Dodgers Spring Training: What it is like traveling to Camelback Ranch
By Jamaal Artis
Having traveled to watch the Dodgers Spring Training, how is the atmosphere of Camelback Ranch?
Having gone down to the Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training home for the first time, it’s easy to see why the Dodgers made the smart move of leaving Florida for Arizona.
Walking around Dodgers home Camelback Ranch you recognize the sea of blue willing to brave 80 plus heat to get up close to current and future Dodgers.
Florida being thousands of miles from Los Angeles it was probably difficult for the average fan to fly to the east coast. Here in Arizona a Dodgers fan just have drive 6 hours or like me fly 1 hour to see the boys in blue.
This late in March, it was more likely you’ll get to see Kershaw pitch six innings (we did) than a teenager making his first pro camp. Not only could you see him but you were only a few feet away as I got to sit right behind the Dodgers dugout. Unless you’re a high roller this doesn’t happen at Dodgers Stadium.
Fans are more engaged on who’s on the field because it’s more likely they’ll see them at Dodger Stadium starting in April. But there’s a huge difference here in Arizona. Fans definitely are closer to the players here than they would be at cavernous Dodger Stadium.
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The intimate atmosphere meant picnics on the outfield lawn, the smell of kettle corn in the air, and kids running around. It was more little League than Major League.
The thin desert air makes the offense deceptively look really good, sorry guys I doubt Chase Utley slams a 450 foot home run like he did against Rangers pitcher Dylan Gee. The team scored 10 and 13 runs in the two games I watched. Regardless fans cheered like it was a playoff game.
Watching the Dodgers in Spring Training you see a team on a mission, after multiple seasons where they had to integrate a new player, coach, or manager this Dodgers team seemed connected. There was as a business like demeanor to the team as if past seasons distractions were behind them.
The Dodgers return most of the players they had last year that was two wins from their first World Series since 1988. For them to finally break the drought they’ll use their time in Arizona as a springboard to the regular season.
Next: Three Predictions for the Dodgers in 2017
If hope springs eternal then for Dodgers fans hope is found in the desert. I advise that every Dodger fan make the trip to Camelback Ranch to watch the Dodgers spring training.