My son can eat for 5. I never heard him complain he wasnt fed well.
Having one meal at spring training proves what?
I still want to know what team doesnt feed their players at spring training?
I got the reply in a pm, I think that there were circumstances that occurred but the ship has been righted by that team.
I told son that people think that milb players don't get fed well. He was quite surprised.
Originally Posted by TPM:
My son can eat for 5. I never heard him complain he wasnt fed well.
Having one meal at spring training proves what?
I still want to know what team doesnt feed their players at spring training?
Having one meal at spring training proves what?
I still want to know what team doesnt feed their players at spring training?
I'm not looking for a pissing match. I commented I ate a meal in a spring training camp and it was good. I didn't say teams don't feed their players in spring training. I said the article said the players aren't paid well enough during the season and given enough per diem to eat well. That statement has been confirmed in the past by players I know who played A ball. Given this I doubt players eat nutritiously. Given their age and most are still developing physically eating at cheap all you can eat buffets is not proper diet. I've never eaten at a cheap buffet I would call anything more than stomach filler. I'll bet a lot of young minor leaguers are clueless regarding nutrition. So all we have is a disagreement. I'm not backing off my statement because your son is surprised. That does not invalidate what others have said.
Things aren't the same everywhere. Our son played for 11 or 12 years, not sure anymore. Some of that time was in the Major Leagues, the rest mostly in AAA, but he hit every level on the way up.
He never made much money until the Big Leagues and then after that even in AAA, but not once did he ever complain. Never did I hear stories of not eating. Sure there were long bus rides and low pay, but I think he loved every minute of it. He thought he was one of the lucky ones.
Not a great comparison, I know, but when I was in the Army I remember making less than $100 a month. Sure everything was provided but it was still tough. I would have loved to be playing baseball instead.
I agree with TPM that if playing baseball is only about the money, either sign for a pile of money or go to college. I also agree with PIS, I never ever feel sorry for a professional baseball player. I feel more sorry for all those kids that had the dream and never got he chance.
All that said, I wish they would figure out a way to pay these kids more. It can be strange when you don't have much and your teammate signed for 4 million. Truth is they are telling you what they think you are worth when you sign. It's up to the player to increase his value. That will take hard work, persistence and some luck. But how many of us ever get the chance to actually live out our dreams. I actually feel more sorry for the millions of people that have to make a living doing something they dislike.
We call them baseball PLAYERS! Not baseball workers. It ain't easy and I respect everyone who has ever done it, whether they make it or not, they have done something very special. There is a very long line of those wishing they could take their place.
Yes, they are underpaid! Yes, the contracts are one sided! For many there's not much signing bonus. Millions are wanting to do it.
A lot has changed since Dirk was in milb leagues. There is a huge difference between low A ball, high A, AA and AAA. One of the reasons we were in favor of son going to college first as a signee out of high school was avoiding low A ball or what is known as complex ball, years ago you had no choice that is where you started and stayed. Now teams move the players up faster, which also means they release faster.
Not trying to start a match either, but I am not sure that anyone can really know what goes on unless they have been there and done it, and as I stated all teams do things differently.
This is one of the reasons why a decent signing bonus (not spent and put away) is important. That extra money is what helps to sustain how long you can keep going. That's why I tell people that college should be a very strong option for a later pick with a small bonus. Unless your folks can help to support you, you most likely have to find employment in the off season to help you live, remember that the checks stop coming end of august. Its harder with family.
I don't think that harsh is the right word, maybe challenging, difficult but not harsh. Players are not treated badly. I think the business end is much harder. Getting hurt, getting blocked, getting DFA, getting traded, is much harder for most players to deal with than finding a way to keep your belly full.
Its hard to understand why they are not paid more, but to me it is mind boggling how teams are able to sustain and move around, feed, etc 6-7 milb team in a season, its a massive undertaking and must cost teams millions.
The latins seem to get by just fine on this meager pay, you will never hear them complain, they eat rice/beans/chicken everyday and even send part of their pay home twice a month. They find a way, which is what you must do to survive in this "game". And it is very awkward when the guy you are sitting with has signed for millions and doesn't appreciate the opportunity he has been given, I think that bothers players more than anything. But PG is right on, the money they give you is what they think you are worth or will be someday, and it takes so much hard work to prove them otherwise.
Another thing to consider is signing as a milb free agent, the reality is the young guys who the team have put time and money into are always going to get the job over you, unless you sign as a FA with MLB experience (and that means more money), it will be very hard to ever crack the teams ML lineup.
I have to agree with PG's post, my son has been very fortunate to have played this game, many of his friends who have good careers, own their own businesses say they would give anything for a trade of professions.
After 7 seasons, and a minor set back son is working towards getting back in the game, so there must be something about all the "harsh" conditions he has had to endure.
Good post. Accurate.
Son never felt conditions were harsh, its a grind mentally and physically.
It is their choice. The coaches and instructors were good and several went out of their way to help our son who was a NDFA. He has good memories and great friendships. A good friend that was drafted in top 10 rounds texted him letting him know he retired the other day. Even for the drafted guys the dream ends, reality sinks in. Or they just came to the end of that journey.
Every player makes his own decisions, you cant judge one from the other. The guy who retires early, the guy who plays until he is 30.
It is very personal for each player and their families. As TPM and FF said unless you've done it you don't understand it. Our son was released, he had at least three INDY teams offer him a roster spot. He didn't want to continue. He is just ready to make a new path for his life. Doesn't mean he doesn't love the game any less.
He is happy and that's what we want for him as we all do for our kids. Every player has their own story and how it ends. Ours is a happy ending. No regrets. How can you regret playing at a level most never reach, drafted or not, its still a big deal.
http://www.masnsports.com/byro...year-round-nutrition
Just thought this might be interesting to people about what the teams are doing to improve the food end of it. This team did a nice job from what we learned.
PIS: I've read through a lot of this, catching up, but not all .. so if this has come up, ignore it.
Your logic could just as easily apply to Major Leaguers -- and did, for a long time.
But they got smart, and good for them.
What's the real difference, assuming anyone good enough to play in the majors or minors is clearly skilled, and potentially valuable to the business of baseball?
Link doesn't work for me.
By the way, I think that only recently (maybe within the last 10 years?) did ML clubhouses start serving better food selections. Now most have chefs that cook and prepare each meal instead of orders coming in.
I think this should work.
Thanks.
I found this to be the case for the two organizations that DK played for. Keeping in mind that the players do pay for their meals through their clubhouse dues, many teams know they have to supplement these costs.
DK told me that in Jupiter for spring training they had a whole spread for the milb guys from soup to nuts for breakfast each day, but sandwiches delivered at the field for lunch. It was the same for ML camp as well but they had lunch served in the clubhouse. The players usually stocked up for extras with the stuff from breakfast, fruits and protein bars, etc to fill in the gap. But he really liked the cafeteria idea much better, he said it actually was good food and he liked the choices!
Not sure if this is true but from what I understand ML clubhouses didn't provide the best meals maybe 10 years ago? Now they have chefs that cook meals from scratch and these guys get paid very well.
So with all of this in mind, I find the whole concept of feeding and moving around all of these people pretty mind boggling .I would imagine that this to be the case for most teams these days.
And yes, I am sticking up for MLB!
The difference between MLB and MiLB is huge. Not just the salary, but pretty much everything is different.