Brewers Trade Ballpark Routines for Golf, Legos and Hoops During Arizona Spring Training

For the Milwaukee Brewers, spring training in the Phoenix area is mostly about baseball. Players say, though, that carving out time to relax away from the field matters just as much as the work done there.

Several members of the team told FOX6 Sports they deliberately plan activities outside the game to clear their heads between workouts and games.

Logan Henderson said much of his free time is spent with teammates away from the ballpark. "We got a certain amount of bullets we can burn every day," he said, adding that outside of the facility he is not doing a whole lot beyond hanging out with the guys.

Golf has emerged as a popular choice. Chad Patrick said he has been playing lately, and Jett Williams said he golfs a little. Jared Koenig said he hopes to get some rounds in this year, noting that he did not play much last year and wants to pick the game back up.

Henderson has been focusing on his short game at a local course. He said the Wigwam has a strong chip-and-putt facility, and that he has not been swinging a lot but has spent plenty of time hitting pitch shots from 40 to 50 yards and trying to get up and down from around the green. Attending the PGA Tour's WM Phoenix Open also helped spark his interest in golf while in Arizona.

Others have found different diversions. Patrick said he recently picked up a new hobby after his brother got him into Legos. He bought several sets to have something to do when he is bored.

Patrick also keeps up with college basketball and described himself as a big Indiana Hoosiers fan, which he said can be frustrating at times. Beyond that, he said, he and others go out to eat, hang out and enjoy the nice weather.

The relaxed stretch will not last long. The Brewers open the regular season on March 26 at home in Milwaukee against the Chicago White Sox. Players will then have a day off on March 27 before the long season continues.