More than 500 youth baseball coaches, players and fans helped Triple Crown Sports launch Session 1 of the AZ Spring Training Experience on Thursday, with entertainment and energy filling up the left-field pavilion at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Event directors carved out some extra space and time to welcome Session 1 teams, with players getting special packages that included Chinook Seeds and baseball cards featuring MLB athletes who are playing in Cactus League games in Arizona this spring. At the autograph tables, Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black was on hand, along with former MLB players Kurt Bevacqua, Aaron Rowand, Junior Spivey and Hall of Fame reliever Rollie Fingers. TCS customers were also able to watch the team from Long Beach State practice on the field. Noted YouTube baseball comedian Domingo Ayala did a 30-minute show for the athletes on hand and also roamed the pavilion signing autographs and posing for photos. The action moves to the fields today for the start pf pool play; those games will continue through Saturday, with bracket play firing up Sunday morning. Session 2 of the AZ Spring Experience will run March 16-19; the Opening Ceremonies for that week will include the prize package, autograph sessions, an appearance from Domingo Ayala and free admission to an Arizona State baseball game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Any serious baseball fan says it at least once – “I’ve just got to make a trip to Spring Training someday.”
Triple Crown Sports, of course, has a restless interest in providing memorable events, and we’ve certainly met that standard with the AZ Spring Experience, set over two sessions (March 9-12 and March 16-19). We’ll be playing on the finest facilities in greater Phoenix and welcoming programs from all around the Far West. The competition will be strong, with teams eagerly looking at their roster to prepare for the season to come. After the games, teams get dedicated windows to go check out MLB Spring Training games at the intimate stadiums and warm, inviting towns that make Arizona one of the most desirable places to be in March. Parents and families can also enjoy the vacation aspect of the trip, with golf, shopping, swimming, hiking and stellar restaurants allowing visitors to pack in the fun, or find contentment by just relaxing by the pool. “Baseball fans just have so much to dig into at the Spring Championships, and Triple Crown is honored to have so many parents, players and coaches fire up their baseball season at this event,” said tournament director Drew Reiners. “We expect programs to enjoy the competitive experience as well as the unique team-building moments that will pay off months down the line.” Each session will have a Team/Manager Social, running Thursday from 6-9 p.m. at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Noted YouTube comedian Domingo Ayala will be on hand, as well as MLB Hall of Fame players and current baseball figures. |