Anything (theoretically) is possible in Major League Baseball when spring training camps swing open their gates in February.
Count me in among the optimists. Baseball keeps me young. The sound of a ball hitting a leather glove or the second a ball meets a mighty swing of a wooden bat, and that crack; man, immediately I’m thinking of warmer days, and competitive games. Call me a sucker; a sports romantic.
That first day at Pirate City, which this year will be Feb. 12 when pitchers and catchers report, to me is no different than when I would anticipate the first day of school. Getting to put on the new shoes and sneakers my mom would buy for me, the new school clothes (which had to be taken off when I came home from classes in favor of “play clothes”), there was nothing like that fresh feeling – until Day 1 of spring training.
For the Pirates, this is the 57th spring/season, which began in 1969, that Bradenton is home base. This will be my third training camp around the club. I fully understand that being in an MLB clubhouse is a privilege, not a right. I treasure every morning that I make the drive over to Pirate City, and later to LECOM Park.
Seeing familiar faces, from Pirates’ employees to the players, grounds crew, and coaching staff, I take nothing for granted. And, at the same time, in seeing the army of staff that allow the players to do what they do, I see a potential story to be told. Everyone has a story to share.
I’m probably in the minority in saying that on February 9, I can’t wait for the Super Bowl to come and go. Then, it officially becomes baseball’s time to shine again.
The Florida-based Grapefruit League and Arizona’s Cactus League, each with 15 MLB clubs in the spring, attract fans from near and far to take in exhibition games. Funds generated by fans to local businesses are a huge welcome for the communities that house MLB clubs.
Since relocating to Manatee County, aside from gaining a new appreciation for the Pirates’ history and earning a better understanding of what makes the City of Pittsburgh tick, there are individual players I now root for that, in years past, I had only a passing interest in.
There are numerous MLB players who call Manatee County their home in the games’ off-season. Charlie Morton, who signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles this off-season, is counted among those living here in Manatee County. To me, he’s a “local”. I’ll keep a closer eye on him during the regular season.
February 17 is when the Pirates are scheduled to have their first full-squad workout.
Things that are having me excited for Day 1.
Getting to watch Spencer Horwitz work out at first base and hit in the cage. Having Joey Bart in camp for his first full season with the Pirates. What a pick-up he was for Pittsburgh last season after being traded over from the San Francisco Giants. I’m anxious to see Henry Davis and Nick Gonzales take to one of the four fields at Pirate City and make their cases for spots on the 26-man roster.
This is skipper Derek Shelton’s 6th season with the Pirates. Watching how he runs camp (a big assist in how spring training operates goes to bench coach Don Kelly) will be fun. Seeing the pitching staff, including Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Jared Jones, and Bailey Falter, go through their throwing sessions will be a treat.
Anticipation sums up best what it feels like when camp opens. Everything is possible. Hope is front and center. Players are happy, optimistic, confident, and well-rested to perform at their best.
New coaches Matt Hague and Brent Strom will be among my first people that I hope to meet and speak with. Also, how will closer David Bednar rebound from last season? I’m anxious to watch him throw. Elvis Alvarado and Caleb Ferguson are a couple of new faces that I’m sure have some interesting stories to share. Learning the new faces, researching their past, and figuring out questions to ask them that others haven’t already suggested, these are my welcomed challenges.
You must maintain being a baseball fan to have a shot at being a decent writer. If being around an MLB club becomes a job, then it’s time to move on. What do I mean by a job? Don’t complain about waiting on a player or coach who is running late for an interview. Always be excited. There are countless others who would sacrifice greatly only to be in your position for one day.
Spring training for me is like one big reunion; a continuous alumni weekend. More and more people begin to show up and are happy to see each other. Then, before you know it, six weeks have flown by, and the Pirates will jet off for the regular season.
So, the first home game for the Pirates is Sunday, February 23, as the Minnesota Twins will be at LECOM Park for a 1:05 p.m. start. Last home game is Saturday, March 22, at 1:00 p.m., with the Pirates welcoming the Baltimore Orioles. There are 15 home games at LECOM Park.
Do yourself a favor - “Catch Baseball Fever” in Bradenton this spring. No mask necessary.
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