Today was reporting day for the position players. The first full-squad workout is tomorrow. I got there a little late and found out that practice was shortened today because of the activity caused by the position players arriving, team physicals and the like. The only organized activity I saw today was one group of pitchers completing one drill and the same four catchers as yesterday (and the day before) taking batting practice. The workout was over before noon.
I did find out that there is actually a drill for the fake throw to 3B throw back to 1B pickoff attempt. That was the one drill I was able to see today. Funny.....I thought that was something pitchers just improvised by the seat of their pants.......but no, they actually have an organized drill for it. No matter how long you watch and/or play baseball.....you can always learn something new.
The fans were back to being restricted to the area near the 1B dugout, so apparently yesterday was the only chance I will have to see the pitchers throw their bullpen sessions.....bummer. Activity should pick up tomorrow with the full squad workout. I don't know how long it will be before the pitchers actually throw batting practice, but I am looking forward to seeing someone other than Matheny, Haad, Knoedler & Greene swing the bat. Also on that note, Matheny hit his first HR of the spring (that I have seen anyway)....a towering drive that landed like a 9 iron about 30 feet beyond the LF (visitor's) bullpen.
The media really descended on the stadium like a pack today. All of the Bay Area TV stations were there as well as the local stations. I guess they don't care too much about pitchers and catchers...but when the position players start to show up, they take notice. Maybe they were all hoping to get a look at you know who, should he arrive today. At any rate....he hadn't by the time I left at noon.
That's about it for today. I took very few photos, a selection of which are posted below.
I did find out that there is actually a drill for the fake throw to 3B throw back to 1B pickoff attempt. That was the one drill I was able to see today. Funny.....I thought that was something pitchers just improvised by the seat of their pants.......but no, they actually have an organized drill for it. No matter how long you watch and/or play baseball.....you can always learn something new.
The fans were back to being restricted to the area near the 1B dugout, so apparently yesterday was the only chance I will have to see the pitchers throw their bullpen sessions.....bummer. Activity should pick up tomorrow with the full squad workout. I don't know how long it will be before the pitchers actually throw batting practice, but I am looking forward to seeing someone other than Matheny, Haad, Knoedler & Greene swing the bat. Also on that note, Matheny hit his first HR of the spring (that I have seen anyway)....a towering drive that landed like a 9 iron about 30 feet beyond the LF (visitor's) bullpen.
The media really descended on the stadium like a pack today. All of the Bay Area TV stations were there as well as the local stations. I guess they don't care too much about pitchers and catchers...but when the position players start to show up, they take notice. Maybe they were all hoping to get a look at you know who, should he arrive today. At any rate....he hadn't by the time I left at noon.
That's about it for today. I took very few photos, a selection of which are posted below.
6 comments:
Don't expect HIM til the last possible day. What's the buzz on the retirement/unretirement web articles?
HE has always been on time in the past....but according to the collective bargaining agreement......players do not HAVE to be to Spring Training until March 2nd.
DRB....I don't know about the 100 MPH but he was up with the Tigers at the tender age of 21......so he must have had something. According to the roster they passed out at the stadium, Matt was with the Rockies last year 4.21 ERA in 47 innings in Colorado Springs and 12.60 ERA in 10 innings with the Rockies. He did have 50 K's in a total of 57 innings.....so he still must have a little something.
I appreciate what you're doing as this stuff almost never gets in-depth coverage by the media. And the photos are great.
Thanks for what you're doing; keep it up!
I know you heard it a million times, but great pics brother!! I never been to spring training. Your field pics give a real prospective of what happens down there.
I am glad that everyone enjoys my blog. The response has been overwhelming. An average of 241 hits per day (over 500 per day over this weekend) coming from all over the USA and the world. Amazing. I meant this for about 20 people or so. I had no idea.
Post a Comment