Chicago Cubs: There’s some great baseball to be had at Sloan Park

Chicago Cubs fans tired of paying insane ticket prices to watch great baseball have an alternative. That comes in the form of free baseball at Sloan Park.

Many people think that a Major League ballpark is the epitome of the baseball experience. And, for Chicago Cubs fans, Wrigley Field is a hallowed ground that takes one back to yesteryear.

I tend to disagree but I’ll admit it’s about expectations.

What do you expect from the perfect baseball game experience?

My quick list goes something like this: great baseball, your team wins, superior atmosphere, good to great seats, tasty food, decent parking or access and the amenities. The amenities could be catching a foul ball, getting an autograph, meeting the players, winning a raffle or getting a door-prize.

My family recently spent several nights at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona watching the Rookie League Cubs teams.

I found the entire week’s experience of attending games at Sloan Park to be unpolished, unblemished, pure baseball and one of the best times I’ve had at a ballpark in many years.

Chicago Cubs: Finding the games

Don’t expect to go to Sloan Park and find a schedule anywhere for these games.  I spent 30 minutes walking around the gates of Sloan Park only to see signs saying, “The Chicago Cubs will see you next spring.”

After searching online, I found that the Arizona League Cubs have teams playing in Mesa (Cubs 1 and Cubs 2). The AZL Cubs teams play at Sloan Park or across the street at the Under Armour Player Performance Center lighted practice fields.

With my home printed schedule in hand, I arrived at the diamond right about game time. As I turned into the stadium parking lot, there were about 10 cars in the entire lot. I parked some 20 steps from the front gate and walked into the park for the first time.

Chicago Cubs: A terrific first impression of Sloan

The park itself is very clean. The red brick and green iron trim call to the spirit of Wrigley Field. The déjà vu is complete once you see the big red sign reminiscent of the Cubs sign at Wrigley field. The Sloan Park sign reads, “Spring Training Home of the Chicago Cubs”.

There was no cost or cover charge for these games and the seating in the entire stadium was open. A friendly security guard told me the high temperatures (it reached 109 degrees during my visit) keep fans away. In the evenings, the park is cool as the wind blows down the 202 / Red Mountain freeway.  Most of the time I tried to sit in shaded areas until the sun went completely down and then could move to more open spaces.

We found some shaded seats we liked near the Cubs dugout and sat down for a game between the AZL Angels and the Cubs 1 team.  We noticed that there were no concessions during these games and so fans brought their own food and drinks to the stadium.

Chicago Cubs: Young celebrities at Sloan Park

Almost immediately as the game progressed, foul balls started dropping in the seats near us. My kids had a blast racing through the empty rows of Cubs-labeled seats, collecting “game” balls.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

There was a contingent of 30 young males, dressed in blue workout gear sitting in the seats directly behind home plate. I quickly discerned that this must be the “other” Cubs team taking in the game between workouts.

One of the Mesa-baseball locals (they drop by for a few innings) pointed out the Cubs’ first round draft pick, shortstop Nico Hoerner and second round pick, outfielder Brennen Davis were among those blue shirts sitting in the stands that night.

We were thrilled!

Like little kids in a candy store, we approached both players to sign our Sloan Park foul balls we had just collected. Both players were gracious and as a result, smiled and shook our hands. They signed our balls while asking us how we were enjoying the game. I remember what Hoerner told Carrie Muskat in an interview when he was drafted.

“There’s Cubs fans everywhere, man. They love the Cubs and they’re knowledgeable about the game and to be a part of an organization with that kind of fan base is really special.”

Chicago Cubs: The spirit of baseball alive and well

What stood out the most? In the late innings, the home plate umpire issued a ‘balk’ call. The entire Cubs dugout leapt to their feet, protesting the call. Manager Carmelo Martinez came out to voice his displeasure, as well.

We couldn’t believe how passionate the players were for this game! This was real baseball; unpolished raw rookie talent fighting for their chance to see ‘The Show’.  The product remained pure, untainted by the influence of sponsors and high-dollar spending.

The Cubs beat the Angels 7-6 in 10 innings that night and we got to see some great baseball. We continued to go throughout the week we visited Mesa and all the games we attended were a similar experience.

Next: Eyeing potential starting pitching trade targets

If you are traveling through Mesa, Arizona this summer, be sure to stop for a Cubs rookie game at Sloan Park, it may end up as your personal “best baseball experience.”