Spring Training

I wish for the Florida folks that their kids would have spring training in FL!

 

Well, for the first time since 2008, son is not assigned to a team for the spring. Had some inquiries but not too much interest.  Pretty tough right now for those older free agents who have been up as far as ML to find a job, it's been a tough market, so if your players have an assignment I hope that  they worked hard in the off season to be able to compete, there will be an abundance of players that show up with the hopes of taking their jobs, mine maybe being one of them, maybe.

 

This winter son went to play in Puerto Rico. It was a mixed bag of players and ages, he did well, and they made it to the first round of playoffs. I don't think that anyone really cared.  It's a tough business.

 

Good luck to all!

Indeed that is what I've been hearing too. My son has been catching for a guy, several sessions in front of scouts, who is a lefty, mid 90's, very good breaking stuff, and who has been in MLB for 60 or so appearances over two or three seasons. Hasn't had an invite to spring training as of yet.

Seems like there can't be a surplus of that profile of a pitcher all over the place?

For all the others folks here that won't have son's at spring training (yet), try to go one year with your young player.

 

I checked the calendars when my boys were in elementary school to see when/if Easter would be in March so we could travel to Florida for spring break.  Easter was only to come in March one year, when both boys were in middle school, which was a perfect time to go.  Saw 4 different spring training stadiums and 8 different teams.  Side trips to Kennedy Space Center, Sea World and St. Augustine kept us out of Disney World except to see the Braves play.

My spring training memory is driving to Yuma to watch Padres spring training for a day. A friend and I walked all around the complex. No one stopped us. I was leaning against a backstop and turned to my right.

 

I asked the guy (a coach), "Are you Tom House? I remember when you pitched for the Red Sox."

 

He laughed and said, "I'm surprised you know my last name. By the time the announcer said '#23, Tom ... ' the boos were quite loud." House was brutal for the Sox.

 

When practice ended he told us to grab some food at the BBQ and have a good time. He said as long as we act like we belong people will think we're from the front office.

You don't have to have pro players under your wing to love spring training.  I took each of my boys, separately, to AZ during their 7th grade spring break.  Both trips were fantastic.  Not just the baseball, but hiking in Sedona, hanging by the pool, walking around Scottsdale, eating at Alice Cooperstown, etc.  Probably the coolest memory was when my older boy and I were shagging during batting practice on the grassy knoll that's past the LF fence at Scottsdale stadium, and my kid dropped a ball that popped back onto the field.  Sergio Romo was there on the warning track to retrieve it and he gave the kid a huge load of crap about it before he threw the ball back to him and kept jawing at him every time another ball came close.

Spring Training is an awesome experience, everyone needs to experience it.

My son grew up on spring training with, the Yankees, the Orioles, the Braves and the Expos. My husband brought him when he was still in diapers with his blanky. We still tease him about it to this day!

But if you go, make sure that you visit the boys in the back fields, playing for a spot on a milb roster, no peanuts, hot dogs, beer or popcorn and no fans. This is what spring training is about for most.

Definitely don't like bringing any attention to myself or sons, but I've got a lot of friends on here and some of you have already asked, so yes, 'the boy' is on the 60 day DL with the Nats with an 'elbow strain.'  Rather than try and explain it all...here's an article with quotes straight from the horse's ('the boy's') mouth…  

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/...strain-not-that-bad/

 

We don't think its bad and he should be fine relatively soon, but I guess ya never know.  He's battled back from worse before.  He thinks he'll be fine, therefore I do too.  

That's one articulate horse.  Best wishes for prompt and full recovery.

 

Well, my opinion is you can never keep a good man down for very long!!!!!

Good luck to Erik in both his recovery and his success this season!

 

All the best to the young man!  Sounds like he'll be back to 100% well before 60 days.

Here's wishing Erik a swift recovery and a tremendous season!

Saw that justbaseball.few days ago. Wishing your son the quickest recovery and a great year. Love his attitude. We will be watching out for him. )))

 

Update: Again, not meaning to draw any attention to myself or our son, but people have asked, so I just wanna keep my friends on here that are interested up to date.

 

I've known about this for about 6 days, but didn't think it appropriate to post.  But since it was published today, here's the latest:

 

● Erik Davis, who has been shut down for three weeks with a right elbow strain, said he is resting for another two weeks after a doctor’s evaluation. After that, he will be check again to determine if he can resume a throwing program. Should rest not work, surgery could be an option.

Hope rest takes care of it Tough life with just the baseball, adding the injuries just makes it tougher .Praying for Erik and you

I am sorry to hear that news about Erik. Praying that the continued rest will be all that is required for him to get back in the game!

Please keep us all in the loop.

When talking with Tyler when he was in my area he mentioned this and am hoping Erik will recover and be ready to play early in the season.  Best Wishes!

This is my son's 1st year of spring training after his short A season. Today is reporting day for the Minors but son, along with just a few other's,  started before the Majors got going and even worked out with some of the Majors before the they started playing the ST Games.  Since my wife and I now live in the Phoenix area (a recent move) we not only get to enjoy the MLB spring training events but also will be able to watch our son and and those former HS and college teammates of his who are also showing up for Spring Training.  And we get to meet some of the other great young prospects and teammates in his current organization.  

 

Played a round of golf with son before he has to report and beat him by a stroke.  He had the LONG ball, but I had the short game. 

 

It's been a lot of fun so far. . . .as "retirement" should be. 

What team drafted your son? Mine is at the Camelback Ranch complex. Not heading out there this year though, looking forward to a trip into N. Carolina instead.

Indians

 

Have watched some games out at Camelback Ranch as former teammate and friend of my son is there (Pederson with Dodgers).

 

Very cool, my son texted me yesterday saying he was going to be at the MLB game that starts in a couple hrs (presumably, to play at some point).  So my wife and I canceled the rest of our plans for the day and went to the ballpark to watch the game.  Well, he didn't get to play much, but I felt it was really cool even so.  Watched him a little in the dugout too with the MLB doing whatever they do in the dugout. We sure didn't expect that in his first year of Spring Training.  I'm trying to savor every moment like this and hope some a day such event is just "ho-hum".  

That's awesome.

There are a few reasons why they let the guys go on the trips, not necessarily to play,  but to get to be with the Big League team.  They rarely did this years ago as someone thought this was something they had to earn, but now that there is a youth movement going on its essential to get these guys acclimated to ML routine somewhat early.

Enjoy these moments, they are special.

Thanks TPM,  it's definitely an opportunity to learn more about what it's like at that level.  From some of his comments to me, he feels from his observations and interactions he's learning some things he wouldn't otherwise, which he can apply to his own game.  It's all GOOD.

Eric was released by the White Sox today. I think he flies home tomorrow. We will see what the future holds. It has been fun and it has been a joy. I would not trade it for anything.

Thanks to everyone for all your support and friendship through the years.

FF

So sorry to see this. PM me private if you want to talk. Remember God is good always.

floridafan,  all the best to your son, you and your family.

 

floridafan, this is a tough day for sure, for you and especially for your son.

It will pass.  One great thing is this site has so many who know some of the feelings and will pick you up with their kindness.  Good luck to your son. He sounds like a great young man who has absolutely nothing to regret and certainly never did anything but leave it all on the diamond, while he played, competed and achieved at a remarkably high level, against the best.

No doubt the things that made him so remarkable to get to this point will make him equally able to flourish in his next adventure, whether that's back at it with baseball or a new direction.  Positive thoughts headed your way!

While I agree with the above, to be honest, it still s#@ks!  The more time the player puts into the game the more it s#@ks.   I don't think that anyone really understands it unless they have been through it.

 

This is why I tell everyone to enjoy the moments and not worry about the stuff you cannot control!

 

Best of luck to Eric.

No doubt, TPM... I didn't mean to downplay the likely impact of the event, just trying to offer specific positives to latch on to.

Sorry to hear this Floridafan...its a tough, tough business.  The hard part about chasing the ultimate baseball dream is that while the highs can be incredible, the lows can be so harsh that it hurts.  Hopefully the hurt will pass quickly and you and your son can look back and enjoy all that he has accomplished.

 

Wishing Eric the best of luck...wherever his path may lead.  

floridafan - I am sorry to hear this.  Have the young man read Kurt Warner's biography on Wikipedia.  I doesn't have to end now and better baseball opportunities might be in his future.  All the best to Eric and your family in the future.

Very sorry to hear this. What an incredibly hard road professional baseball is. 

Sorry to read this floridafan.  You'll never forget the wonderful memories you and your son enjoyed together.  Although today is tough, in the end its all good. 

I know, just sayin............

Florida

 

I rather congratulate your son and your family on a great ride. Lots and lots to remember and be proud of.

 

My best to you all!

 

 

I just spent 4 very intense days with my son &his family as he competed for & won a spot back on a MLB opening day roster...too much intensity & emotion for a parent that has made a conscious effort to stay away from this part of the "game" for several years now.
     So sorry to read of Erics arm struggles, wish him the best as he heals. TPM, hope Vance does well in Pirates system...they should have some opportunity for a hard worker such as your son.
    For those whom I am not familiar with, I wish your sons a great career and pray they reap all the lessons & rewards of life that are available thru the game of baseball.
   Best of health and success to all your players and for you parents, you have earned the right to be proud of your son's accomplishments, from the first day of Little League to wherever their talent takes them in baseball & life.
OPP

 

Like the others, am sorry to hear that news.  Keep us advised as to whether or not he'll continue to pursue this dream.

 

Knowing it can end any time for my son too, I'm trying savor every moment.  It's been a really fun spring training time for us this year.  

 

Son is excited that's he's been selected to travel with the MLB team to San Diego for an exhibition game.  He really loves the first class treatment when doing that.  So, today is last day at Spring Training and when he returns, it's off to . . ????  lol, probably won't know where he's going until he returns from SD and then onto the plane to wherever.  I've heard some players don't even know then where they're really heading.