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by Wes Williams
Like a sports crazed Jim Morrison, I have journeyed out to the desert for the last few years for spiritual refueling.
Spring training at Camelback Ranch refuels my soul with the sounds of baseballs being lined into the gaps and the pop of the catchers mitt as they absorb a 95 mile per hour fastball. Annie Savoy calls it the "Church of baseball" in Bull Durham and us parishoners are at the alter under the beautiful Phoenix sun.
Camelback Ranch is heaven for Dodger fans. Fans can converse with Don Mattingly, shake hands with Yasiel Puig, or get an autograph from Tommy Lasorda just outside left field. Batting practice balls are laying in the river beds and minor league games are free to watch from the fence in between the dugout and the backstop.
For those who have never been to Camelback Ranch, here are a few tips:
1. On Sundays, Tommy Lasorda generally sets up a table and signs for an hour. Get there early because when he gets tired, the autograph session is over. Last year the table was set up beyond the left wall of the main field on a patch of grass.
2. There is a memorabilia shop called AZ Sports Cards on Camelback Road about half way in between the freeway and Camelback Ranch. The prices are reasonable and they have plenty of items that can be autographed including photos, mini bats, and baseball cards. If you want to get player autographs, and there are plenty of opportunities, AZ Sports Cards is a great place to stop.
3. On his walk to the clubhouse just beyond left field from the practice field, Don Mattingly stops to talk with fans and sign autographs. Get as close as you can to the clubhouse along the roped off pathway on his left hand side in order to talk with him or get an autograph.
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