bard, catcher
Josh Wilson, shortstop
Starting pitcher: Right-hander Doug Fister
DODGERS
Rafael Furcal, shortstop
Casey Blake, third base
Andre Ethier, right field
Matt Kemp, DH
James Loney, first base
Juan Uribe, second base
Jay Gibbons, left field
Rod Barajas, catcher
Tony Gwynn Jr., center field
Starting pitcher: Right-hander Jon Garland
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
