Garth Brooks' Day at Spring Training - March 15, 1999
Monday, March 15, 1999. Associated Press

PEORIA, Ariz. How it went for Garth Brooks on Monday at spring training for the San Diego Padres:

COUNTRY CAMPER: With split-squad games Monday, Brooks was spared the 130-mile bus ride from Peoria to Tucson for a game with the Arizona Diamondbacks and instead made the short hop to Maryvale for a game with the Milwaukee Brewers.

HIGH NOTE: Brooks reached base for the first time in four exhibition appearances and scored on Juan Melo's homer. Brooks entered the game in left field in the seventh inning, and drew a walk in the eighth. Facing rookie right-hander Ryan Henderson, Brooks fouled off three pitches before finally coaxing the walk. In the ninth, facing veteran left-hander Brad Woodall with one out and runners on second and third, Brooks grounded to third.

ON THE RECORD: ``A nice at-bat,'' Padres manager Bruce Bochy said of the walk.

-- "Geez, Garth finally gets a break. He could sign for everyone who's here and not get writer's cramp," pitching coach Dave Smith quipped about the small crowd. After the game, it appeared Brooks was signing for everyone as he stayed nearly an hour after the last pitch to accommodate the fans.