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milb spring training in Jupiter

TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
Just a short ride up the FL turnpike, yesterday was only the second time in 3 seasons we have gone to watch son in practice, not like we would not want to be there everytime he pitches, but we feel that's his time to work out the kinks and concentrate on his game without our watchful presence. However, son asked dad to come up, he's working on some things tehy have asked him to do and wanted to know how he thought he was doing. Plus, the opposing AA team would mean his former college roomate and best friend would also be there, and for the third time since college we have seen them in the same game (regular season too).

For those that aren't familar, all players are grouped into levels, the cards have 5, 3 single A squads and AA and AAA squads. Players are placed either in their projected team level or in the level they played for last season. Some guys get to split between some levels to cover for those milb players that are still up in big league camp, some players get to go with the big league guys each day (pitchers especially) in case of reserve. If the big team is losing or ahead with a win, MLB pitchers (relievers) will just get in an inning, they don't need to waste pitches due to their work load, so the milb guys get used instead.
The guys like this, they get MLB meal pay a day instead of the 12 for mealtime. Plus they like the snacks better. Big Grin

Anyway, what stood out at me the number of players that stand or sit around doing nothing. Some have off, some don't play as much as others. The time given goes to those that have become true prospects or were drafted high picks. For example, the first pick plays everyday vs. the later pick who gets in a few at bats each week. Curious, I asked a player what he thought of this, and I got an indication that this particular player was sorry he wasn't getting his at bats in at college, or a starter in HS or college is now doing a relief inning here or there. He didn't play as much as he would have liked last season. You could almost equate this to playing at a school where you might sit vs. where you might start everyday.


The cardinal system, is loaded right now, most will find their way onto a roster, some will be kept back because of back up and some released in the coming weeks. Then you get another season to prove your worth until they draft another class. Then releases begin again.

There is one other thing that struck me oddly. Looking at most of these players, you would imagine these guys are studs, I have to admit that I have seen more studly looking guys on the college level and many of these guys (except for most pitchers) are NOT as tall as expected. No way are many over 6 ft.
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FungoFungoHighly Regarded and Beloved Old Timer
Good post TPM. Business as usual. Once you're in the professional baseball "mix", players should understand they MAY get a shot at MLB ----- odds are they will just "bump" around in the MiLB circles for a while. MiLB is not a bad "gig" and has its rewards but it isn't what one would classify as a secure long term occupation. Be nice if Rawlings made a crystal ball with seams.
Fungo
infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
quote:
Be nice if Rawlings made a crystal ball with seams.


Fungo, that has to be one of the great lines of all time on the HSBBW. Big Grin
Milb is quite a life. Ken Joyce, who managed our sons in Lansing in 2006 and had a very, very successful stint as the hitting coach at higher levels in the organization, "earned" his release last Fall. Tough road when your teams lead the league in hitting and a "release" is the reward but that is life in Milb.
Well, he is now the hitting coach with the Fresno(Ca) Grizzlies and will be hooking up with Jason when they get to Sacramento in May. Baseball is a funny game and, as you say, the professional side is not a good long term occupation, for players and coaches.
TPM, very nice summary. I do think there is a bit of variability amongst organizations in terms of playing time and reps depending on your draft status. Some make it a point of letting lower picks get enough reps to prove whether they can play or not.
What those players need to appreciate is how uphill the road truly can be. If they are not getting game reps, they cannot be doing nothing. For hitters, they need to be in the cages before during and after practice.
At some point, whether they are in an organization like St. Louis, or one that provides more of an opportunity, they will get one chance to prove they can play.
They have to be game ready and succeed when it occurs.
If they don't handle the opportunity in that way, the word "Release" won't be far behind. Just the way it is.
Last edited by infielddad
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
The first cuts came yesterday after cuts were made from ML camp (those players move down to milb camp).

The cuts included 7 players, rhp free agent signed in 2006, lhp signed from indy ball, a 17 round college pick from 2007, a college catcher taken in the 42 round in 2007, and 3 players from either the dominican or venezuala. One of the players roomed for awhile with son last year.
I sat with one of the players moms this past weekend, from north carolina who came to watch her son play. Oddly enough, our kids faced one another during college.
This is the reality that many will face in the next few weeks and perhaps after the draft.
RHP05ParentRHP05Parent1,000+ posts
Each organization is different, but from the view of a player attending his first spring training, the day "cuts" are made is a very tough one. For son's team the coaches were waiting on the way to the locker room. As players arrive for their 7am start, if your name was called by your coach before you got to the locker room it meant your ticket's been punched. Your stuff has been packed up and all that is left is for you to load it into your bag and pickup your plane ticket home. If you are one of the lucky ones to have made it past the round of cuts, you enter a very quiet locker room where many name plates are gone and lockers are empty. You see players & friends that were just drafted like you already being released from their dream. But, all you can do is go out on the field and do the best you can for another day ... knowing that this was only 1/3 of the planned cuts over the next two weeks. Final team assignments are made (or not) in early April.

And just another tidbit for those who may not know, spring training is room & board only. Players work 7 days a week for a month but do not start earning a salary until they begin league play in April.

Baseball, you have to really love it because it is a job like no other! Wink
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
More cuts today, 10 in all, included one player a second round pick in 2006 (lefty) and one a non roster invitee, FA knuckleballer, former AAA player of the year.

No matter if it is your first spring training or 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc., it's always tough to watch your friends and teammates head home.

Because of location, the Cards play two teams, Mets and Marlins and each other in inter squad. I find the comments on some fan boards interesting when they post win/loss. This is about practice, individual performances, I didn't see any coaching from managers. Spring training exists for individual practice and showing your skills for the next level and whether management decides if you will progress to the next level and where you are needed.

Yes, no pay, a nice hotel, breakfast and lunch, which is just about the same everyday, and 12 dollars a day for dinner. Times that by two for guys like my son, who eats about 6 meals a day. Smile The organization allows you to live out of the hotel, and gives you a larger per diem. Some players are from that area, and one family often feeds the spanish players the meals they are used to, rice, beans, chicken and pork (not that it's hard to find spanish food in these parts), and I understand that Yadi comes around often there too. My own player has come home (early day off and one rain out) for a better meal. It's a nice diversion.
Last edited by TPM
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
All depends on how you look at things, in a regular 9-5, most likely you will find another job like the one you have been doing.
For most of these guys, it's the end of their baseball career. Yes, there is life after baseball, but when you have been doing that year in and year out, there is a bigger mental adjustment waiting for you.
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
quote:
Originally posted by Pop Up Hitter dad:
Good ole TR, tough love advice.....

You have a point too.

Going from a job playing a sport to actually facing the fact that you'll have do the dad/mom thing, and get up every day to the same old grind can be a difficult adjustment.


FWIW, this is likely the hardest job some will ever have in their lifetime. And because of it, many will find success in another job they undertake. It's more than a 9-5 job, it is a grind, with very little pay. It's a grind whatever level you play, though it gets a bit more comfortable the higher you go. It's physcially challenging as well as mentally challenging and you only understand a player being released when you are involved, or you see someone go through it.

Those that say, ah, that's just too bad now you have to go work like mom and dad, IMO has no clue or compassion for what it took for the player to get where he did, only to be released for an injury or just because it's a really tough business to be in.
TRhitTRhit10,000+ posts
TPM


Baseball in no way is the toughest job they will ever have--not by a longshot---TPM you should know that the "real world" is much tougher


The best description of a MILB Player I ever heard was from a D-1 College coach whose son was in the minors for 6 years--"He put his life on hold for those 6 years"
Last edited by TRhit
N njbb1,000+ posts
I live in the real world...don't we all? Baseball is not an easy life. You work long hours for very little pay. you get one day off month and hardest of all you are far from home and love ones.

I know of players that can't afford to have their wives and babies live with them or visit. I know a player who couldn't attend his brother's wedding,one who missed his brothers graduation. I've been told of players crying in the club house because of a family member was very ill or having surgery and they could not be there.

It is not an easy life.... I couldn't do it. I would much rather live in the "real world"
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
njbb, you are so very right. FWIW, Colby Rasmus premature baby is very very ill. He has been flying back and forth to the hospital, this is not a job that you can "take off" time for sick family members.

Son got a call up to the Big League Game as a reserve yesterday.
Unlike a non roster invitee, where you (might) have a chance for a roster spot or the managers to take a closer look at you for a few weeks, this is just what it is, a reserve. For pitchers, it is your bullpen day, they might need you for an inning, so if you don't get in you have to do your bullpen after the game with the ML bull pen guy. If you get in, then you have a chance to show your stuff off, however, that late in the game you are usually pitching to another milb guy who was also called for reserve. Yes, it is a major league game, but it is a MLB spring training game. It is what it is.

I began this topic as I thought that it would be of interest to those of you who really have very little to go on about milb life or spring training or the purpose of spring training. If someone doesn't want to read a non participants point of view, well, don't read it.

There just seems to be some certain individuals (like Mr. TR), who really have no reason to post in some topics who just do it on purpose, this is not to say they do not have a right to their opinion, but most of the times it's to cause trouble. I am not sure about anyone else, but this ticks me off to no end that this person is allowed to time and time again to continue to do this. It's not just to me, it's everyone (especially with moderators), there is a need to spark an argument, not discussion, argument. Well I guess if you have nothing to do all day that makes sense, doesn't it? I really do understand why really nice, helpful people will not post here anymore. What a shame for the HSBBW.

This is my topic therefore I am closing it, for obvious reasons, I hope all of your players have a successful pro season.
Last edited by TPM
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