Sunday, February 22, 2015

There's Something New About Camelback Ranch


Camelback Ranch is getting a bit more Dodger flare.  With the improvements and beautification process at Dodger Stadium well underway Dodger Senior Vice President, Planning and Development Janet Marie Smith and her team are focusing their attention on their Spring home in Arizona. 

There will now be Dodger-themed attractions that incorporate the club's history in Brooklyn and Los Angeles all over the facility.  Heck, they even brought over one of those giant bobbleheads for fans to enjoy.  They expect everything to be up and ready by the start of the first Spring game on March 4th.  Below is a bullet point list of the new additions:
(pic via Bill Plunkett on twitter)
  • Lasorda Bobblehead: Evidenced by Jon SooHoo's photo above, the Dodgers brought their Tommy Lasorda Hall of Fame bobblehead located adjacent to the Dodger Major League building.
  • Dodger Mini-Scoreboard: A mini Dodger scoreboard, resembling the Dodger Vision scoreboard at Dodger Stadium, will welcome fans as they enter the Dodger Major League practice fields. The scoreboard provides another photo opportunity for fans right before they make their way to the Dodger Major League practice fields.
  • Dodger Replica Field Scoreboard:  The scoreboard on the Dodger replica practice field has been transformed to resemble the look of the scoreboard at Dodger Stadium. This added feature is part of the overall effort to enhance the Los Angeles Dodger brand at Camelback Ranch-Glendale.
  • All-Star Panels:  Ten All-Star panels will line the Legends Walk which surrounds the lake. These panels will celebrate Dodger players and managers who made All-Star appearances: an All-Star manager card features Tommy Lasorda, an All-Star pitcher card features Fernando Valenzuela, an All-Star catcher card features Mike Piazza, an All-Star first baseman card features Gil Hodges, an All-Star second baseman card features Jackie Robinson, an All-Star shortstop card features Pee Wee Reese, an All-Star third baseman card features Ron Cey, an All-Star left fielder card features Tommy Davis, an All-Star center fielder card features Duke Snider and an All-Star right fielder card features Shawn Green. All cards list each Dodger All-Star to date in every respective position and will be updated annually.
  • LA logo sculpture:  An LA logo sculpture will be located near the Dodger practice fields. Similar to the LA logo sculpture located at the Loge entrance at Dodger Stadium, the iconic logo provides fans with another memorable photo opportunity at Camelback Ranch-Glendale and is a nod to the team's home in Los Angeles. It will sit adjacent to the waterfall at the lake's edge.
  • MVP baseballs:  The Legends Walk at Camelback Ranch-Glendale will now also feature three-foot diameter MVP baseballs which pay tribute to Dodger MVPs. This enhancement will line the Legends Walk and will feature the names, positions and MVP years of all Dodger MVPs to date: Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman Jake Daubert (1913), pitcher Dazzy Vance (Brooklyn, 1924), first baseman Dolph Camilli (1941), second baseman Jackie Robinson (1949), catcher Roy Campanella ('51, '53, '55) and pitcher Don Newcombe (1956) and Los Angeles shortstop Maury Wills (1962), pitcher Sandy Koufax (1963), first baseman Steve Garvey (1974), Kirk Gibson (1988) and Clayton Kershaw (2014).
  • Retired numbers:  Inspired by Dodger Stadium where retired number signs line the interior of the ballpark, now at Camelback Ranch-Glendale, Dodger and White Sox greats will be acknowledged in-stadium. Retired number signs will be located above the right (White Sox) and left-field (Dodger) bullpens.
  • Minor League Affiliate mileage sign:  Camelback Ranch-Glendale will now feature signage located in the CF Courtyard that will include the names and distances from Glendale, Ariz., of each of the Dodgers' minor league affiliate. The opposite side of the sign will include each of the White Sox minor league affiliates.  (Really, though, who cares about the White Sox?)

The fan experience during games will also be enhanced.  There will be some new food items, a larger concourse patio area and much more:
  • The Montejo Patio:  Located on the first-base concourse, the Montejo Patio features an enlarged patio area, formerly 2,000 now 5,000 square feet, and is highlighted by a shade structure covering 3,500 square feet and rising to 17 feet. The Montejo Patio features an 800 square-foot bar with tables, chairs and drink rails. Designed to fit the desert architecture of the stadium, the area will also provide fan-favorite food options.
  • Concessions:  New to Camelback Ranch-Glendale's concession menu will be an 18-inch slice of pizza, bacon-on-a-stick, kabobs and frozen yogurt.
  • Weekends at the Ranch:  At all Friday-Sunday home games, indicated as Weekend Premier games on the schedule, fans can enjoy exclusive photo opportunities, live music, special activities for kids and much more.
  • Weekend Eighteen|76 Legends Deck:  The Eighteen|76 Legends Deck is an all-inclusive experience at Weekend Premier games that includes a deluxe ballpark menu served from stadium opening until the end of the sixth inning. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are available throughout the game. A former Dodger or White Sox player will visit the Eighteen|76 Legends Deck during the game.
  • Senior Stroll:  Seniors Stroll the Bases every Wednesday. Just like legends of the past, seniors can stroll the bases following every Wednesday game.
  • Uptown Alley Family Sundays:  Children ages 12 and under receive a lawn seat for just $3 at all Sunday games courtesy of Uptown Alley-Surprise. There is a limit of four discounted lawn seats for each full-price adult ticket. The $3 lawn tickets are available on the day of the game only at the ticket office. Following the game, children can run the bases.
BTW, tickets appear to be going fast.  The game against the Giants on Friday, March 27 is already sold out and three games have limited availability: Friday, March 13 vs. the Reds, Saturday, March 14 vs. the Indians and Thursday, March 19 vs. the Angels. Tickets can be purchased online at Dodgers.com/Spring or via the phone by calling 800-905-3315.  You may also buy tickets at the Camelback Ranch box office.

Pic at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.

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