Star Struck at Spring Training

Mission accomplished: We made it to Astros Spring Training and got up close to the baseball stars.
   
We attended three games and each one was a different experience.

 
March 1

First game, we arrived about two hours before game time. It was thrilling to walk up to the brand new stadium with the giant Houston Astros "H" star out front. We did the obligatory photo shoot in front of it. Two other Astros fans were also snapping pictures and offered to take our picture. The gentleman took his time, directed us to the best place to stand, tried with flash and without. The other gentleman asked if we were from Houston and then informed us that his companion was his brother and used to be a reporter for KHOU Channel 11 in Houston. I had been thinking he looked familiar! He was Doug Miller. No wonder he knew something about the right camera angle. We talked for a bit about the Spring Training experience at the new West Palm Beach facilities versus the previous digs at Kissimmee. His brother was a military veteran and it was an honor meeting them both.

Chris With Doug Miller

Our seats for this game were right behind home plate, about half way up. In front of us were season ticket holders and baseball scouts researching players. The scouts were all business, holding up radar guns to capture pitch speeds and jotting notes after each pitch. The beer vendor would have no luck selling to these guys. One scout had reading glasses perched over his sunglasses, I guess he's figured out what works for him.

Baseball Scout with radar gun (in striped shirt)

The Florida Marlins took an early lead but there were hardly any Miami fans to cheer them. The crowd seemed to be mostly from New York. Lots of snowbirds down for the winter I suspect.

I'm so glad that I posted on Facebook that we were at the game so a Del Rio friend could tell me to watch out for a player from our hometown who was playing up from the minors. About the 8th inning most of the starting players got rotated out and in comes Jack Mayfield from Del Rio! We watched him play at second base and then we were hoping to see him bat but it didn't look like he would get a chance so we started to leave. Turns out the batting order on the scoreboard was wrong. I happened to glance down on the field as we were literally walking out and I saw Jack Mayfield on deck. We quickly took a seat down near where he was. I wanted to get a picture of him but all we could see was his back. Chris yelled out his name and he turned around and looked right at us so we yelled out "Del Rio" and he smiled. Of course I missed my chance to take his picture. He proceeded to step up to the plate and hit a double! Then another player batted him in to score. And we were right there to see it! Made my day.

Del Rioan Jack Mayfield

March 2

The next day the game was against the Washington Nationals who share the training facilities with the Astros. Although we were the home team, we were outnumbered by Nationals fans. Once again the Astros lagged behind in the score. Chris assured me that the purpose of Spring Training is not to win games but to try out pitchers and for the players to work on specific mechanics. Yeah, but it's more fun to win!! Our seats for this game were in the outfield but we never actually sat in our seats as it was too sunny so we moved in a little to sit in the shade. No Del Rio players, newness had worn off for me, so this game wasn't as much fun. But I snapped some pictures of the beautiful stadium.

March 3

The next day, the Astros were playing an away game. I took a break from the baseball scene while Chris chose this day to go early to the fields and watch practice and maybe get some photos. His goal was to get a picture with Carlos Correa.

The practice fields have viewing areas for fanatics like Chris so he got to watch some batting practice and chat with some of the team. I wonder if the players ever feel like animals in a cage with spectators gawking at them.

The players move around to different fields for various drills. Sure enough, who should walk right past Chris but Carlos Correa? Star-struck Chris could only blurt out to him "Have a good season!" And there went his chance for a picture with him. When Jose Altuve, another idol, walked by shortly after, Chris composed himself enough to ask for a selfie with him. As Chris struggled with his phone camera, Jose offered to take the picture. Here it is. Cute isn't it?

Chris and Jose Altuve 

March 4

Our third and final game was against the New York Mets. This was on a Saturday and there was a much larger crowd, mostly Mets fans of course.

We got there early to watch batting practice and for one last chance for that Correa photo. There were more fans in the viewing area this time and as the players would walk down the sidewalk, they signed autographs and were happy to pose for pictures. This time when Correa walked by we were ready, no stressful selfie, just me taking the picture. Success! Even I was a little star-struck and took the picture too soon; didn't want to miss the chance.

Chris with Carlos Correa

Correa and Altuve working the crowds

Our "seats" this time were on the Lawn, a grassy sloped area in the outfield. It was a beautiful day, we spread out a blanket and watched from this different perspective. We could hear the outfielders talking to each other and watch the pitchers warming up in the bullpen.

The Lawn was a fun area, very family-friendly with little kids rolling down the hill as I'm sure our kids would have (when they were younger of course). The only issue we had was where to set our beer on the sloped ground. Easy, kick off your shoes and use them as a holder.

So our first Spring Training trip was a great experience. Chris got some up-close time with the Astros. I know my dad was there in spirit, loving every moment.