Valentines Day, a day normally reserved for cards, maybe a poem, a song, flowers, a dinner perhaps to celebrate the day with my wife, Rachel. Last Wednesday, February the 14th, Valentine’s Day, 2024 I found myself on a work assignment in Phoenix for ABF Freight. So, with a raincheck fully scheduled for when I returned from Arizona, I decided to chase one of my other loves in life – baseball. Wednesday’s date – American Family Fields of Phoenix, home of the Milwaukee Brewers.

The stadium and complex home of the Milwaukee Brewers was relatively easy to get to from I-10. The parking lot was mostly filled when I arrived late afternoon to check out the facilities and grounds, granted they were open to public viewing. As I approached the front gate, a security guard spotted me and I told him of my intentions. He motioned to an unlocked section of the gate and I entered to take photos. Like at Tempe Diablo Stadium, the place was buzzing with groundskeepers, concessions stands workers, construction workers, staffers, and security. Busy times to prepare for throngs of fans in about a week’s time. Not to mention all the players, coaches, trainers, and staff due in. Very cool to be in Arizona this time of year, if you LOVE baseball.

I was able to walk around the entire stadium, into right field, around the walking path that spanned the perimeter of the outfield area. It was a gorgeous, 70 something degree day, light winds, not a cloud in the sky. In other words, a perfect day for baseball. I did hustle around the field because I didn’t want to overstay my welcome. From what I observed, the field, the grounds, the entire complex was in ready to experience condition. And what a view from the outfield area.

As I made my way out of the stadium, I passed another security guard or two on the walking path outside the ticket office. I also spotted a row of plaques featuring Milwaukee Brewers greats and the great Jackie Robinson, with their name and number and bios for all to see and read. Very cool and here are some of the plaques I took the time to photograph and read, starting with former Brewers owner, Major League Baseball Commissioner, and 2017 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Allan “Bud” Selig.

I followed the sidewalk past the main field over to a smaller field and spotted a baseball on the other side of the fence. It was out of reach for me to grab so I looked around to see if I could find a fallen tree branch. No such luck. Strike 1. Then, I spotted a groundskeeper and asked him for a rake. He said, politely, no I haven’t one. Strike 2. I went back to my rental car to see if I had anything remotely close to a long stick or object for me to reach under the fence and grab the baseball. Nothing, Strike 3. Oh well, it wasn’t meant to be.

The stadium, the weather, the green grass, the clean environment – American Family Fields of Phoenix was just spectacular. The Milwaukee Brewers have already begun to invite players, mostly pitchers and catchers, soon to be all position players to Phoenix to get ramped up for the 2024 season. The Brewers will have a new manager and some new players and will look to maintain its excellence in the National League Central division. Spring training games start around the 24th and 25t of February. If you are in the Phoenix area and would like to catch a Brewers Spring Training game, here is their schedule – Brewers 2024.

PS Happy Valentines Day, Rachel!!!