Spring training baseball, golf represent the perfect vacation

Yesterday, after playing golf at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa here in Scottsdale, Ariz., I attended my first Cactus League spring training baseball game.

It was at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, home of the Oakland Athletics. The A’s won the game, 1-0, over the Cactus League newcomer Cleveland Indians, but that was really academic.

More significant was the feel of spring – which was more of a hint of summer with temps racing toward 90. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by the fresh scent of cold beer, peanuts, hot dogs, suntan lotion and mowed grass.

We had seats behind home plate and good conversation. Unlike a regular season game, you didn’t care for the most part who was hitting or who was pitching, just that baseball was being played. (Sounds like something James Earl Jones would say, doesn’t it?)

This year, the spring season has an extra week because of the World Baseball Classic. Nonetheless, it signals yet another eternal summer filled with hope – at least until the All Star break.

And when you’re not following your team, there’s golf. More than 300 courses in Arizona,by the way, which means if you’ve got the time, they’ve got the golf here – and the baseball until the end of March.