Reply to "MLB Spring Training"

quote:

Originally posted by justbaseball:
Just got back from visiting our son for 5 days in Arizona. This is his 2nd Spring Training. Some general observations:

* Daily interaction at breakfast, lunch, weight room with big leaguers who are mostly quite encouraging and helpful.

** Mine has enjoyed standing right there at the batting cages while the big leaguers are taking bp. The Rays also hold an organizational wide banquet which was fun for all. They hold a talent contest and the winner gets $2100. For example, Evan Longoria played the drums in a makeshift band. The winner impersonated all the coaches including Joe Maddon.

* Daily worries about assignment (where am I going?)...on the minds of nearly every player in camp except for the established MLBer.

** I haven't sensed a daily worry in this regard. I would imagine there are bubble guys out there worrying but perhaps you have to be there like justbb to pick up on it.

* No pay, just meal money. Did you know they raised that to $25/day this year? (Good news) Did you know that the "clubbie" raised the laundry/etc... fees by more than the $5/day raise from last year's meal money? (Bad news) Bottom line - less $$/day this year.

** Mine gets 20/day. I was not aware of clubbie fees.

* A chance occasionally...to sit on a big league bench for a game and maybe get into a game. Had dinner with a player who had made it into the game just that day...televised on WGN...and his parents saw him!

** My son's teammate who was a 9th rounder in 2008 appeared in a big league spring training game with the Reds and he called all his buddies to let them know

* The every-10(or so)-day release/cut day. Handled differently by each team...but suddenly friends are gone. Plane ticket home by noon often. Sometimes/often not even a chance to say 'goodbye.'

** Very few cuts have happened with the Rays thus far. It appears they are going to do theirs in bulk at the end of camp.
* Minor league Spring games are quiet...very quiet...handful of parents/girlfriends hanging around along with the organizational people. Played on the back fields. To me, its a little stressful to watch...tension in the air. It seems everyone there knows what is on the line. Everyone is making their own calculations about where they fit, comparing notes. Player bonding is strong and supportive, but I also sensed it is cautious.

** This sounds about the same.

* Bed time is early! Full day of baseball...EVERY day...seemed to me like players are wiped out by 9:00 pm. Back up at 6:00 and at the field around 7:00. On a day where they get off early (lunch time), one of the last things they wanna do is trek over to a big league game...a break from baseball is needed!

** This is the same.

* At one point, I asked my son, "Ever feel like saying 'I've had enough of this?'" His response, "No way, I just wanna play more baseball...I just love it."

You gotta love it.

** Love it indeed!

Thats enough for now.