Growing Goodyear
Growing Goodyear
Spring Fever: Baseball, Events and Fun in Goodyear
Learn why Goodyear is the place to be this spring! From spring training baseball to amazing upcoming events, nobody does springtime better than Goodyear. Hear about the new and exciting amenities at Goodyear Ballpark and plan your calendar around some of the city's signature events.
Coming up on this episode of Growing Goodyear.
John Brown:We want people to buy into the ballpark experience, which is that happiness that person who's spending their hard earned money. We try to instill in every touch point, from the time you drive your car to park your car, to enter the stadium, to purchase a hot dog or whatever it might be that we can make a positive impact on people coming to our ballpark.
Host Jordan Byrd:Welcome into another episode of the Growing Goodyear podcast, from the city of Goodyear. I'm Jordan Byrd. Well, it is springtime. It may not technically say that on the calendar, but here in Arizona and here in Goodyear, it is warming up, the sun is shining, and it is spring training season in the Valley of the Sun, and specifically here in Goodyear, that means the Cleveland Guardians and the Cincinnati Reds will be calling the city of Goodyear home for the next month and a half or so before the start of the MLB season, and that means hundreds of 1000s of fans will be coming into Goodyear and coming through the doors at Goodyear Ballpark to experience what an amazing time it is in Goodyear during spring training, and also to witness the amazing accomplishment and growth the city has made even just the last previous spring training last March. So in this episode, we're going to get into what makes spring training baseball so amazing at Goodyear Ballpark. What are some of the new things fans can look forward to experiencing at Goodyear Ballpark, and also just some things to know about Goodyear Ballpark, whether it be some of the new seating sections or some of the other staples that are fan favorites that you may not be aware of if you haven't been to a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark recently, and you will need to stay tuned to the end of this episode to listen how you can win tickets to the New Premier Home Plate box section at Goodyear Ballpark for an upcoming spring training game. So I'll be giving you the details and what you need to do to be entered into that giveaway at the end of this episode. So stay with us. I'll be prompting you on what you'll need to do, and you'll be entered in to win some spring training tickets in the new premium home plate box section. But spring training in Goodyear is such an amazing time, whether you're a hardcore baseball fan or just someone who's looking to do some good people watching spring training is the perfect time to accomplish both of those things, and there is no finer spot to catch a spring training game than Goodyear Ballpark. So with more on what fans can experience this season at Goodyear Ballpark, including some of the new amenities and seating options. We're now being joined by Goodyear Ballpark assistant general manager, John Brown, John, thank you so much for joining us on the Growing Goodyear podcast.
John Brown:Thanks for having me. Jordan.
Host Jordan Byrd:Yeah, no, I'm really looking forward to this, because this is one of my favorite times of the year, and I know in Goodyear we have a lot of different events that go on through the holidays and springtime summer, but spring to me as a sports fan, as a baseball fan, that's where it's really at, because it's now spring training season, and it's one of the best times of the year it is.
John Brown:And I've got to see both sides of spring training, both as an Ohio resident growing up, and now as a resident of the city of Goodyear in Arizona, so I see it from both sides, Major League Baseball in the city of Goodyear for 30 straight games. And it's kind of our transition from what we call winter here, which, which isn't much, but sweater weather, sweater weather, but it's kind of a transition from that into 75 and sunny weather. But also growing up as a Ohio resident, my family were from the Cleveland area, my wife's family from the Cincinnati area. So we have both sides of the house divided. House Divided, but a good place to be, different leagues, different divisions. So so no rivalry there, but when you're in Ohio, you're a Midwesterner planning your spring training trip. It's that light at the end of the tunnel that the tough winter that you're in right now is one, either coming to an end up there, or two, you've got a spring training vacation coming up, and you're getting the good weather that Goodyear has to offer.
Host Jordan Byrd:And I'm glad you brought up that part about people coming to Goodyear because for me, I'm born and raised in Arizona, so spring training cactus league, to me, has always just been a luxury to have in your backyard. But there's that other aspect of it, where to your point? People plan their vacations. People plan trips around coming to games at Goodyear ballpark.
John Brown:My family was one of those families coming from Ohio here, and when I say you're the envy of every kid in school, when you tell them that you're going to spring training, you are the coolest kid in school in the memories of those trips. So one of the things I got to do was the first year of spring training in. In in Arizona, in 2009 when Cleveland came down. Here is my grandfather and I took a trip from Ohio to the first inaugural year spring training here. And the memories of that, they last a lifetime, lifetime. I could tell you every spot we ate at here, where we stayed, what roads we drove on, and although the landscape is different. Now that's what we're creating for people coming down here. One of my co workers call this an adult Disneyland.
Unknown:I wasn't aware of your Ohio roots, and so like when you're coming out to Goodyear ballpark in 2009 the very first season, in your wildest imagination, did you ever think that you would ultimately be helping run that facility years down the road?
John Brown:Never, might have had thoughts when I was here, like, oh, this would be a dream job or a dream place to work. But never my wildest dreams did that. I think this is where my career would take me. I'm I'm glad it did. It's, it's fun, it's the most fun job you could possibly ever have. And I remember planning the trip down here, and it was new. So at the time, Cleveland had just moved from Florida to Arizona, and it was kind of a new adventure for us. I had never been to Arizona or really west of the Mississippi until that time before, and it was quite the experience, and left you wanting to come back year after year and ultimately work here.
Unknown:So let's talk about spring training at Goodyear Ballpark. Because last season, it was the 15th anniversary for Goodyear Ballpark. This year rolling in, we've already kind of touched on it. It's the spring home of the Cleveland Guardians and the Cincinnati Reds. What is your favorite part of spring training at Goodyear Ballpark?
John Brown:Well, there's a lot of favorite things. Number one, our staff. So not only the staff at the ballpark, but our staff who helps us put on spring training, everything from the ushers to our leads to our ticket office workers to our maintenance crew, our field crew. They're a very, very special, passionate, hard working group, and they kind of had the same story that I might have told of what baseball means to them or what spring training means to them, and they want to give back to our fans. And then second, one of my favorite part is the fans who come I see myself, and some of the people come in here and similar backgrounds, and you hear from them, this is the first time I've seen sunshine in three months from from some of our friends in Cleveland and Cincinnati and to connect with our fans, not only from the Ohio area, but you also learn how many Cleveland and Cincinnati fans live right in your backyard in Goodyear and people are die hard fans of both of our teams, and they live A neighborhood or two apart from you. So those are really the two things that that makes spring training so special to me is just just our staff who puts so much of their time and effort and energy into making this a memorable experience for the fans. We want people to buy into the ballpark experience, which is that happiness that person who's spending their their hard earned money to take a vacation in Goodyear Arizona to see this so we try to instill in every touch point from the time you you drive your car to park your car, to enter the stadium, to purchase a hot dog or whatever it might be that that these are all impact points that we can make a positive impact on people coming to our ballpark, and that's where we try to stand out.
Host Jordan Byrd:Let's talk about this season, 2025 for those people who have been to Goodyear ballpark in the past, is there anything new this season that they might find new?
John Brown:So we're continually looking to evolve our ballpark in this off season was no different. So the first thing is our new premium home plate box section. This is right behind home plate. I was just sitting there today with some people. It is the absolute best seat in all of spring training. You have a more spacious seat. That's not a fix to the ground, so you can move it in or out. You have a little bit more room between seats on that but you also get your own rail in front of you, so you can eat or drink. Put your cell phone on there as well. It's just the most comfortable, best seat in spring training, and it's right behind home plate. And with the way that the angles and shadows work. It's in the shade.
Unknown:That's what I was gonna say. And I think that might be the differential between the visitors from the Midwest and us Arizonans. I'm looking for that shade. I get a plenty of sunshine, correct, but our Midwestern friends might be a little bit more eager to get out in the sunshine. But I know for me, that's a big thing is that it's completely shaded throughout the whole game, correct?
John Brown:And because of that, we know that we have some visitors from out of town who might not have seen the sun for a while. So we're one of the only spring training ballparks that offer sunscreen free of charge, so every one of our restrooms inside the ballpark has a sunscreen station to it. So if. You forget it. Feel free to use any of our I believe there's eight sunscreen stations inside the ballpark, so we want to make sure we're practicing sun safety when we're at the games as well.
Host Jordan Byrd:Those home plate box sections, though, it's my understanding that this is really a unique seating option for people. There really isn't anything else like it in the cactus league. Is that correct?
John Brown:That is correct. We wanted to make it that premium experience for fans. And we're always looking at trends around baseball, and these kind of seats are starting to become more and more of something that you see in some of the new ballparks and stadiums that they're building across the country, and just some of the the touches that we put on this are an in seat server, so you can actually put in your order with a waiter or waitress. They'll take your order, ring it up for you, and bring your food to you. You can't you don't even have to leave your seat. Wow. That's perfect. That is perfect. But the view right behind home plate, the shade that you get, the breeze that you get there. It's it's really a remarkable seat, and something like you said that you can't really get at other ballparks like that right behind home plate.
Unknown:And for people listening to this, you're going to want to make sure to listen to the end, because we're going to tell you about an opportunity where you can win free, premium home plate box seats by just listening to the end of this podcast, following the prompt, and you have an opportunity to be sitting in these seats that John and I are talking about for an upcoming spring training game. So the premium home plate box section that is definitely something new, something unique to Goodyear ballpark. But what are some of the other features of Goodyear Ballpark that make it kind of stand out from other spring training stadiums?
John Brown:So we try to incorporate the localness of Arizona into it. So one of the ways we did so was creating an AZ craft bear corner. So to your point about Arizona residents trying to find shade anytime they can, we created this section down our left field line. That was another touch point for food and beverage. Provided shade, but we wanted to elevate that area to something unique and something special that not every spring training Park has. So we incorporated the best craft beers in Arizona into the AZ craft beer corner.
Unknown:And lately, like the craft beer in Arizona has become the it thing. I mean, there's delicious craft beers across the state now.
John Brown:It has and anywhere from Huss brewing, who's one of the top craft beers in Arizona, to saddle mountain brewing, which is made right up Estrella in Goodyear, Arizona, we have an offering for everyone here, so we're excited about that. We're always trying to advance that section, add new flavors in. I recommend that area that's right over top of the Guardians bullpen, so you can actually see the Guardians pitchers get ready. Or if it's Cincinnati Reds home game, the pitchers on the visiting team, you hear the catcher's mitt. I think that's one of the pop of that catcher's mitt, and that's a really unique section. There's also our right field pavilion, which is also on most games open, at least on the top level to fans. So again, shaded. And if you're around for March, which is Basketball time, March Madness time. I see where you're going. We have some TVs up there, and I've been told by our fans that's the best spot, maybe anywhere in Arizona, to watch March Madness from up there. You you turn around and you see the the right fielder and the game going on. And you can turn and see basketball on any of our three TVs up there.
Host Jordan Byrd:And I think all of this, you know, there's so many different options, so many different seating choices that people can have, whether it's the berm or the right field pavilion or the new home plate box section and countless other of options there at Goodyear Ballpark, but all of that is under this umbrella of affordability, because when you look at prices, tickets, concessions, parking, which is free at Goodyear Ballpark, and compare it to other cactus league stadiums around the valley, dollar for dollar, Goodyear Ballpark is one of the best bargains that you can have in going to a spring training game.
John Brown:That's what it's all about. Baseball has to be something that a family can do together for attainable price point. And our berm area on game days can be as cheap as $15 if you come right on game day. We really work to keep this, like you said, an attainable product that people can come to and just feel good about it, everything from free parking to our concessions prices, we're always trying to keep the consumer in mind.
Host Jordan Byrd:And there's such a great product actually out on the field as well. I mean, like looking ahead to this season upcoming for the guardians and reds. Guardians coming off an ALCS appearance, right a couple of games away from playing in the World Series. Threes, and now you can go out and watch them at Goodyear ballpark and the reds homecoming right? Terry Francona coming back to Goodyear this time with Cincinnati, not with Cleveland, but there's great storylines within the teams that play here on a regular basis as well.
John Brown:Absolutely, and both teams were busy this off season. So when you talk about Cleveland and their American League Championship Series run, they returned the American League Manager of the Year, Stephen Vogt, Cincinnati, too. They had a busy off season. They went to the free agent market and signed a 2023, all star in Austin. Hayes. So Cincinnati and Cleveland have both been busy this off season, both adding to their rosters of really good, marketable players too. When you look at Jose Ramirez on Cleveland and Ellie de la Cruz on Cincinnati, when you say like, who are the two hottest names that people want to see, they all ask the same questions as Jose plain as Ellie playing and those are two of the most exciting players in the game of baseball right now.
Host Jordan Byrd:Well, and that's just the teams that are based in Goodyear so with the cactus league schedule, you get to see the other teams filter in and their players, new acquisitions, new stars, teams that from all around major league baseball that you get to see those teams up close and personal now at Goodyear ballpark.
John Brown:It is, I remember when Ohtani first came to the majors in his first stint with the angels, one of his first cactus league games was actually at the Goodyear ballpark, and I remember the the whole buzz was Ohtani, this new player that supposed to be the future of baseball, and hadn't quite taken a swing yet, And Solomon is first at bat in Goodyear so you never know who you're going to see come through.
Host Jordan Byrd:Spring training season has already started, but there are still is a month of activities and different types of events and giveaways that are happening at the ballpark. Tell us a little bit about some of the giveaway games and some of the other special days that people can experience at Goodyear ballpark.
John Brown:So starting on Saturday, March 1, we'll have kids run the bases for every Saturday game for the rest of the season, every kid gets the to run step on a Major League Baseball Major League Yeah, not too bad, seniors. We haven't forgot about you. We have a senior stroll on March the fifth, so seniors can stroll the bases on that day, but we also have some cool giveaways on the 17th, which is St Patrick's Day, a night game where the two teams play each other. We actually give away a pint glass. First 1500 fans get a voucher, and you can pick up your pint glass on exit, but it's featuring both teams logos, and it's a tradition we started at the ballpark a few years ago, and to round out the season, we have a leather coaster giveaway, and that will be on March 23 again, both teams play each other. So these giveaways feature the ballpark branding and branding of both of our spring training team, so you can't go wrong there.
Host Jordan Byrd:Well, John, thank you so much for taking the time and joining us here on the Growing Goodyear podcast. This is my favorite time of the year, if I'm being brutally honest, and I just can't wait for some of the fans who have yet to come out to a game so far this season, to come out and see some of the improvements, or see some of the new seating options, or just enjoy the friendly staff and volunteers that are out there at Goodyear ballpark.
John Brown:Absolutely, and any fan coming to Goodyear looking for more information. Goodyear bp.com is your best place to find ticket information, information on parking, what you can bring and not bring into the games, any schedule changes, all of that. Goodyear BP is the official website for Goodyear ballpark, one stop shop. You can buy your tickets there. You can plan your trip there as well. I always point our fans coming to air, that's a great website to spend some time on.
Host Jordan Byrd:And don't forget to stay tuned to the end of this episode, where you will hear your chance, your opportunity to win free tickets to a good year ballpark, spring training game and those premium home plate box section seats that John was telling us about earlier. John, thanks again. So much.
John Brown:Thank you. Let's play ball.
Host Jordan Byrd:Yes, sir, but spring training baseball at Goodyear ballpark isn't the only thing going on here in the city of Goodyear in the next month or two for spring activities, spring events. So with more on what our residents and visitors can expect and some of the high profiled city events that are upcoming. We're now being joined by Natalie Reid and from the city of Goodyear parks and recreations department.
Unknown:Theater in the park, March 15, Goodyear Civic Square from five to 8pm and Natalie, as the music may have already given it away. What is this year's performance for theater in the park?
Natalie Reinen:Yeah, Goodyear is alive with the sound of music. This year for our theater in the park production, join us for a magical evening of the stars with live performance of Sound of Music. Work performed by kappa, which is creative arts and production academy. We invite everybody to bring their lawn chair or a blanket and grab a seat right in front. We'll have local food trucks, a few options there, and it's just going to be a great night, and even greater environment here at Civic Square.
Unknown:Oh yeah, especially now with some of the bars and restaurants that have opened up nearby, you can really make an evening out of it. And I know that this is one that you have done a couple of years now. I believe last year was Wizard of Oz, if I'm not mistaken. So what has been, sort of, the feedback that you guys have received from residents about adding an event like theater in the park?
Natalie Reinen:Yeah. So it's really, really cool to get with, you know, all of our creative folks on our team, but also hearing feedback from the community as well to determine what production we do for the year. And we've done something different every year, which is also really cool, but really the biggest piece of feedback that we hear from the community is just how appreciative everyone is that we do, you know, local theater that is for all ages. You know, we really try to focus and emphasize our family events, our family friendly. So doing a production that everybody of all ages will resonate with and also like to go and see. So we love bringing the community together in that way.
Unknown:So bring your blankets, bring your lawn chairs. March 15. Goodyear Civic Square, five to 8pm theater in the park with the sound of music. The Goodyear Lakeside Music Festival, March 29 at the Estrella Lakeside amphitheater, three to 9:30pm Natalie, I know this has become one of the signature events for the city, and really is one of the most picturesque spots you will ever catch a concert at.
Natalie Reinen:Yeah, the venue is definitely one of a kind and very beautiful, and I think that just adds to all the oomph of this event. This year, we have an amazing lineup, and our headliner this year is actually Jordin Sparks.
Host Jordan Byrd:What?
Natalie Reinen:Yeah, so Jordin Sparks is coming. yeah, we are very, very excited for that. And like other Lakeside music festivals that we had in the past years, we do have a variety of music that we are bringing to the stage. We expanded the time frame compared last year because we added we had to add one more band. And so we have everything from mariachi to blues to Jordin Sparks doing R and B set list, lots of food trucks and artists and market crafts just kind of really an event that it truly is for everybody, all types of music, all ages, and can't forget the beer garden, of course.
Unknown:So you have all of these different musical stylings that are going to be performing. You have this incredible view, this incredible space. For someone who may have never attended a lakeside Music Festival before, what's like a top tip for them to know if they're going to go to this year's event?
Natalie Reinen:I mean, with any event with a singular venue like this one, I think top tip is to get there early. We'll be releasing our lineup of what genres are going at one time, but all of them are great. So we invite everybody to kind of hang out with us all day and have a good spot. The spots closer to the stage start to fill up, you know, a couple hours before the event. So for optimal parking and stage viewing, we invite you to come early, and you won't regret it, because it will be a great time of awesome music and great vibes with just our community.
Unknown:The Lakeside Music Festival, March 29 at the Estrella Lakeside amphitheater, three to 9:30pm Last but not least, it's hop and hops. April 18, Goodyear recreation campus from five to 8pm this is the city's signature Easter event, right? Natalie.
Natalie Reinen:All I have to say is eggs, bunnies and beer. Oh my so it definitely is our Easter festival, and one of our cherished events that we are able to host here at the Goodyear recreation campus. We have, you know, over 80,000 eggs and toys that we do give away for this event.
Host Jordan Byrd:80,000?
Natalie Reinen:Yeah, it's a lot. So we have multiple opportunities for egg hunts. So we have your traditional egg hunt where, you know, everybody kind of lines up around the baseball fields and kind of we do a countdown, and everybody just goes for it. But if that's not your style, we also have community ran booths on our multi purpose field that you are able to kind of go trick or treat style at your own pace, either way, if you want to do both or you want to do one or the other, lots of opportunities to get eggs, candy, toys, and we just have overall vibe. We got inflatables, we have food trucks, we have a DJ that will be playing the whole night. We are doing an outdoor movie. So there's lots of little hidden surprises. To finding your favorite character to take a picture with, or getting your face painted, doing some arts and crafts. Just a lot, a lot happening and a lot for you to do. So definitely, those three hours go by quickly because you want to do everything well.
Unknown:And I know that you guys have been making an effort at all of your events of making it more inclusive for all residents, for everyone to enjoy it at the same level, but I know that there really has been a lot of work in hop and hops over the years about making it more inclusive. Shed a little insight on what are some of those moves that have been made to make it more inclusive for everyone?
Natalie Reinen:Yeah. So this year, we are actually going to be doing an adaptive Egg Hunt. So it's going to be at 6pm anybody that would like to participate in the adaptive Egg Hunt. We'll have a variety of different eggs. So if some eggs that flash, some eggs that make sound, some eggs, you know, tied to a balloon, so any type of accommodations that are needed, you are able to go and on the field and participate in an egg hunt. So we'll have that at 6pm and we are looking forward to doing that. In addition, we do have sensory room available inside the GRC, so anybody that needs to take a break from the event can and, you know, reset or if you'd like to be within the event, we also have sensory bags available at guest services, so we have noise reduction headphones as well as some sensory toys in that bag. We have weighted lap pads, so if you'd like to be within the event and have a sensory bag, we have those available. Or if you'd like to completely remove yourself and go in the GRC for a little bit, you totally can. That sounds fantastic. Natalie, thank you so much for shedding a little insight on these and previewing what are always top notch events that you and your staff put on. Thank you for joining us. Thank you for having me looking forward to seeing everybody at all of our events.
Unknown:So our thanks to Natalie for providing some previews for some of those upcoming events. And all of them are such a great experience to get out with your community experience, some art experience, some culture experience, some great music, and just have a great time right here in Goodyear. As I promised at the beginning of this podcast episode, I mentioned your opportunity for winning free tickets to a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark, the premium home plate box section that you heard John talking about, this is what you need to do to be entered into win. We are going to be giving away four free tickets to that new premium home plate box section that you heard John and I discussing for the March 17 game between the Cleveland Guardians and the
Cincinnati Reds. It is a 6:05 first pitch. It is also a giveaway game, so the first 1500 fans at that game will receive a st Patty's day pint glass with both teams logos, the Reds and the Guardians on it. So you're going to want to make sure, if you are the winner of these tickets, that you're going to want to get there a little bit early as well, so that you can snag one of those pint glasses as well. Here's what you have to do. Tell us what you love about Goodyear Ballpark, as simple as that, include the city of Goodyear in your comment or message at City of Goodyear on Facebook, Instagram or x with the hashtag I love G, y, b, p, and then tell us what you love the most about Goodyear Ballpark, and you will be entered in to win that contest. Now this is just one set of four tickets. Once everyone is entered in, a winner will be picked at random. So all you need to do is hashtag, I love g y, b, p, and tell us a little bit about why you love Goodyear ballpark so much. It could be spring training baseball. It could be any of the city events that are hosted there. It could be something totally unrelated, whatever the reason, leave us a message with the hashtag, I love G, y, b, p, and then you will be entered in to win those four tickets. Well, that's going to do it for this episode of the Growing Goodyear podcast. We hope you are enjoying and looking forward to springtime here in Goodyear as much as we are, because between spring training and some of the amazing city events that are coming up in just the next few weeks. This really is the place to be for springtime in the valley and in Arizona. So for Tammy Vo, I am Jordan Byrd, and remember, it's always a great time to be in Goodyear.
Close:That concludes this episode of Growing Goodyear. Make sure to leave us a review and subscribe on your favorite streaming or podcast player app. If you have any questions or comments, email us at communications at Goodyear, az.gov and don't forget to follow us on the city of Goodyear's social media pages.