Imagine Our RV Dreams: 2022 Spring Training in Tempe, Arizona

We spent another Spring Training volunteering with the Tempe Diablos for the Los Angeles Angels.

And again we volunteered along with our good friends, Linda & Randy, who we met the first year we volunteered which was 2019!

On opening day they had this balloon arrangement set up welcoming fans and perfect for photos.

I like to see which players get their photos at the entrance to the stadium each year. This year it was Shohei Ohtani, David Fletcher, Anthony Rendon, and Mike Trout.

Before every game we have our team meeting where we get any special instructions for that game. Dennis leads those meetings.

A sneak selfie with Linda & Randy.

I had a nice surprise this year when my co-worker from Experian and "sister", Teresa, visited us at the game. They are regular Angels spring training visitors but over the past couple years they missed due to the pandemic. It was great to see her and her husband, Cesar, again.


We look so much alike! (We do share a last name and spell it the same way.)

At one game the local news, Arizona's Family Channel 3, was there and interviewed Al. Michael Raimondi was the reporter and a real nice guy.

Here are some behind the scenes photos of Al's interview.

Shohei Ohtani pitching

Al's section is the next one over from mine so we had a lot of time to talk to Michael between filming.

Michael picked an Angels game to do the story and it just so happen to be a game that Ohtani was pitching. Coincidence? I think not!

Another Ohtani photo

Then Michael used a small GoPro to film some shots with Al talking with fans in the front row.

Al and some of the other ushers down by the front row of their sections.

Sharing a hot dog with Michael

If you want to see the TV story, this blog entry has the link:

https://imagineourrvdreams.blogspot.com/2022/03/al-makes-news-in-arizona.html

It was an unexpected experience at the game but we enjoyed the attention Al got and meeting Michael.

This is my view of the game as I usher. My section often has some empty seats since they are seats given to the players families.

Our friend, Randy, at his usher station further down the first base line.

It was great to see season ticket owners, Jim and Janie again this season. They moved their season ticket seats up higher in my section due to Jim's knee problems getting up and down the steps. It was great having them closer to where I stand for the games so we can talk more.

One game was the check presentation from the group who supplies the volunteers, Tempe Diablos, to the various local charities.

Another volunteer friend we've made is Holly (and her husband, Tony). We met our first year of volunteering as ticket takers and have been friends since.

This fan made these hearts out of wood.

The Budweiser Clydesdale horses were back for a game. The confusing part was the Angels were not playing the St. Louis Cardinals so why did they appear at a game against the San Francisco Giants??? Either way, I always love to see them.

On walk breaks to stretch my legs, I took some photos from various points around the stadium. I love how small the spring training stadiums are to watch games.

Janie & Jim with our volunteer coordinator, Arnold

The Angels outfielders were having some fun trying to throw a baseball through a tiny hole above the 420 mark on the outfield fence. When they missed it made a loud noise as it bounced off the wall.

Outfielders Mike Trout and Dexter Fowler

Unfortunately Dexter experienced a torn ACL in April and was out the rest of the season. Then in July Trout was out for weeks with a back injury.

Mike Trout and other outfielders catching a ride to the training facility.

This year we saw the retirement of our Angels Volunteer Coordinators, Denis and Arnold. All of us chipped in to buy them a gift and cake to thank them for all their work.

Tom presented Denis and Arnold with a water color of Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Arnold and Dennis

This year I got a promoted to writing the starting lineups before each game. It involves climbing a ladder and good handwriting for this position.

Al and Alex, another friend we've made.

Brandon Marsh signing autographs.
He was later traded to the Philadelphia Phillies and played in the 2022 World Series.

After Spring Training was finished the Diablos threw a party for the volunteers at the stadium and also thanked Dennis and Arnold for their many years of being Volunteer Coordinators.