Played between the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants, the Bay Bridge Series is one of the few friendly rivalries in baseball. Because both teams are located in the Bay Area, there are still plenty of bragging rights on the line, yet at the same time with the two teams being in different leagues there is less of an impact on the standings. The fact you’ll find fans of both the A’s and Giants at these matchups makes the Bay Bridge Series an excellent time to attend a game at the Oakland Coliseum.
The A’s and their Southern California counterparts have a long-running rivalry that you won’t want to miss. The Angels and A’s rivalry dates back to the 1960s and has been going strong ever since.
The A’s and Rangers have both been going hard for the AL West crown over the past few years, which has led to the development of a fierce rivalry between the two teams. The A’s edged out the Rangers for the division title in 2012 and 2013 igniting a fierce rivalry between the two. If you want to attend a good matchup, then get tickets when the Rangers come to town.
The rivalry between the A’s and Royals dates back to the late 1960s when the A’s bolted from Kansas City for Oakland. The two teams also were the dominate teams in the AL West during the 1970s further adding fuel to the rivalry. While the rivalry, may not be running super hot at the moment, there is still lots of bad blood between these two teams.
Athletics Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
When arriving early to an Oakland A’s spring training game, you’ll want to take some time to watch your favorite players practice and enjoy tailgating in the parking lots. The A’s batting cage and practice field are located right beyond center field of Hohokam Stadium, so you’ll have no trouble seeing all your favorite players warm up before the game. Head over to the practice area and catch all your favorite A’s take part in hitting drills before entering Hohokam Stadium for a fun afternoon of A’s baseball.
In addition to watching practice before the game, you’ll also want to enjoy some tailgate action as well. Tailgating is allowed in the parking lots at Hohokam Stadium, so bring the gas grill, cooler, tent, and chairs for a fun morning of tailgating before the game. You’ll make lots of friends when tailgating as there are tons of diehard A’s fans scattered throughout the parking lot.
Those of you who want to save a few bucks or are looking for easy access parking will want to check out parking in one of the residential lots near the ballpark. Many of the people who live near Hohokam Stadium offer spots for as little as $3. Take advantage of the reduced price and easy access when attending an A’s spring training game.
An A’s spring training game gives you the opportunity to see your favorite players practice before the game as well as tailgate with fellow fans, so get here early and make the most out of your trip to spring training.
The Oakland A’s spring training practices are held at the practice field behind the centerfield wall as well as the Lew Wolff Training Complex, which is located at 160 E. 6th Place. Before Cactus League play starts, you can see the A’s and their minor leaguers train at the Lew Wolff Training Complex starting at 8 am. Once the games begin, the A’s big league players practice before the game in the field and batting cages behind center field before the game.
Before the A’s arrival in 2015, Hohokam Stadium underwent a renovation to make the ballpark feel like the home of the A’s. As a result of the remodel, the exterior now features a green and yellow color scheme as well as A’s related pictures.
Where to tailgate
Stadium ParkingThe A’s offer stadium parking in the lots surrounding Hohokam Stadium for $5 per space. There are 3,000 spaces in the lots, so you’ll have little trouble finding a space. Additionally, tailgating is permitted within your parking space.
Neighborhood ParkingYou can also park in one of the homes near the ballpark, which sometimes offer parking for somewhere between $3 to $5 per space. One of the benefits of parking at the private lots is you’ll have an easier time leaving after the game.
Athletics Stadium Guide
In Game
If you haven’t been to an A’s spring training game since the club’s move to Hohokam Stadium, then you’ll want to make the trip as soon as possible. Those of you have attended an A’s spring training game at Hohokam Stadium know that it’s an excellent place to take in a ballgame as it offers lots to see and do as well as plenty of shade and gorgeous views from throughout the park. One of the best parts of attending spring training is snagging a few autographs from your favorite players before and after the game. When attending an A’s game, you’ll be in luck as there are several places where you can do just that. The A’s typically sign near the tarp before the game, and afterward, you can catch them as they make their way out of the clubhouse. Additionally, die-hard fans will also want to take a walk around the concourse and see all the murals and pictures of former A’s legends. The photographs celebrate all of the biggest moments in the club’s history, so take a stroll around the concourse to see them all. An A’s spring training game is also fun for kids and groups as well. Kids will love Stomper’s Kid Zone, which features a variety of inflatables and other baseball-related activities, while parents will love the fact that there is no additional cost. Large groups will also have a fun time at an A’s spring training game as the Right Field Lounge offers an excellent experience for groups of 35 to 120, making Hohokam Park a great place to host your next event. You’ll have a fantastic time attending an A’s spring training game no matter what your age or how big of a baseball fan you are, so start planning your trip to Mesa today.
To get as many autographs from A’s players as possible, position yourself behind the tarp before the game. Many players will sign autographs here up until 20 minutes before the game making it a great place to get signatures. If you want to get the autograph of a visiting player, make sure to be on the outer edge of the visiting dugout. After the game, you’ll also have a couple of good options for where to get autographs. You can catch the A’s on the concourse as they make their way out of the clubhouse near the first base grandstand, while the best place to secure a signature from a visiting player is as they board the bus in right field.
Around the concourse, you’ll find pictures of all the biggest moments in A’s history. They’re all must-sees for any fan who want to relive their favorite moments, so take a walk around the concourse to see them all.
Located in center field, Stomper’s Kid Zone is the perfect place to take restless kids during the game. Stomper’s Kid Zone features inflatables and baseball-themed activities making it a fun area for kids of all ages.
At 55 ft by 28 ft, Hohokam Stadium’s scoreboard is the largest in the Cactus League. Enjoy replays on the massive scoreboard during your trip to Hohokam Stadium.
Pick up a souvenir from your trip to Mesa, Arizona at the A’s Team Store on the third base side. The store offers a wide selection of A’s merchandise as well as spring training merchandise, so you won’t have to worry about leaving empty-handed.
Stop by the Promotion Table before the game to enter for the chance to win some cool prizes. Here you can win the daily giveaways, view the game’s lineup, learn about special in-game activities, and more.
If you’re holding a large group at Hohokam Stadium, then make a reservation in the Right Field Lounge. The Right Field Lounge is perfect for groups of 35 to 120 and offers an excellent view of the field, lounge furniture, a catered meal, and patio games.
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