Spring Training

Thank you BOF.  I know that you understand.

You are absolutely correct, you can never understand the business aspect unless you have someone going through it.

But you are right, there are very few that can say that they have played professional ball at any level. 

Mine is just about to begin his 6th spring training, a new team,  a new beginning, injury free, hopefully.

BTW, I have a new found respect for players that come from the north. Son is in TN, where it has been bitter cold, something he is not used to for long periods of time.  Very fortunate that where he is they have indoor facilities for his long toss and  bullpens not out in the bitter cold.

I will be looking forward to reports from the parents whose sons will be going through their first spring training at the minor league level.

OPP,

Had to laugh about your comment regarding fans yelling obnoxious things about your son. Been there, experienced that!  45,000 people, minus my wife and I, booing our son at the top of their lungs.  Something's you just can't prepare for!

Best of luck to all these players. And believe me, I know what some of you parents go through during this process. The ups and downs can be amazing. I think OPP has the right approach. It's just baseball! If our sons were working in an office some where we wouldn't get as excited about things? 

It does truly thrill me every time a kid I know is playing professional baseball. It's very special!  Then to see some realize their dreams of making it to the top is just amazing.  

Chris Taylor;

When you arrive in Peoria, please say hello to the Coaches - Andy Bottin and Gary Wheelock. They travel with our teams to Australia a few years ago.

Look for my son, Robert. He is the "SSK" MLB Promotions Director and will visit all Spring Training camps in February and March.

Bob Williams

Santa Rosa, Ca.

Every word in that post rings true to me!

There is simply no way to fully understand the totality and complexity of this thing without going through it.  Everything I thought I knew about the 'inside' of baseball...has been reshaped in one way or another.

Not a complaint at all...just a fact.

CD - I trust Tyler made it to his destination safely!  Did he have any sightings to report of something like the biggest ball of string or world's largest frying pan on his drive across the country?

Backstop-17 - thanks for asking and yes he made it safely.  I don't know if he saw some of those things you mentioned as he spent 850 miles on I-40 west.  He did comment on how the horizon seemed to stretch to infinity and all the landscapes.  He was exausted after drving that far however and glad to be there.

He called the D-Backs and asked if he could start working out yesterday and they informed him he would have to wait until Monday.  He has a nice place with a grill and pool.  Said it was a little chilly in Scottsdale yesterday.

Glad to hear that CD.  I'm kinda wierd in that I really don't mind driving long distances, it gives a chance to clear the mind.  It is so like Tyler to be banging on the weight room door "Let me in!", lol.  Good luck to him this season, he is a great representative of the game for many to follow.