CSS and Converge takes on Spring Training: Day five

By Charles Hamaker

Peoria, AZ - The fifth day of the Circling Seattle Sports and Converge Media Spring Training trip was another unique time, as Liv and Charles took a lighter day on as the Mariners were the “away team” at the Peoria Sports Complex against the San Diego Padres. Another beautiful day game in Peoria, the ballpark that hosts the Mariners and Padres was filled to the brim with fans of “Americas pastime” with two of the most exciting young teams in the sport clashing against each other with Opening Day just around the corner. The day mainly consisted of two key segments: the game and a visit to In-N-Out. A nice sort of change of pace from the last few days, considering the amount of preparation that is heading into the next few days and even upcoming week with Opening Day looming.

Another tie! Wait, this isn’t soccer?

The second day-game in a row for the two was a packed house on a beautifully sunny Sunday afternoon in Peoria, as Mariners, Padres, and baseball fans alike filled the Peoria Sports Complex to the brim and maybe a little bit more. The announced attendance sitting at 11,909, a sellout, was on full display as all the seats of the ballpark were filled and the outfield grass was barely visible s fans sat down, laid out, or stood in the outfield to catch a Spring Training edition of the “Eddie Vedder cup.” The two West coast teams traded runs across the span of the nine innings, with the sun beating down and a cool enough breeze to make the overhead light manageable. Charles even saw a friend of his, Mary, from the Seattle Mariners team store back in the 206 as she was down in Peoria to keep an eye on the location inside the ballpark. With the regular season rapidly approaching us on the calendar, the team has been slowly making roster decisions daily, sending teams down to the minor league camp that is also taking place in Peoria, and we will likely know the full Opening Day roster at some point on Sunday.

Charles ate his first ever In-N-Out burger, and was… not impressed (Photo by Charles Hamaker)

In-N-Out, maybe just out

The fast food chain “In-N-Out burger” is a staple in the state of California and the West Coast as a whole, gaining large scale popularity and hype. Charles, being the stubborn Seattlite that he is, had heard the comparison to Dicks burgers and even the slander about Dicks from those who adore In-N-Out. He had to at very least try out what all the hype and praise was about, considering Caean Couto, friend to Liv and Charles, had gone to the chain earlier in the year and had not been impressed. Following the conclusion of the Mariners and Padres day game, the two walked the short mile to an In-N-Out location and placed their orders, Charles purchasing a #2: Cheeseburger, fries, and a fountain drink. Once their orders had come out, it’s safe to say the experience was simply mediocre. Liv’s order had been messed up at first, and Charles was plainly not impressed with the burger itself or the fries. Overall, not a bad burger per say, but it’s just average.

After In-N-Out, Liv and Charles bought a few packs of hockey trading cards at a Target (Photo by Liv Lyons)

What’re you up to tomorrow?

Tomorrow is the final game of Spring Training for our Mariners, and that will be the big focus for the two considering the coverage of the team is the entire purpose of why they’re even down here in Arizona. The Mariners (the home team this team, unlike yesterday) will play host to the Padres for one last showdown, as the roster will be trimmed down to it’s final 26-man self prior to the first game of the regular season taking place on March 30th at T-Mobile Park. It’ll be critical to get any remaining bits of content that are available to the pair before they check out of the hotel the next day and arrive at the airport to return to the Pacific Northwest. It should be a fun day to almost wrap up what’s been a memorable and historic trip for Circling Seattle Sports and Converge Media.

To tune into the game recap of today’s Mariners matchup, click here

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