Photo: Ferguson Jenkins Charity Autograph Booth at Chicago Cubs Games

At each of the Chicago Cubs Spring training games, there is an autograph booth for charity featuring Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins and several other former baseball players.

At recent games, the others signing autographs have included Rollie Fingers, Gaylord Perry and other baseball greats.

This photo shows some youngsters with baseballs to autograph.  The profile of Ferguson Jenkins in a red shirt is in the shadow of this iPhone photo.

People obtaining autographs make donations to medical research charitable causes for whom the ballplayers are donating heir services.  They also chat with the fans.

Fans also line up at the entrance to the stadium and along the sides of the field and many ballplayers will sign autographs during Spring training.  It is a more friendly and casual atmosphere than exists during the regular season.

This week we are showing photos of the Perito Moreno Glacier in Patagonia, Argentina, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Horse Fan Attending a Chicago Cubs Spring Training Game

At last Saturday's Chicago Cubs Spring training game, these three fans sat in front of us. I don't know why, but one of them had a horse head mask.  The fan on the right has a Cubs hat made from a beer box.

Chicago Cubs fans are a festive group.  They particularly seem to enjoy Spring training games, as it does not really matter who wins or loses during Spring training.

This week we are showing photos of the Perito Moreno Glacier in Patagonia, Argentina, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: A Century of Cubs Logos

On the side of the new Chicago Cubs Stadium in Mesa, they have painted each of the Cubs logos from 1908 to the present.  Maybe they changed their logo hoping it would bring better luck in winning the World Series, which of course they have not done throughout that time.

I saw a Cubs fan who had a Cubs t-shirt that said "Anyone can have a bad century."

This week we are showing photos from our recent trip to the Galapagos Islands on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Removing the Tarp to Reveal an Unplayable Field

The brief rain at last Saturday's Chicago Cubs game stopped before game time and my husband and his son looked forward to the start of the game.  But when the tarp was pulled back, as was occurring during this iPhone photo, the water was deposited on the infield dirt.

They cancelled the game for "unplayable conditions" even though it did not rain at all during game time.    Dave and Stuart then stood in line for nearly 2 hours to exchange their ticket.  They spend the same amount of time at the stadium as they would have if there had been a game.

They of course talked to the people standing in line near them.  They said that there was a real nice family who had driven all the way from Albuquerque to see the game.  One youngster was dressed in San Francisco Giants clothes and his younger brother was in Cubs clothes.  The father had to drive them back the next morning because he had to work, so they would not be able to see a game on Sunday.  At least both boys had autographed baseballs, which they had apparently gotten before the game.

This week we are showing photos from our recent trip to the Galapagos Islands on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Cubs Stadium Sign

This sign incorporates the design of the Wrigley Field sign in Chicago.  The odd thing about the sign is that it is inside the stadium, not visible to people on the outside.

The only purpose of the sign is to provide a backdrop for people to stand in front of while taking photographs.

This week we are showing photos from our recent trip to the Galapagos Islands on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Removing the Tarp at Cubs Stadium

After the rain storm that I showed the last two days passed through after about 20 minutes, the grounds crew removed the tarp and it looked like the game would be played, as there was no rain during the next three hours.

This was only the second game in the new Cubs Stadium, and this was probably the first time the grounds crew had removed the tarp, as it had not rained in more than two months.  Maybe they had practiced how to do it, but maybe not.  I will show more in a few days.

This week we are showing photos from our recent trip to the Galapagos Islands on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Rain Delay at the New Chicago Cubs Stadium in Mesa

Yesterday I showed the rain storm that arrived at the Chicago Cubs Stadium about 45 before game time on Saturday.  After the brief, 15 minutes of rain, the storm moved eastward, revealing a a patch of blue sky behind the dark storm clouds.

This was the first rain we had received in more than two months, although we did not get very much rain, unlike California.  People in Arizona welcome rain so much that they generally do not complain on the very few occasions when rain interferes with an outdoor event.

With the rain storm passing through, it looked like the Cubs game would be played, as usual, right?  I will show more during the next few days.

This week we are showing photos from our recent trip to the Galapagos Islands on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Rain Delay at the New Cubs Stadium in Mesa

Yesterday was the second game and first weekend for the new Chicago Cubs Stadium in Mesa.  My husband went to the game.  The big Pacific storm that brought 7 inches of rain to Los Angeles is moving across Arizona this weekend.

My husband called and emailed to me this photo to show the rain they were experiencing at the stadium.  I told him not to worry because it was sunny at our house, about 10 miles away.

I will show some additional photos from his experience at the game during the next few days, including explaining whether they played the game.

Today is Sunday, so we have new photos posted on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  This week we are showing some additional photos from our recent trip to the Galapagos Islands.

Photo: New Mesa Stadium for Chicago Cubs

Play ball!  In a brand new stadium!  Yesterday was the opening day and first game ever in the new stadium for the Chicago Cubs Spring Training location in Mesa, directly southeast of Scottsdale.

This photo shows that the new stadium offers a lot of shade, which is helpful, as it was a glorious 80 degrees (26.7 C) yesterday.

This photo shows Mesa Mayor Scott Smith addressing the crowd in the festivities before the game.  Mayor Smith led the project to build a new stadium and to achieve a long term lease with the Cubs to keep them in Mesa.

Mayor Smith is a dynamic leader who has spearheaded many projects for Mesa.  He has also served as Chair of the National Conference of Mayors and has recently announced that he is running for Governor of Arizona.  (There is a rather crowded field of Republican candidates for Governor).

The Cubs and other spring training games are a major economic contributor to the Valley of the Sun.  We have the San Francisco Giants stadium in downtown Scottsdale and the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies who train at Salt River Fields right next to Scottsdale on the Salt River Pima Maricopa tribal lands.  The new stadium is in the west end of Mesa, very close to Scottsdale and Tempe.

I have had season tickets to the Chicago Cubs spring training games for decades, as I grew up in Mesa.  My mother attended the opening game yesterday, and she took this iPhone photo from our new seats.  I can't go to any of the games during the week because I work, but I plan to go to a game this weekend.  I am looking forward to checking out our new seats.

This week we are showing photos from our recent trip to the Galapagos Islands on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Young girls enjoying the baseball game

This photo shows two young girls who were sitting in the first row above the Cubs dugout.  I mentioned a couple of days ago about how the baseball players interact with fans more at Spring Training games than regular season games.  One of the players tossed a baseball up to these girls for them to keep.

What a pleasant way to spend a warm, sunny Arizona afternoon.  I hope the parents of these girls has put plenty of sun screen on their backs.

Today is Sunday, so we have new photos posted on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.   This week we are showing Angkor Watt and some of the nearby temples of the Khmer civilization in Siem Reap, Cambodia.  We were amazed by our recent visit there, for reasons that will be apparent if you take a look at our photos.

Photo: Safe at First Base

I have had season tickets for Cubs Spring Training games for 20 years or so.  My seats are on the first base line, so we have a good view of the action at first base.

This Cubs player safely dove back to first base, beating the pick off throw from the pitcher.

Tomorrow, I will show another benefit of having seats just above the Cubs dugout.

I give away almost all of my tickets to family and friends, as I usually have time to make it to only one or two of the games during the month of Spring Training.

This week we have photos of Bangkiok, Thailand, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: A gift for baseball fans

One of the things that people love about Spring Training Baseball is that the Major League Baseball players are more relaxed, and they interact with the fans much more than they do during the regular season.

In this photo, superstar Albert Pujols is walking off the field after he was done playing.  He waved to fans, and then he took off his wrist band and tossed it up to a fan as a souvenir.  You can see the wristband in mid air in this photo.

This week we have photos of Bangkiok, Thailand, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Spring Training Baseball Cameraman

This is one of the television cameramen working at the Chicago Cubs Spring Training game.  TV cameramen are obviously very skillful to anticipate and follow the action.

I mentioned one of the traditions of Chicago Cubs Spring Training games yesterday.  Another tradition is for the public address announcer to announce the temperature in Chicago and the temperature at the game.  The people visiting from Chicago cheer with approval to show how much they are enjoying the warm Arizona sun.  A week ago Saturday the temperature announced for Chicago was 49 (9.4 C) and the temperature announced for the game was 89 (31.7 C).

In some parts of the country people may think that it is still too cold for baseball.  In Arizona, it is so warm that the cameraman is seeking relief from the sun and the heat.

This week we have photos of Bangkiok, Thailand, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: 7th Inning Stretch and Soroptomists

One of the traditions at Chicago Cubs Spring Training games is to sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the 7th inning stretch.  This dates back to the days when the late, legendary Harry Caray would broadcast the games and lead the crowd in the song.

Each game they select people to stand on top of the Cubs dugout and lead he crowd in the song.  In the game a week ago last Saturday, four members of the Mesa Soroptomists had the role of leading the song, as you see in this photo.

Soroptomists do worthwhile projects.  I continue to have very close friends for 25 years dating to the time that we were both in Soroptomists together.

This week we have photos of Bangkiok, Thailand, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Albert Pujols

Here is another photo from the last weekend of spring training baseball.  This photo shows one of the all time great baseball players, Albert Pujols, as he completes his swing.

My husband, Dave, would say that Prince Albert is wearing the wrong uniform, as Dave is a rabid St. Louis Cardinals fan and is heart broken that Pujols has left the Cardinals and joined the California Angels.

This week we have photos of Bangkiok, Thailand, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Major League Baseball

This is the opening weekend of the season for Major League Baseball.  I do not have plans to go to a game in he near future, so I am posting this photo taken one week earlier at the final weekend of Spring Training games in the Valley of the Sun.

This photo shows the pitcher, shortstop and left fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during a game at HoHoKam stadium in Mesa, spring training home of the Chicago Cubs.

This week we have photos of Bangkiok, Thailand, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Peanuts

And what is a baseball game without peanuts.

We love to get a bag of peanuts and shell and eat them during the baseball game.

I hope you are enjoying this week's photos of the Spring Training Baseball games in Arizona.

Check out travel photos of Tanzania in Africa at Viva la Voyage!

Photo: Batter, Batter, Batter, Swing

Here is an action photo of a Chicago Cubs player ready to swing.

Now, go and get some tickets and head for Arizona for Spring Baseball Games.

Check out travel photos of Tanzania in Africa at Viva la Voyage!

Photo: Cubs Game

Here is a photo of the a Chicago Cubs game being played at the Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Arizona.

I took the photo standing on the grassy area at the back of the field.

A lot of people like to bring blankets and food and site on the grass instead of the seats.

See how nice the weather is?

Check out travel photos of Tanzania in Africa at Viva la Voyage!

Photo: Cub Fan

Here is a photo of a Cubs fan.

This kid is very excited to be at the game and is wearing his favorite Chicago Cubs shirt to support the team.

He is carrying his blue bat.

The Chicago Cubs Spring training baseball games occur in Mesa, Arizona.

There is stadium seating and also people can buy tickets to sit on the grass on blankets.

This is our winter weather in Arizona.

Today is Sunday so new travel photos. Check out travel photos of Tanzania in Africa at Viva la Voyage!