Winter Ball Blog

Kudos to your son for going to Columbia, that's a tough place, but he will be fine, the players are very much protected and stay close to living quarters, so I understand from some of Dave's friends who played in past years.

I hope that others contribute to what's going on in off season, it's a good insight into what some have to do to move forward.

This has nothing to do with winterball (but off season), but my players Oct, Nov, Dec will once again be spent in rehab (3rd time), as 10 days ago he had nerve transposition surgery. This was done to eleviate a cranky ulnar nerve and not to be bothered with discomfort during season. He should be back up and pitching spring training, hopefully. I too ask for prayers for recovery, but not to be posted as well.

Just another insight into what some players have to do to keep in the professional game.

Best of luck to Tyler. Best of luck to all of our pro ball players here on the HSBBW.

TPM - Dave has had some tough luck to deal with - my thoughts and prayers are sent!

I should have added that I would expect pitchers and hitters to have different types of offseasons and fully expect most pitchers to have to shut things down.

For parents of pitchers or other players who may have to shut down during the offseason or have different plans than winter ball, please keep us updated here in this thread with any offseason news as TPM has so kindly reported. Thanks!

Great idea CD. I would assume that many of us know very little about winter ball and exactly what it entails. I know I don't. We hear about it and how certain players are going, and later, how they did but we know very little about the day to day trials and tribulation the players go through living and playing out of the country.

Good luck to Tyler. I hope this winter makes him one step closer to his goal.

TPM, your son has had a rough road so far. Here's hoping the road clears so he can put the petal to the metal and reach St. Louis asap.

Hey CD - great to hear about Ty!!!

Been very busy (work) so havent been around much.

Darin is actually playing for the Aguilas del Zulia in Maraicaibo, Venezuela.

Nice hotel - lots of fans - last game had 20,000 attendance.

D says they take their baseball very very seriously.

Also says his daily routine is no where near as hard as regular season routine here in USA.

Very hot - language barrier isn't fun - but he gets by with his Spanish.

He is having fun - making some money - and still running like a wild dog.

Best to all and special best wishes for David Kopp and his recovery and strong return this spring!

Regards

its - thanks for posting - I just fixed the error about Mexico in my initial post.

Look forward to hearing about Darin's experience this winter and I'll do my best to update as well!

Please stop by more often Good stuff

My player has done the instructs, Az fall league and mini camps in Jan.
He really feels that he needs the off season to rest recover and rebuild.
Are your players concerned about the wear on their bodies?

NJ,

In D's case - not at all.

He played about 150 total games this regular and post season. Came home in one piece - rested for 2 and a half weeks - and was ready to go for the next 2 months.

I think he has learned how to take better care of himself during the season - and that has helped alot.

Prayers up for Dk and "D". Two of my FAVS to make the 40 Man Roster, and eventually, SHOW>Just lifted both up.

P.S.(ITS, glad to hear Darin has come to this point in his career that he realizes the importance of health and priorties because he has what it takes to make it to the land of dreams.)

Thanks all for best wishes for DK. He's got the TJ scar without the TJS! Recovery is expected to be 100% and back up and running by spring training, if this keeps him off the 40 man roster, well, he'll just keep grinding it out.

Very surprising how many pitchers undergo minor operations in the off season to stay comfortable trying to put out the required innings a year for starters. While the hitters spend time playing to get better, pitchers use other methods.

iitg, best of luck to your D!

Shep - just so you can have the satisfaction, the snub was noticed.

Prayers to you sir...

CD,
I may be incorrect as to why Shep made that statement, but this year is both of the D's 5 rule draft. In a few short weeks, teams will decide who to protect by placing them on the 40 man roster.

It also more of less let's you know what the team thinks of you in regards to where you stand in their future plans.

In D's case - getting put on the 40-man roster wouldnt be the most fortunate of events.

With Bautista in right (and Snider the heir apparent) and Wells in CF at 20+ million per yr for the next 4 years - the most D can hope for is 4th outfielder/roving outfielder status - at best.

The best case would be - no on the 40 man roster - but taken in the Rule 5 draft by another team (hopefully National League team)

That would give him more "light" in his future and more money too.

The rule 5 draft rules are different if a player is on the AA or AAA roster as there are 2 phases. It all depends on which roster a player is on before the draft if not protected. If he is on the AAA and drafted he has to be placed on the drafting teams 25 man for a year, on the AA no ML roster at all. Of course there are other rules where they can take the player off, and return him, etc. Many teams pass on the AAA phase as they don't want to place players on their 25, unless they feel they will contribute right away.

A player is better off getting protected by their original drafting team and being placed on the 40 man roster, they now have ML benefits and next spring their milb salary is 35-40K. May not mean that one will play for their big league on their ML field, but trade value often goes up and a player is also automatically to spring training, if he sticks for spring training games he gets to play in front of other teams, which is a plus for sure.

Besides, no one knows what any team will do with their big $$ guys anyway.

I've touched base with CD a few times over the past couple weeks so he already knows what my son has planned for the winter, but for this thread, I'll chip in my 2 cents.

Son just finished his 1st year in GCL and Instructs. Has been home for a week now just relaxing and catching up with friends from HS. Oh yeah, and the girl friend... He'll be off for the next 2 plus weeks and then head to the Dominican for a short 2 week period.

His 1st season showed him how physically demanding minor league ball is on your body, so after he gets back in mid November, he'll spend the rest of the winter working out in the gym, cage and continuing to try to learn his new position (catcher).

I wish the rest of players/sons here the very best of luck. I'm just begining to learn what all of the kids go through trying to reach their goals. It can be overwhelming at times and they can all use all the prayers and well wishes they can get from all of us.

Good luck to them all...

CD,

No snub intended, whatsoever. I just haven't seen your son Ty play yet. I have seen DK pitch and D play centerfield "many times". DK was showing really good stuff on the bump this past season in AA before he was promoted to AAA. I pray that it will work out for all of our HSBBW sons here in their travels through their respected farm systems.

TPM makes several interesting points about strategies of front offices for protection purposes and Rule 5. Very learned person she is and a valuable asset here at this messageboard for parents/players. Just giving credit where credit is due.

I also like what ITS said about D. A national league team would be awesome for his son to extend his horizons/career. I'm just not sure the Blue Jays will let their best hope of speed in the outfield and on the bases slip away that easily.

this is informative for me,i have very little knowledge of what is and isn't expected during the off season for mitch.he's a catcher and even though he doesn't play every game he does catch every game.i believe they treat this position much different than others,i would like to know what do other catchers do in the off season? TPM maybe you can answer some other question if i send a p.m. but here it goes,what does it mean ,"it's my protection year"?

rabe62,
You can do a search on rule 5 draft.

A players 5 year draft occurs 4 seasons after first draft for college players and 5 seasons for high school players (if over 19 then it is 4 seasons). In order not to be taken in the rule 5, a player is protected by their team by being added to their 40 man roster. Players protected are usually prospects the team feels is ML close, top draft choices that they paid lots of money to, or those that have slid into top prospect status after 4-5 years. It occurs each December at the winter meetings.

Years ago teams used to stockpile their prospects. They say that this prevents this, and for some prospects who may have many before them, this allows them to be placed within another team who might need them in big league whereas their current teams don't. There are 2 phases, AA and AAA, AAA must be placed on the 25 man roster for the next season. AA do not make any mlb roster asap, but a chance to prove their worth with the new team next spring. Players can be taken from lower levels as well. Each team picks once for each phase, but cannot if they have no roster spot available at time of draft. That is why you hear about all those free agents being let go and others as well right after the WS, to allow room for protecting players and adding new if they draft one in the AAA phase.

There is no bonus for player, the teams pay each other for the pick. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Well known rule 5 players are Johan Santana, Josh Hamilton, Dan Uggla, Shane Victorino all taken in the rule 5. BTW, it used to be 5 years, but rules changed a few years ago in 2006 when the new CBA was agreed upon.

There are a couple of other things, lots depends on a team's philosophy about a player, sometimes they will not protect a player and lose him to the 5 rule draft letting him go to get experience on a the ML field, thinking that the player will not stick on the 25 man and will get him back, the following year. But just so happens sometimes the player has his breakout year, and then the team has lost him for good.

Regardless you get the idea.

Mine arrived in Columbia this evening. Here is a quote from his facebook page - please keep sending thoughts and prayers for his safe return - thanks!

quote:

im in columbia! i made it safely! ill get back to you guys when im free. its been a busy day!

CD
Glad he got there safely.

TPM - I edited your post. there is no hijacking here. I want people to post off-season stories here as often as they like and you have contributed fine content here - thanks!

Keep the stories coming!!!

My son had a few issues withdrawing money today until he figured out ATM's are the same all over the world. I advised about the $5.00 foreign ATM charge however so hopefully he doesn't go there for $20.00 withdrawals.

He just posted that Columbia and its people are beautiful but there is culture shock in that NOBODY speaks English.

Said his first practice is today at 5:00 (does anyone know what timezone Columbia is?). First game is on Friday

Very interesting reading about this. My best to all of the guys and their families!

I'm looking forward to the updates! Just don't post the temps there when it gets cold here!!!

Darin has gotten off to a good start the first 7 games.

In fact - he became the 15th player in the team's 40 year history to go 5 for 5 in a game a few nights ago - with the last hit (double) coming in a tie game with the bases loaded.

Big crowds and very intense fans.

I hope he comes home in one piece LOL

ITS

Give "D" my best

Give me a call when you get the chance

its,

Tell him to be careful and stay safe. The baseball is great and hopefully things have improved there somewhat, but that place can be strange if not down right dangerous!

Thank you all for posting your son's experiences in Minor League ball. I too am curious how catchers are groomed, what their workouts entail.

My son's season opens today in Bogata, Columbia at 5:00PM Central time. They had to catch a flight there on Thursday (one day after he arrived in Cartegena) since Bogata is hundreds and hundreds of miles away. Here is a google-translated article announcing opening day. One can follow the gist of things pretty well from the article even though it is not a perfect translation. Technology (e.g., automated translators) never ceases to amaze me....

http://translate.google.com/tr...%3Dqdr:w%26prmd%3Dio

If T or D play the Charros, I would probably skip the post game prowl with those guys.

Cory Harrilchak, who played at the same high school as my son, is writing a blog about his experiences in the Arizona Fall League. Interesting insights to life in winter ball.

http://coryharrilchak.mlblogs.com/

My son has played many games against Cory Harrilchak as one was at Elon and the other Coastal.

Here are some pictures of where my son is staying in Cartegena. He described it as a 12th floor, ocean-side luxory suite. The first is looking out his window from the 12th floor at the ocean. The next one is from outside the building. The next two are views of the city. This is not a rinky dink operation. Their first game tongiht was by airplane and they are staying in a very nice hotel in Bogata. I am still concerned about safety issues but he has been treated very well by his Columbian hosts.

wow,
Looks like Miami Beach!

How is the pay? Friend's son played in puerto rico league last year and he made nice money, but to live there was lots of money.

Normally, this time of year, the pay is zero so he is happy he is still able to earn a living as a baseball player. The pay is better than the minor league salary but not by much. Still a lot more than zero however.

Looks beautiful! Praying that God watches over him and our other players in Winter Leagues as they play, travel, and explore new worlds.

thanks for showing the gorgeous surroundings.if it were me i'd be pinching myself to see if it's real! i hope for the best experience for T.

.
CD...

Maybe this applies to the "Overseas" aspect of Winter ball...and I want in no way to hijack this thread with political commentary...but..

Before either Gulf War my wife and I spent time working sports privately in the middle east at the height of tensions and armed conflict...my family was beside itself with worry...and we went very concerned and guarded. While, there we worked with people of 36 different nationalities.

Certainly there has to be concern, but it is worth re-interating three things...

First. While the world has certainly changed and there are idiots out there/everywhere...I can say with conviction that vasy majority of people overseas are fascinated by Americans and particularly by American athletes.

Second, as a result they treat Amercians and American atheltes well and they want us to see them favorably.

Third, the experience of being "overseas" is...IMHO...worth more than the baseball in the long run...true global perspectve based upon working in a foreign country (not just touring) can be one of the great thrills, skills and game makers in the much larger picture beyond baseball.

Tyler will come back with a wonderful new perspective.


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Thanks everyone for their kind wishes and especially prayers!

ob44 - loved your thoughts!

I am getting a lot of feedback behind the scenes on this topic and it is most welcome. I would encourage people to post whatever thoughts they may have.

More stories like ob44 told are always welcome!

If people have questions, post them and I 'll try and get answers.

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Oh, and one more thing to remember...

.to get the most out of being "overseas" one has to go in open to the experience and the wonder of it all...not just fearful...and some are...and some aren't.

From everything I know about Tyler...he is a perfect candidate...

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quote:

Originally posted by observer44:
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Oh, and one more thing to remember...

.to get the most out of being "overseas" one has to go in open to the experience and the wonder of it all...not just fearful...and some are...and some aren't.

From everything I know about Tyler...he is a perfect candidate...

44
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Thanks ob44 - He is indeed enjoying the "wonder" of the experience!

His first game was Friday in Bogata. The weather in mountainous Bogata is about the same as here in Cleveland - low 60's. He was 1-2 with a walk, strikeout, and HBP. His first ever at bat on foreign soil was a base hit so that is a nice memory to have. Yesterday's game was rained out.

We were able to hear his voice for the first time last night on Skype and that was nice. We had intermittent Internet connections but Skype is a very cool technology.

To all you folks--great thread! I am living vicariously through the stories of your sons. Good luck to all.