10 Things for Seattle Mariners Fans to Do While Waiting for Spring Training

Mar 19, 2012; Peoria, AZ, USA; Members of the Peoria Stadium grounds crew work to prep the field for the spring training game between the Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Ah, the wait for Spring Training to start, when we can begin to speculate about how the Seattle Mariners will do this season…why does it always seem like an eternity? If you’re like me, and you’re getting antsy for some baseball action, here are some suggestions for activities to do while you’re waiting for Spring Training – and ultimately the baseball season – to kick into gear.

1. Check out Shipwrecked: A People’s History of the Seattle Mariners by Jon Wells. This book was written for Mariners fans who are interested in reading some of the more anecdotal stories about the Mariners’ history. Just think, you might pick up something you didn’t know about the Ms before.
2. Get outside and throw a baseball. If you’re having severe baseball withdrawal symptoms, you may even want to grab a few of your friends and play a game of pick-up baseball over at the park.
3. Out of Left Field: How the Mariners Made Baseball Fly in Seattleby Art Thiel is another book worth reading. This is particularly true if you’re interested in how the team has gotten to where it is today.
4. Watch a DVD of the greatest moments in Mariners’ history. This can fill the void…but only for so long. It’s great in a pinch, though, if you need to see some Mariners action.
5. Catch up on your blog reading. In addition to reading SoDo Mojo, you can check out some of the other blogs around FanSided. I know, it’s hard to imagine there are other sports outside baseball, but there are!
6. Watch some college baseball games. College baseball opens next month. The guys are training now. I’ll be following what the Michigan State Spartans are doing over on Spartan Avenue. You may want to check out what the U Washington Huskies are doing.
7. Check out some of the world baseball games. Australia has baseball. The Winter Leagues are mostly over, but you may be able to catch replays on the MLB network. The Caribbean Series will run from February 1-7.
8. If you live in Seattle, be a tourist in your own city – if not, learn something about Seattle. Seattle has a lot of cool things going on beyond grunge music, EMP, the Space Needle, and Safeco Field. Get out there and explore a little bit. If you enjoy beer, why not visit Pyramid Alehouse or Pike Place Brewery? If you enjoy art, visit the Asian Art Museum. If you like music, get out there and see a live show or two.
9. Determine which games you will see and get your tickets. Sure, you can wait until that day when you think “I want to go check out the Mariners today.” There is something to be said about spontaneity. But if you know you’ll have a weekend off in advance, why not go ahead and get your tickets. Don’t forget about the Minor League teams. Going to one of their games can be just as fun.
10. Learn something new that’s not baseball-related. As hard as it is to believe, there are other things out there. Learn how to cook, fly a kite, speak Klingon – whatever you are interested in. Not only can you pick up a good skill but you can kick booty playing Trivial Pursuit or impress your friends at your next night out.

What are you doing while waiting for Spring Training to begin?