 "Photo: Courtesy of Sugarbowlscottsdale.com")
 "Photo: Courtesy of Derek Kaczmarczyk/ Wikimedia Commons")
The other night, the local news assaulted me, and I don’t think I will ever be able to forgive it for its coverage of Cactus League spring training.
Sure, that means that baseball season is around the corner. And it’s the absolute best time of year for Chicago Cubs fans because … they haven’t lost yet, but I was not pleased.
Since I moved to Chicago from Arizona I have been adjusting to my new life here, but the barrage of sunny clear skies made what little remaining Vitamin D I have beg for a chance to soak up those toxic UV rays. I couldn’t help but think about what I am missing out on back in Arizona — old people and spring training baseball.
They flock in waves for the sunshine like opposite-vampires. They stay because taxes are low and when they form en masse, they can vote down any sort of education tax or reform to make you renew your driver’s license in less than 42 years. It’s truly an amazing experience to be a part of.
But when the teams start showing up in communities with names like Mesa and Glendale, that the average Chicagoan may not recognize at first glance, these cities become Mecca for avid White Sox and Cubs fans for a few months before their teams come home and all is well in the world again.
Spring training baseball is excellent. For $10, you can get a ticket to most every game. Cubs games in particular are reminiscent of the way baseball used to be played — surrounded by families picnicking in the grass with little children running around laughing and playing.
Some things about Hohokam Park you just can’t recreate.
The crowd of out-of-towners mixed in with locals is quite a sight because they are all rooting for the same team. It’s weird because everyone who lives in Arizona is from somewhere else entirely. And in my experience, most people go there to die. And I don’t blame them. Sunshine more than 330 days a year coupled with its close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and Mexico, you’re always on vacation.
Nine ballparks within a 45-minute drive from one another is a baseball nut’s dream. The 11 total ballparks host 15 different organizations from both the National and American leagues within an hour and a half is something describable as nirvana.
For a state that only had their first official home game in 1998, they have done pretty well for themselves.
The only problem I have is that there are far too many Cubs fans in the state of Arizona for my liking. Here in Chicago, I’m not one to judge. I’m just jealous of the spirit and community that can unite and divide this city.
If Arizona had half as much pride, I probably would never have left — but they don’t, and I count myself lucky as I to get the opportunity to assimilate to life in the “Chi.”
I salute all those taking advantage of their various spring break vacation plans and heading to the desert for some baseball.
Do yourself a favor and after the game hit up the Sugar Bowl up in Scottsdale. Trust me you’ll thank me later. The place has been immortalized Family Circus cartoonist Bil Keane and has been a favorite haunt of spring training players for the better part of half a century.
Have the Dusty Road Sundae: chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce and a blanket of malt delicious whip and a luscious red cherry.
The way the menu describes it, it’s almost worth the $250 plane ticket.
But if there is one thing Arizona has that we don’t have here in Chicago, it’s sunshine. At least this time of year.
Matt Wilhalme is a Sports Editor
mwilhalme@luc.edu
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