Surprise is in the far northwest community of the valley and has something for everyone. Surprise is a family oriented community with great places to enjoy life, work hard, and enjoy all the recreation it has to offer. They have the surroundings of beautiful mountain parks and open Sonoran desert lands. One place you may want to check out is the  White Tank Mountain Regional Park. This park consists 30,000 acres of rugged and beautiful deserted land, and is the largest regional park in Maricopa County. If you are tennis player and simply love the game, “you cannot be serious” of skipping out on the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex. That’s what John McEnroe would tell you. This quiet community on the outskirts of the valley can make some noise too. It’s the crack of the bat and the hit of the mitt. Surprise is the spring home of of the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals. On top of that, there’s plenty of real estate to choose from in Surprise! I’ll talk some baseball first.

Lets talk Texas Rangers Baseball! 

Wow… The Texas Rangers. This team made it to the World Series the past two years, but it goes to show how really good manager Ron Washington is. There is no denying that when he and his team were denied of world championships, twice. He could get blamed of the Rangers coming short over a couple of managerial decisions that many questioned. Make no mistake, he will learn from it and quite frankly, the CEO and president, Nolan Ryan knows it as he just extended Washington’s managerial contract through 2014.

The Rangers this year will not have an easier time as they did last year, nor the year before. Though, this team is really going to be hard to beat, but Rangers fans must understand  the moves other teams have made.  The team can’t worry about what other teams did in the off season. There’s not denying the Rangers are in contention. Honestly, the experience and keeping your team in tact are the key factors. The hitting is solid from top to bottom. You look at the hitting roster, including Adrian Beltre, Josh Hamilton, Mike Napoli, and Nelson Cruz, it’s stacked. If healthy, they will remain a threat in the American League.

The pitching rotation is something in question. CJ Wilson was picked up by the Angels could be a huge blow for the Rangers.  Matt Harrison is back and a pitcher to perhaps to look out for is a young and talented ace  Yu Darvish. He should fill the void after losing Wilson. Neftali Felizwas man in the pen, looks like the fifth spot in the rotation is his calling. The Rangers will need some work in pitching, but feel they will be good enough to keep this team in World Series contention. I like the move that will shift Feliz into the starting rotation. He had a solid starting experience from the minors. I expect the pen to really stand out with a two potential closers ofJoe Nathan and Mike Adams, who is a very good of setting up for closers, and could close a few games this year.

Overall, the experience will go a long way for Ron Washington’s club. It’s the matter of can the team stay healthy and can this pitching staff hold up to get this team going in October?

Lets talk Kansas City Royals Baseball 

Kansas City seems to take their patience one year at a time. You look at this team, they have to have the players they can get, but they still played a competitive competitive season, but again, they were below .500 in 2011. Due to the financial structure of the game without a salary cap and the small market, this team is labeled of not having superstar talent. Sometimes, these excuses are not the answer. Ask Tampa Bay and Milwaukee. St Louis is not a major market, but still have a huge fan base and the team wins championships. The Royals need to seek trends like those three. Don’t ask Pittsburgh for help.

The Royals do have some good young talent on the team, and very optimistic they will compete this year in the American League Central division. It won’t be easy against Detroit, and I do feel Cleveland is on the rise. I like some of their talent where some could become All-Stars this year, representing with the home fans. From a hitting stand point, there’s no deny the Royals. There’s plenty of young talent. I do like Eric Hosmer at first base. His skills at the plate are what Kansas City needs. He’s driving in runs and came close of batting .300. Jeff Francoeur is still young in the outfield with 7 years in, has shown his above average skills. Not to forget  the two remaining outfielders are both young and produce good numbers for the Royals in the likes of Alex Gordon and Billy Butler. Both were shy of 100 RBI’s and batted around the .300 mark. The outfield for the Royals is really good in my opinion. A young batting team could help this team grow, and who knows?

The pitching rotation had its issues from last year, and that was primary reason why they struggled. Though, their best starter, Bruce Chen will be back with decent stuff  and feel he will provide these other pitchers the veteran leadership they need. Pitching coach Dave Eiland will have his work cut out for the remaining of the rotation go get their Earned Run Average down, for sure. Felipe Paulino and Aaron Crow will have to be ready in the rotation.

Overall, this team is really going to hang strong this year. Yes, the pitching in question. Make no mistake, I believe this hitting team is really going to be good this year. Manager Ned Yost can only work with what he has, and he has developed with some young players in the majors. If the pitching gets any better, plus the hitting remains consistent or improve, plus improve the fundamentals on field, I would not be surprised if the Royals are in the playoff race in September.

Surprise Real Estate For Sale for Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals Fans:

Showing properties 1 – 10 of 500+. See more city of Surprise real estate.
(all data current as of 2/8/2012)

1. $129,900 : 14250 W Hearn Road, Surprise
   
   5 beds, 3.50 baths

   Home size: 2,714 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,960 sq ft

   
2. $180,000 : 13561 W Caribbean Lane, Surprise
   
   5 beds, 3.00 baths

   Home size: 2,999 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,785 sq ft

   
3. $149,900 : 17720 N Phoenician Drive, Surprise
   
   2 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,401 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,407 sq ft

   
4. $100,000 : 17682 W Red Bird Road, Surprise
   
   3 beds, 2.50 baths

   Home size: 2,115 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,555 sq ft

   
5. $154,900 : 11735 N 153rd Avenue, Surprise
   
   5 beds, 3.50 baths

   Home size: 2,881 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,095 sq ft

   
6. $103,900 : 15640 W Maui Lane, Surprise
   
   3 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,423 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,500 sq ft

   
7. $87,500 : 15906 W Elm Street, Surprise
   
   3 beds, 2.00 baths

   Home size: 1,199 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,110 sq ft

   
8. $159,900 : 13645 W Ventura Street, Surprise
   
   4 beds, 3.00 baths

   Home size: 3,065 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,245 sq ft

   
9. $147,000 : 14606 W Lisbon Lane, Surprise
   
   4 beds, 3.00 baths

   Home size: 2,511 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,406 sq ft

   
10. $147,000 : 17050 N Winding Trail, Surprise
    
    2 beds, 1.75 baths

    Home size: 1,247 sq ft

    Lot size: 3,528 sq ft

    

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

With halloween approaching, many families are not sure where to take their families to have fun and pick out their pumpkin.  Desert Botanical Garden at Papago Park, Phoenix offers pumpkin patch, maze,petting for animals,  and Pony rides.  I researched some great places to take your families out and have fun.

Brooke’s Pumpkin Patch at Mother Nature’s Farm in Gilbert Arizona offers hay rides, decorating the pumpkin, air bounce and pumpkin patch.

See photos of October festivities at Mother Nature’s Farm!

MacDonald’s Ranch Pumpkin Patch in Scottsdale offers hay maze, petting zoo, sack racing, gem mine, western golf game, hay rides, pony rides, and a pumpkin patch.  

See photos of MacDonald’s Ranch!

Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party in Queen Creek  Arizona 0ffers hay rides, miniature golf, maze, petting farm, carousel rides, and fireworks.

See photos of October festivities at Schnepf Farms!

Tolmachoff Farms in Glendale Arizona offers huge pumpkin patch, corn maze, petting  zoo, train ride, pedal cart truck, and much more.