http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/en-UShttp://backend.userland.com/rss092http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/93/7b49bc0569f7db38299beed2d607f6_160x200.jpg <p>The recovery of Dodgers pitcher Jason Schmidt is progressing, but it’s still unclear if the right-hander will be ready to join the rest of his teammates at the beginning of spring training next month.</p> <p>Schmidt has been playing catch -- making about 110 pitches per day -- but didn’t start throwing off a mound until last week.</p> <p>“As far as his rehab has gone, he has not any setbacks at this point," Dodgers’ head trainer Stan Conte said during a workout Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. “He’s thrown off the mound but it’s not a bullpen, starting last week. We still have a significant amount of stuff we have to do to get him competitive.”</p> <p>Schmidt was acquired by the Dodgers before the 2007 season but appeared in only six games before being shelved by surgery to his right shoulder. The Dodgers have taken a conservative approach in his recovery and are pleased with the progress he has made so far.</p> <p>Conte will visit Schmidt in Arizona the week before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for spring training. Rather than make a decision based on the reporting date, Conte wants the condition of Schmidt’s shoulder to be the determining factor.</p> <p>“The key is if he can get up to the next level each time, and each time that we’ve moved his rehab up to the next level, he has,” Conte said. “We won’t really know what he’s going to do in the first day of spring training until about a week before. The main thing is that he keeps making progress and is 100 percent for the season.”</p> <p>Right-handed relief pitcher Yhency Brazoban opted to sign a contract with the Dodgers rather than take the team to arbitration.</p> <p>Brazoban returned from Tommy John surgery in the middle of last season but went back on the disabled list after appearing in four games. Surgery to his right shoulder ended his season.<br> His new one-year contract is worth $540,000.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2008/01/17/dodgers_pitcher_uncertain_for_start_of_s~3592416/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2008/01/17/dodgers_pitcher_uncertain_for_start_of_s~3592416/Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:11:35 +0100 <p>Gil Meche didn't need an exhaustive video session to identify what went wrong in the first two innings of his start on Monday against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.<br> A short clip on the late television news confirmed what Meche already knew. </p> <p>"I just flipped through the television and could see what I was doing wrong after just two pitches," Meche said. "I wasn't keeping my front shoulder still. ... I was jerking it out of the way. The next thing you know everything is flat." </p> <p>That brought about the first of two visits to the mound by pitching coach Rafael Chaves, who set Meche straight. </p> <p>The result? After throwing 52 pitches in the first two innings, Meche sailed through the next five innings, needing just 60 pitches. </p> <p>Meche's mechanical adjustment helped him win for the first time since April 6, although the right-hander has pitched well in his last four starts. During that stretch, Meche hasn't yielded more than three runs in any of those starts. </p> <p>"There were a couple of times where he was flying open so fast and so quick and was falling across the mound," Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said. "Chavy [Chaves] made two trips and he was golden after that." </p> <p>As much as Meche (2-2, 4.58 ERA) tries to keep a clear head, he knows that, mechanically, he has to be sound. There are several checkpoints to make sure his delivery is smooth and his pitches are effective. </p> <p>Really, it's a lot to think about. </p> <p>"You work on mechanics, but you try not to overload it and think too much about it," Meche said. "That's why we have pitching coaches or Jo [catcher Kenji Johjima] to come out there and tell me what they see. It's a matter of trying to be consistent." </p> <p>Snelling sighting: Oft-injured Australian outfielder Chris Snelling was working a crossword puzzle in the Mariners clubhouse three hours before the game on Tuesday. </p> <p>Snelling, who has been at the Mariners' Spring Training facility in Arizona working his way back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, was in Seattle to meet with team doctors to see what his next course of action is. </p> <p>"He's here to get evaluated by the doctor and figure out where he's going next on his rehab [assignment]," Hargrove said of Snelling, who took batting practice before the game. </p> <p>Snelling will start a Minor League rehabilitation assignment on Wednesday at Triple-A Tacoma. </p> <p>Snelling torn the ACL in his left knee for the second time in his career in August while playing for the Mariners. He missed the 2004 season after he broke the hamate bone in his right hand. </p> <p>Snelling has a career .214 batting average in 56 Major League at-bats in 2002 and last season, a year in which he hit .276 in 15 games. </p> <p>Guardado not content: Deposed closer Eddie Guardado tossed a scoreless inning in Seattle's victory over Tampa Bay on Monday, his second scoreless frame since he was removed as the team's closer on May 4. </p> <p>And while Guardado is happy with the way he's pitched -- he struck out two of the three hitters he faced on Monday -- the left-hander said being a setup man is different than closing. </p> <p>"It's not the same," Guardado said. "It's a sick feeling to me because I do care. It's my job to close. But I've got to do my job to help this team win. These guys depend on me." </p> <p>Hargrove thinks Guardado's two scoreless innings will go a long way in repairing the left-hander's confidence after he blew three save opportunities and lost two games. </p> <p>"I think it's a matter of Eddie getting his confidence back," Hargrove said. "It's a matter of him settling in. We all want for him to be the closer. I firmly believe that we'll move back in that direction. But for right now we aren't." </p> <p>J.J. Putz has picked up two saves in the last three days since taking over for Guardado. </p> <p>Mariners log: Jeremy Reed started Monday's game, marking the first time since April 30 that he's started. ... Seattle pitcher Jarrod Washburn is fifth in the American League in home ERA (2.15). ... The Mariners starting pitchers rank fourth in the American League in ERA (4.10). ... Jose Lopez, who leads the team with 24 RBIs, has driven in 22 of those runs with men in scoring position. His 22 RBIs with MISP are tied for first in the American League with Troy Glaus of the Blue Jays. ... Heading into Tuesday's game, the Mariners owned a 46-30 record over the Devil Rays.</p> <p>On deck: Seattle sends left-hander Jamie Moyer (1-2, 3.68 ERA) to the mound to face Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir (4-2, 3.43 ERA) at 1:35 p.m. PT on Wednesday at Safeco Field in the final game of the three-game series. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/05/10/meche_fxes_mechanics~789918/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/05/10/meche_fxes_mechanics~789918/Wed, 10 May 2006 19:26:24 +0200 <p>Florida legislators look ready to go to bat for Major League Baseball after a record-breaking 2006 spring training season.</p> <p>Hoping to stave off Arizona raids on Florida's Grapefruit League -- the professional baseball teams that train throughout the state each spring -- the Florida House voted 117-0 on Tuesday to help fix aging facilities where some of the teams train.</p> <p>Among those likely to benefit is the city of Fort Lauderdale, where the Baltimore Orioles train.</p> <p>"Spring training brings $450 million a year to Florida. We built the field of dreams and they came. Now we need to fund the maintenance of the facilities or they will go," said Rep. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, chairwoman of the House Tourism Committee. "Let's keep baseball in Florida."</p> <p>The bill still needs to be considered by the state Senate. </p> <p>The Washington Statesmen were the first to travel to Florida for an "off season" workout in 1888. Now Florida leads the nation as the spring home to 18 MLB teams in 17 venues.</p> <p>Florida already provides more than $53 million in tax rebates to five municipalities so that they can upgrade or build new stadiums for the Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies' new stadium, Bright House Networks Field, opened in Clearwater in 2004.</p> <p>The bill (HB 7089) would allow another five cities hosting teams with less than five years remaining on their leases to apply for a total of up to $75 million in tax rebates -- or up to $15 million apiece -- for 30 years. Those teams include the Orioles (Fort Lauderdale), Cincinnati Reds (Sarasota), Cleveland Indians (Winter Haven), Pittsburgh Pirates (Bradenton) and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (St. Petersburg). The municipalities need to match the state funds. </p> <p>"This is a field of green, as in money, and it's important to the economy of Florida," said Rep. Dick Kravitz, R-Jacksonville. Two teams -- the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers -- moved to Arizona from Florida in 2003.</p> <p>"Other cities have received this in past years and we're hoping to upgrade our spring training, which has been a great tradition since the 1960s when the Yankees trained here," said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle, who traveled to Tallahassee earlier this spring to support the Senate version of the bill. "The Orioles have been a great team, a good fit for our city." </p> <p>Although no plans have been finalized, it's expected that a new ballpark would be built to replace the 45-year-old Fort Lauderdale Stadium, spring home to the Orioles since 1996. </p> <p>The Orioles, who operate the stadium, want to make sure there are enough surrounding practice fields to accommodate their major and minor league operations.</p> <p>"We've always felt this is a great infrastructure development initiative and economic impact initiative," Orioles Executive Vice President John Angelos said. </p> <p>"We're happy to know at least the members of the House of Representatives view it that way as well."</p> <p>Florida spring training broke attendance records this year, attracting more than 1.6 million fans. The Orioles played 14 games with a total attendance of 80,219 -- an average of 5,730 a game. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/04/29/spring_training_bill_passes~765026/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/04/29/spring_training_bill_passes~765026/Sat, 29 Apr 2006 19:44:59 +0200 <p>As reigning World Series champions, the Chicago White Sox are pinning their advertising dollars on a short simple theme this year: Again.<br> David Stevenson, president of Two-by-Four, the team's advertising agency, told the Chicago Sun-Times the word will appear in print ads on buses, and be spoken as a closer on radio ads.</p> <p>Last year, most of the ads revolved around Sox players, with the slogan Win or die trying, but this year, actual Sox fans will share a starring role.</p> <p>Photos of fans will be used and one radio ad features a 9-year-old girl recorded heckling last year.</p> <p>The first TV spot will show spring training footage and the World Series celebration, and end with one word appearing: Again.</p> <p>Last season the White Sox won their first World Series title in 88 years.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/04/05/white_sox_ads_have_one_focus_again~705338/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/04/05/white_sox_ads_have_one_focus_again~705338/Wed, 05 Apr 2006 19:46:42 +0200 <p>Al Leiter got one last out, then called it a career. The New York Yankees' left-hander retired Sunday after pitching to one batter in a 2-0 win over the Cleveland Indians. Time was called after Eduardo Perez grounded out, and Leiter handed the ball to Yankees pitching coach Ron Guidry. Alex Rodriguez patted Leiter on the head and he began a slow, teary walk off the field for the final time.</p> <p>He sat in New York's dugout until the Yankees turned an inning-ending double play, then got hugs and warm wishes from his teammates.</p> <p>"It feels good to be able to go out on your own terms," Leiter said in Tampa, Fla. "I love the game very much, but when you were a certain type of player for a few years, being a front-end starter, that's the way I still think I can pitch. But the body tells you no.</p> <p>"It feels right. Family, kids, I'm constantly being asked when I'm coming home." </p> <p>Leiter and several Yankees had just returned from the World Baseball Classic, and New York had most of its stars for the first time since the exhibition opener.</p> <p>Leiter, a 40-year-old left-hander with two World Series rings, had hinted about calling it a career for some time. Perez, the son of Hall of Famer Tony Perez, was thrilled to be a small part of his retirement.</p> <p>"We go way back and it was an honour to be his last hitter," Perez said. "He's a class act. The competitor, the cutter, the never-say-die attitude. That's been Al Leiter."</p> <p>Earlier, Leiter, a two-time all-star who pitched a no-hitter in 1996, soaked in his last day in uniform as a major leaguer. He posed for photos with Yankees manager Joe Torre and spent about 15 minutes chatting with New York general manager Brian Cashman.</p> <p>In Phoenix, Oakland's Barry Zito went six innings and threw a spring-high 87 pitches in an 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs in a split-squad game.</p> <p>Zito gave up three runs and six hits, and finished with three strikeouts. He'd like to get up to 100 pitches Friday night when he faces the San Diego Padres.</p> <p>"I'm trying not to be too fine and guide the ball out of my hands," he said. "I have to stop worrying about where it goes and just pick up my spot and let it go. I threw a couple of bad sliders today but then I got a better feel for it.</p> <p>"That's the good thing about spring; you can lose the feel and get it right back. It's about making adjustments."</p> <p>At Dunedin, Fla., the Toronto Blue Jays said A.J. Burnett's MRI showed scar tissue breaking away in his right elbow.</p> <p>Burnett left Toronto's 8-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Saturday after throwing 18 pitches, and the Blue Jays initially feared the right-hander had a serious injury.</p> <p>Burnett had Tommy John surgery three years ago.</p> <p>"We got good news," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said before a 9-7 loss to the Pirates in Bradenton. "The X-rays came back good, it's probably just a little scar tissue. It's big, big news."</p> <p>Burnett, who was 12-12 with a 3.44 ERA with the Marlins in 2005, was relieved that it wasn't as serious as it first appeared.</p> <p>"Obviously, any setback is not good, but when the good news came that it was scar tissue, not anything with the ligaments, it was good news and I am relieved," Burnett said. "It was scary, when you break the scar tissue up it feels like you are doing the same thing all over again."</p> <p>The Red Sox, who beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 in Fort Myers, Fla., agreed to a minor league contract with oft-injured outfielder Juan Gonzalez.</p> <p>Gonzalez was expected to join the team for Tuesday's home game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He has 434 homers, 1,404 RBIs and a .295 batting average in 17 major league seasons.</p> <p>Also, Boston icon Johnny Pesky broke a bone in his lower leg when he was hit by a line drive at a college game.</p> <p>The lovable Pesky, who serves as a Red Sox instructor during spring training, sustained a non-displaced fracture of the left fibula near his ankle on Saturday while watching a game between Suffolk University of Boston and Denison of Ohio on a back field at Red Sox camp.</p> <p>At Surprise, Ariz., Kansas City Royals closer Mike MacDougal has a strained muscle in his right arm and is expected to miss at least a month. Manager Buddy Bell said he would use 21-year-old right-hander Ambiorix Burgos as the closer in MacDougal's absence.</p> <p>The Royals beat a split squad of San Francisco Giants 6-3 but two other Cactus League games were rained out.</p> <p>In other spring training games:</p> <p>Cardinals 11, Braves 2</p> <p>At Jupiter, Fla., St. Louis starter Sidney Ponson allowed two runs and four hits in five solid innings.</p> <p>Pirates 9, Blue Jays 7</p> <p>At Bradenton, Fla., Oliver Perez gave up a two-run homer to Shea Hillenbrand while lasting two innings in his first Pirates start this spring.</p> <p>Perez pitched on two days' rest after earning the win in Mexico's 2-1 victory over the United States on Thursday in the WBC.</p> <p>Tigers 5, Astros 2</p> <p>At Kissimmee, Fla., Astros starter Roy Oswalt allowed six hits and two runs in six innings, his longest outing of the spring. He threw 60 of 92 pitches for strikes.</p> <p>Reds 5, Phillies 4</p> <p>At Sarasota, Fla., Aaron Harang threw four scoreless innings and Reds third baseman Edwin Encarnacion had a two-run double.</p> <p>Devil Rays 6, Twins 5</p> <p>At St. Petersburg, Fla., Jorge Cantu hit a two-run double in his first spring plate appearance for the Devil Rays.</p> <p>Marlins 5, Mets 0</p> <p>At Port St. Lucie, Fla., Florida starter Scott Olsen threw five shutout innings and Mike Jacobs hit a two-run homer.</p> <p>Dodgers 9, Nationals 1</p> <p>At Vero Beach, Fla., Ricky Ledee and Bill Mueller homered for the Dodgers and Derek Lowe tossed six strong innings.</p> <p>Brewers 4, Giants 2</p> <p>At Scottsdale, Ariz., Mike Rivera hit a two-run homer and Milwaukee's David Bush allowed two runs in five innings.</p> <p>The Giants pulled Barry Bonds and Steve Finley out of the lineup early in the morning, not wanting to risk an injury to either outfielder on the slick field.</p> <p>Brewers 8, White Sox 7</p> <p>At Phoenix, Brady Clark and Prince Fielder each hit a two-run single in Milwaukee's five-run second inning.</p> <p>Rangers 2, Cubs 0 </p> <p>At Mesa, Ariz., Chicago starter Carlos Zambrano struck out seven and allowed two runs in five innings.</p> <p>Rockies 8, Mariners 5</p> <p>At Peoria, Ariz., Jeff Baker hit a two-run single for Colorado.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/03/20/spring_training_roundup~661888/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/03/20/spring_training_roundup~661888/Mon, 20 Mar 2006 19:56:00 +0100 <p>Opie, not Ozzie, brought the starting lineup card to home plate for the Chicago White Sox against the Los Angeles Angels yesterday.</p> <p>Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard showed up in the White Sox spring training complex sporting a Chicago uniform while taking a break from editing "The Da Vinci Code," his latest expected blockbuster film.</p> <p>The former television star of "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Happy Days" - a diehard baseball fan - shagged fly balls in pregame warmups for the White Sox and then turned in the starting lineup instead of manager Ozzie Guillen.</p> <p>"I have always wanted to be a fly on the wall at a major league training facility," Howard said. "I am really a (Los Angeles) Dodger fan, but more than anything I am a fan of the game. This is a great thrill for me."</p> <p>Howard received an invitation from Chicago hitting coach Greg Walker, a longtime friend, to hang out with the team for pregame batting practice, eat lunch and sit in the dugout for a few innings.</p> <p>"I have been able to sit in on a couple of coaches meetings," Howard said. "It was fascinating to see that on an organizational level how meticulous everyone is. It reminded me how I am in my meetings."</p> <p>The trip was a quick one. Howard, who had just returned to the United States from Europe, where he was completing filming of "The Da Vinci Code," was in Los Angeles on Friday editing the film, then headed to Tucson on Saturday.</p> <p>He flew back to Los Angeles last night to resume editing the film, which is scheduled for release in May.</p> <p>"I have had a chance to do this kind of thing, but never in spring training," Howard said. "This is a big thrill. It is like fantasy camp for me."</p> <p>Howard walked around the White Sox clubhouse like one of the guys, talking to a few of the players and getting the whole "experience."</p> <p>"It is cool being around him. He hasn't signed me up to a (movie) contract yet, though," Chicago third baseman/outfielder Rob Mackowiak joked.</p> <p>Howard says he is always looking for unique characters or story lines for upcoming movies, and he might not have found a better baseball clubhouse than Chicago's, which is loose after winning the World Series last season.</p> <p>A baseball movie is not out of the question for the former actor and superstar director, who won an Academy Award for "A Beautiful Mind," and whose other directing credits include "Splash," "Apollo 13," "Cinderella Man" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."</p> <p>"I have thought about it, but it is really an amazingly difficult sport to film," he said. "The fact is I always wanted to film a baseball movie.</p> <p>"The fact that there have been some really good ones - it somewhat loses its luster for me. It has already been done well. I need to find something else.</p> <p>"Part of me is excited with raising the sport internationally. One of the problems has been that baseball movies are expensive to make, and nobody outside of the United States, South America and Japan wants to see a baseball movie. As the game becomes more internationally, there is a better chance of (me) doing it."</p> <p>Seeing the White Sox firsthand might give him some ideas, because there are players from a half a dozen countries in their clubhouse.</p> <p>The come-from-nowhere success the White Sox had a year ago also would make it appealing. Howard just wanted to take a look as a longtime baseball fan.</p> <p>"I missed the whole last baseball season because I was in Europe doing 'The Da Vinci Code,' " he said.</p> <p>"Tom Hanks (who is in the film), and I, who are big fans, we kept reading about this miracle season these guys were having. I can't wait to tell him that I actually got to hang out with these guys."</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/03/16/director_howard_lives_out_dream~649520/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/03/16/director_howard_lives_out_dream~649520/Thu, 16 Mar 2006 19:31:35 +0100 <p>Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee won't play for the United States in Thursday's World Baseball Classic game against Mexico because of a sore left shoulder. </p> <p>Lee, last season's National League batting champion, bruised his shoulder Sunday diving for a foul pop fly in a 4-3 victory over Japan in Anaheim, Calif.<br> The Cubs sent Lee to Dr. Lewis Yocum, a specialist in Los Angeles, who performed an MRI and arthrogram Tuesday. Cubs team trainer Mark O'Neal said Wednesday that Lee has the same injury that kept him out of three games in July last year. </p> <p>"He has some wear and tear in his left shoulder. He obviously irritated it again on that dive the other night against Japan," O'Neal said. </p> <p> There is no immediate need for Lee to have surgery, and he'll be ready to play for the Cubs once the United States is finished playing in the WBC, O'Neal said. </p> <p>Also at Cubs camp, right-hander Mark Prior was set to visit Yocum on Wednesday for tests on his right shoulder after cutting short his throwing session Tuesday, complaining of pain in the back of the shoulder.</p> <p>Prior has yet to pitch in a spring training game. The Cubs have kept him on a slow pace in an effort to avoid the elbow problems that have limited Prior to one spring training appearance the previous two years, and he started 2004 and 2005 on the disabled list.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/03/16/prior_lee_injured_in_spring_training~649505/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/03/16/prior_lee_injured_in_spring_training~649505/Thu, 16 Mar 2006 19:25:56 +0100 <p>It is only spring training, and these are just practice games -- but Barry Bonds doesn't seem to be wasting any time finding his home run swing.</p> <p>Bonds hit another home run today, his third in just nine live at-bats so far.</p> <p>Despite the stellar pre-season performance, a cloud continues to hang over the head of the San Francisco Giants slugger.</p> <p> An upcoming book by two San Francisco Chronicle journalists is due out next week and is said to go into detail about Bonds alleged use of steroids.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/03/16/bonds_hits_third_spring_training_homer~649498/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/03/16/bonds_hits_third_spring_training_homer~649498/Thu, 16 Mar 2006 19:23:26 +0100 <p>Closer Eric Gagne left the Los Angeles Dodgers' spring training camp to go home for personal reasons, manager Grady Little said Thursday.</p> <p>"He told us he'll be back by Sunday," Little said before the Dodgers opened their exhibition schedule against the Atlanta Braves. "He'll throw on the side Monday and pitch in a game Wednesday. He feels great."<br> Gagne was limited to 14 games last year because of injuries, and underwent season-ending surgery June 24 to repair a sprained ligament in his pitching elbow.</p> <p>The 30-year-old right-hander saved 152 games from 2002-04 including a big-league record 84 straight. He was 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA and eight saves last year.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/03/02/gagne_heads_home_for_personal_reasons~607822/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/03/02/gagne_heads_home_for_personal_reasons~607822/Thu, 02 Mar 2006 22:33:15 +0100 <p>Barry Bonds was back in the batting cage, taking some cuts and providing few answers about his future. Chipper Jones showed up at spring training with something else on his mind: gaining weight.After arriving in camp Wednesday, Bonds said he might not decide until next winter whether to play in 2007 and made it clear he wants to remain with the San Francisco Giants if he does extend his career.</p> <p>"San Francisco is my home. That's the love of my life right there," Bonds said. "The fans there, the people there, everything about it is just great for me. Thinking that there could be a possibility, just hypothetically, to go somewhere else and DH or something like that, I really don't want to think about that at this time right now. I know I can swing a bat. I take a lot of pride to be on that field and stay in this uniform."</p> <p>The 41-year-old Bonds missed most of last season following three knee operations. He needs 48 homers to break Hank Aaron's record of 755.</p> <p>"I see a guy with a quick bat. I don't see the end here," Giants manager Felipe Alou said. "I compare the guy with Hank Aaron, who could hit a fastball to the end."</p> <p>Bonds took part in a nearly complete workout with the Giants in Scottsdale, Ariz., stretching with his teammates, throwing, shagging flies and hitting in the batting cage before taking three rounds of batting practice against Jason Schmidt and Noah Lowry.</p> <p>"Last year, I saw him favoring his knees," Alou said. "I didn't see him favoring the knee today. I didn't see it when he was batting. When he was swinging the bat, it was OK with me."</p> <p>Bonds gave contradicting interviews this week about whether he wanted to play past this year, the final season of his $90 million, five-year contract.</p> <p>"I've played a long time," he said. "I've had a lot of fun doing it. We'll tackle that bridge when it happens. I'll sit back and talk with my family and take a long, long vacation and see how I feel. I could do that and get in the wintertime and say, `That's enough,' and somewhere in January wake up and say, `That's not enough.'"</p> <p>In Kissimmee, Fla., Jones was missing something when he reported to spring training — nearly 20 pounds. He said his weight dropped from 228 to 210 while he had stomach flu.</p> <p>"If I turn sideways, I disappear until I stick my tongue out," he joked.</p> <p>Jones' belt, which fit last season, was hanging loosely when he got dressed before the Atlanta Braves' first full-squad workout.</p> <p>"I'm looking to put back on seven or eight pounds," he said.</p> <p>The 6-foot-4 Jones is listed at 210 pounds, but he has tried to improve his endurance by playing at a heavier weight in recent years.</p> <p>Otherwise, Jones said he feels good. Injuries limited him to 358 at-bats in only 109 games last season, career lows.</p> <p>In Port St. Lucie, Fla., Carlos Delgado reported for his first season with the New York Mets, hit a bunch of homers in batting practice and predicted the team would do well this year.</p> <p>"I think everybody plays better when they're a little more relaxed and when they're not under pressure," the slugger said. "If everyone does the best they can, they should realize this is a good enough lineup to win. This ballclub is good enough that no one should have to do anything extra."</p> <p>In Tampa, Fla., New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner predicted his team's five-year World Series drought will end this October. </p> <p>"We're going to win it this year," he said. "We're going after it." </p> <p>The Boss walked into the manager's office while Joe Torre was talking with reporters, sat down on a sofa and listened to the rest of Torre's daily media session. </p> <p>"I can't do much to teach him anything, but I'm just there so he knows he's got my support," Steinbrenner said later. </p> <p>In Dunedin, Fla., Toronto said center fielder Vernon Wells probably will miss the first round of the World Baseball Classic because of a left leg injury. Wells, who won his second straight Gold Glove last season, is among 30 players on the U.S. roster for the tournament, scheduled for March 3-20. </p> <p>"He tweaked his quad a couple of days ago lifting," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Wednesday. "He'll have to take it easy for a week, two weeks. He still has plenty of time to get ready." </p> <p>In Surprise, Ariz., Texas Rangers outfielder David Dellucci decided not to play for the Italian national team. </p> <p>"I'm not going," he said. "I'm 100 percent Italian and my family makes a trip there once a year. That made it a tough decision. This year we've made a lot of additions here and there is a lot of excitement about the direction we're headed. I just want to be here from the beginning." </p> <p>In Mesa, Ariz., the Cubs said right-hander Mark Prior could be pitching off a mound by the end of the week. Prior has had elbow problems during the past two spring trainings. </p> <p>"I think we're going to a pretty extensive throwing program Friday and see how he reacts on Saturday, and go from there," pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "There's a good chance he'll get on the mound Sunday, but if he feels real good, we might venture that on Friday. But we'll see." </p> <p>Right-handers Kerry Wood and Wade Miller played catch, throwing about 120 feet. </p> <p>"It's been impressive to where they are up to now," Rothschild said. "They're throwing the ball with pretty good force behind it. It's not so much what they can do today, but can they feel like they can do it again tomorrow? That's the basis we pretty much use to go forward." </p> <p>Chicago is optimistic Prior can start in one of the first exhibition games in early March. The Cubs hope Wood can be ready to pitch in big league games in April and that Miller can be available by May.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/02/23/big_stars_arrive_at_spring_training~587487/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/02/23/big_stars_arrive_at_spring_training~587487/Thu, 23 Feb 2006 19:57:26 +0100 <p>Johnny Damon sat on a leather couch at a midtown Manhattan car dealership recently and took a deep breath, admittedly relieved that his whirlwind schedule was slowing down. With spring training closing in, baseball finally is beckoning.</p> <p>A little more than a week remains before Damon reports for his first day in pinstripes. He not only finds himself at peace with his decision to cross enemy lines and sign with the Yankees, but he's genuinely intrigued.<br> Spring training always is a time to dream, and Damon has been doing his share. During a recent interview with Newsday, he spoke openly about his grand visions and hopes, making it clear a day doesn't pass without him thinking about what's ahead.</p> <p>"It feels like it's really close," Damon said, his eyes widening with excitement. "My body is getting ready for what's going to be a very, very, very great season."</p> <p>Even with pitchers and catchers reporting this week, with the official start of baseball's calendar year just days away, the thought of Damon wearing pinstripes while manning centerfield and listening to the bleacher fans chant his name still seems odd.</p> <p>His four years in Boston will forever be remembered for his tight bond with Red Sox fans, and he hopes the same dynamic takes place in New York, beginning right away. He thinks all the fits he's given the Yankees over the years will work in his favor.</p> <p>"Playing in front of the same fans who I broke their hearts a couple of seasons ago and seeing their reaction, I can't wait, because it's always going to be a part of the history of baseball," said Damon, who signed a four-year, $52-million contract with the Yankees. "That's always going to be a great moment in my career."</p> <p>Damon obviously is comfortable enough to speak about the 2004 postseason, arguably the lowest point in Yankees postseason history. En route to their first world championship in 86 years, the Red Sox became the first baseball team ever to erase a 3-0 deficit in games in a postseason series, pummeling the Yankees, 10-3, in ALCS Game 7 behind Damon's two homers and six RBIs.</p> <p>Damon's grand slam off Javier Vazquez with one out in the second inning of Game 7 was the most crushing blow to the Yankees, the moment when Red Sox Nation began taking over the Bronx. He added a two-run homer off Vazquez in the fourth, again on the first pitch he saw in the at-bat.</p> <p>"They know what I'm capable of doing," he said, smiling.</p> <p>The Yankees won't get much of a firsthand look at Damon on their side during spring training; he remains committed to playing for the United States in the World Baseball Classic. But after seeing him so much in recent years, they know what they're getting.</p> <p>It was the Yankees who sold Damon on coming to their side during the recruiting process, not the other way around. Joe Torre and Derek Jeter called him, as did Jason Giambi, who recently said Damon had a lot of questions about life as a Yankee.</p> <p>"It was more just information for him. 'What was it like? How are the guys?'" Giambi said. "The same situation I had leaving Oakland. They had a pretty good bond in Boston with those guys. From where he started to where they ended, winning the World Series. He was just a little nervous ... I said you can join the rest of us and be hated in Boston."</p> <p>But from what Damon has experienced thus far, Red Sox fans agree with his assertion that the Red Sox disrespected him this winter, essentially daring him to leave.</p> <p>"The reaction on the street has been overwhelming, and it hasn't been just the Yankee fans," Damon said. "It's been Boston fans, too. They're happy with what I gave them, and the Yankees fans, they're happy I'm not in Boston anymore."</p> <p>Damon, however, still marvels when he thinks about batting leadoff for a lineup with so much star power, calling it "an honor." He called Jeter "the smartest player in the game," Alex Rodriguez "maybe the greatest player of all time" and Gary Sheffield "a guy who knows how to win." And then there's Hideki Matsui, Giambi and so on...</p> <p>Damon shook his head in amazement. It's easy to sense his excitement going forward. And he's made it no secret that he can't wait for the real fun to begin. "Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah," he said. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/02/13/yankees_gear_up_for_spring_training~560440/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/02/13/yankees_gear_up_for_spring_training~560440/Mon, 13 Feb 2006 23:08:01 +0100 <p>The Colorado Rockies announced today several additional non-roster invitations to major league spring training camp in Tucson, Arizona. New non-roster invitees are: Left-handed pitchers Justin Hampson and Zack Parker, right-handed pitchers Jim Miller, Sandy Nin, and Judd Songster, catchers Dan Conway and Chris Iannetta, and infielders Ian Stewart and Troy Tulowitzki. All of these additions were in the Rockies' minor league system last year.<br> The club has also agreed to terms on a minor league contract with right-handed pitcher Miguel Asencio. As part of the deal, which will be final pending a physical this week, he will be invited to major league spring training.</p> <p>Asencio, 25, is continuing to return from multiple surgeries on his right elbow over the last three seasons. After missing the entire 2004 season recovering from surgery, he signed with San Diego last January. Asencio made just 4 minor league starts in the Padres system last season before a stint on the disabled list, after which he was released on July 20. He has gone 6-8 with a 5.14 ERA in 39 games/29 starts in his big league career, including spending the entire 2002 campaign with Kansas City in his major league debut.</p> <p>With the addition of these players, the Rockies are now slated to have 22 non-roster players in major league spring training camp. The club has 39 players on its 40-man roster, as there are currently 61 players on the Rockies' projected spring roster.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/01/27/rockies_announce_additional_invitations_~511799/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/01/27/rockies_announce_additional_invitations_~511799/Fri, 27 Jan 2006 19:55:14 +0100 <p>The Mariners will play a spring-training exhibition game against the Portland Beavers at PGE Park.</p> <p>The March 31 game is the Mariners' first appearance in Portland since 2002, when Seattle played the San Diego Padres before a sellout crowd of 19,778.</p> <p>"This game will be a great start to the 2006 season, and it will be a unique opportunity for fans to get an early look at the Beavers as they approach their home opener on April 6," said John Cunningham, president and general manager of the Beavers.</p> <p>The Mariners finished the 2005 season with a 69-93 record and a last-place finish in the American League West Division.</p> <p>The exhibition game will wrap up spring training for both teams. The Mariners open the regular season against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field on April 3.</p> <p>The Mariners are 1-1 in Portland, with a 5-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at then-Civic Stadium in 1984, and a 3-1 loss to the Padres in 2002.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/01/27/m_s_to_play_spring_game_vs_padres_in_por~511786/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/01/27/m_s_to_play_spring_game_vs_padres_in_por~511786/Fri, 27 Jan 2006 19:52:21 +0100 <p>The Houston Astros are close to completing a deal with outfielder Preston Wilson, and an announcement could arrive by the end of the work day Tuesday.<br> Wilson batted .260 (135-for-520) with 25 homers and 90 RBIs in 2005 with the Rockies and Nationals. Over eight big-league seasons, he has a .264 average with 171 homers and 591 RBIs. </p> <p>It's unclear where Wilson, 31, would play. He has played the majority of his career as a center fielder, but the makeup of the Astros could necessitate a position switch.</p> <p>If Wilson is slotted into left field, Lance Berkman would play right. This leaves Jason Lane without a position, unless the Astros decide to slide him into center and deal Willy Taveras.</p> <p>Chris Burke, whom the club was considering to platoon with left-handed-hitting Luke Scott in left field, is also without any guarantees, and the signing of Wilson makes the picture a lot less clear for the Astros' former No. 1 draft pick. </p> <p>A lot of the decisions will hinge on Jeff Bagwell's status. If Bagwell proves he is healthy and can play first base, Berkman will remain in the now-crowded outfield. Should Bagwell conclude that he cannot play, Berkman would move to first, which would create an opening in the outfield for whoever was pushed out by Wilson's arrival.</p> <p>The other scenario would call for Wilson to be a fourth outfielder and competing for a starting job during Spring Training. That is unlikely, however, considering Wilson is only two years removed from driving in a league-leading 141 runs for the Rockies in '03.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/01/03/astros_nearing_deal_with_wilson~438155/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/01/03/astros_nearing_deal_with_wilson~438155/Tue, 03 Jan 2006 22:38:54 +0100 <p>The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today that they have signed four players to minor league contracts and invited them to Spring Training, according to Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti. Infielder Chris Truby, left-handed pitcher Kelly Wunsch and outfielders Tydus Meadows and Jon Weber will report to Dodgertown in Vero Beach, FL as non-roster invitees this February. </p> <p>Truby, 32, has appeared in 263 games over four seasons with Houston, Montreal, Detroit and Tampa Bay, compiling 23 homers and 107 RBI during that span. The Palm Springs native has played primarily third base during his career, which included a postseason appearance with the Astros in 2001. In 2005, he hit 20 homers and drove in 66 runs in 106 games for Triple-A Omaha in the Royals' system. </p> <p>Wunsch, 33, came to Spring Training with the Dodgers in 2005 as a non-roster invitee and earned a spot on the Major League club. He was on pace to set a single-season franchise mark for appearances by a southpaw before suffering a season-ending right ankle injury on July 7. In 45 games for Los Angeles, Wunsch went 1-1 with a 4.56 ERA while limiting left-handers to a .194 average (12-for-62). He required surgery to repair the torn ligament in his ankle and subsequently, he underwent another procedure on his left hip on Sept. 13. </p> <p>Meadows, 28, will come to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee for the second consecutive season. He has averaged 16 homers and 72 RBI over the past four seasons in the minor leagues, including a solid season at Double-A Jacksonville last year. While playing for the Southern League Champions, Meadows hit .274 with 15 homers and 65 RBI following a strong showing in the spring, where he hit .417 (5-for-12) with a homer and four RBI in Grapefruit League action. </p> <p>Weber, 27, also returns for a second season following a successful campaign at Jacksonville. Weber batted .300 with 11 homers and 68 RBI for the Suns, improving his career minor league average to .289 over seven seasons. The left-handed hitting outfielder ranked second on the Suns' squad in hits and RBI while posting a .456 slugging percentage.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/01/03/dodgers_invite_four_to_spring_training~438138/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2006/01/03/dodgers_invite_four_to_spring_training~438138/Tue, 03 Jan 2006 22:33:17 +0100 <p>All three of the Yankees' free agents who were offered arbitration rejected it on Monday as expected, but two of them should be back in pinstripes when the team gathers for Spring Training in February.<br> Bernie Williams, Al Leiter and Ramiro Mendoza each declined arbitration, which they had agreed to do when it was offered to them during the Winter Meetings. By doing so, they extended the negotiating window with the Yankees until Jan. 8. </p> <p>Mendoza won't need that long, as he agreed to a Minor League deal with New York, receiving a non-roster invite to camp in February. </p> <p>Williams and Leiter also declined arbitration as they had agreed to do, but the two veterans have not signed contracts. </p> <p>Williams is expected to sign a one-year deal worth about $2 million, a deal which could be completed in the next week. One Yankees official characterized Williams' deal as "pretty close," but said, "we're not there yet." </p> <p>If the Yankees don't come to terms with Leiter or Williams by Jan. 8, they will not be able to negotiate with them again until May 1. </p> <p>Earlier this month, general manager Brian Cashman indicated that both Leiter and Mendoza would likely be signed to Minor League contracts and given non-roster invitations to Spring Training, but the signing of left-handed specialist Mike Myers makes Leiter's return unlikely. </p> <p>The Yankees must decide on Tuesday whether to offer arbitration to right-handers Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon, as well as left-hander Wayne Franklin. Chacon and Small are considered shoo-ins for arbitration, though Franklin is less of a certainty.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2005/12/20/trio_of_bombers_say_no_to_arbitration~402976/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2005/12/20/trio_of_bombers_say_no_to_arbitration~402976/Tue, 20 Dec 2005 20:25:03 +0100 <p>It wasn't until his 10th season of professional baseball that Ryan Freel spent an entire season in the majors.</p> <p>He's been a grinder all along, from the time Toronto drafted him in 1995 through a nine-game stint in the majors with the Blue Jays in 2001 through his return to the big leagues with Cincinnati in the middle of the 2003 season.</p> <p>Now, for the first time, he'll have a little job security. Freel and the Reds agreed Monday to a two-year deal that will pay the utilityman at least $3 million between the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Freel, who became eligible for salary arbitration for the first time this offseason, made $405,000 last year.</p> <p>"I'm finally getting some peace of mind," Freel said Monday. "I guess they like me enough to give me a two-year deal, so that's a positive note, and it'll give me a little change in the bank."</p> <p>He laughed as he finished that sentence. As he spoke, he was driving to a mall in his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla., to do some Christmas shopping, and his new deal should make this and future holiday seasons bright for the 29-year-old.</p> <p>Freel will make $1.3 million in 2006 and at least $1.7 million in 2007, though his base salary for the second year of the deal could rise based on playing time. If Freel makes 200 plate appearances in 2006 (he had 431 last season), his salary the following year will be at least $2 million. That number would continue to escalate based on plate appearances, up to a maximum of $2.65 million if he makes 650 trips to the plate this season.</p> <p>Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said the club started discussing contracts with Freel's agent, Tommy Tanzer, back in the spring, though the Reds wouldn't find out until the season ended if Freel would be arbitration-eligible this year. Freel did indeed qualify for arbitration as a "Super 2" player, and one thing led to another in talks with his agent.</p> <p>"It sort of evolved into a potential multiyear discussion," said O'Brien. "I think it's a fair deal for everybody concerned, and I think both parties are pleased to be able to complete it."</p> <p>With the finances out of the way, the next question is where Freel will play, and how much. But that's always been the question for Freel, who started games at second base, third base and all three outfield positions in 2005. Some eyebrows were raised when the Reds traded for Tony Womack, a veteran with similar skills, at the winter meetings, but Freel said he welcomes Womack's presence on the team.</p> <p>"I'm glad that he's with us, I know he's going to help this team," said Freel. "It doesn't matter what role me or him play."</p> <p>Both would like a crack at the starting second base job held most of last season by Rich Aurilia, who filed for free agency after the season. The Reds offered Aurilia salary arbitration and he rejected it Monday night.</p> <p>That move allows the two parties to continue negotiations through Jan. 8, and if the Reds don't re-sign Aurilia by then they won't be able to bring him back until May 1. Because they offered him arbitration, the Reds will receive a draft pick as compensation if Aurilia signs with another team.</p> <p>It's possible Womack could be the everyday second baseman, which he said last week was his goal heading into spring training, but it's more likely both he and Freel will see significant time at the position while also bouncing around to fill in at other positions.</p> <p>Though Freel also covets the stability a starting job would bring, he's used to checking the lineup card when he arrives at the ballpark every day to see if, and where, he might be playing.</p> <p>"If (Womack) gets the job at second base, it's not something I'm going to be worried about," said Freel. "I think somehow, some way, looking at past years, with everybody healthy, I'm still playing somewhere. It always works out."</p> <p>It has the last couple of years for both Freel and the Reds. Though he appeared in only 103 games last season thanks to a couple of stints on the disabled list, Freel still managed to steal a team-high 36 bases (fifth-best in the National League) and hit .271 with 19 doubles and four home runs. He was the Reds' most effective leadoff hitter, posting a .371 on-base percentage from the first spot in the batting order last year.</p> <p>The security of a new contract and an assured roster spot might not keep him from running into walls in spring training - nothing ever seems to deter that instinct with Freel - but the player appreciated the gesture nonetheless.</p> <p>"I spent all those years scratching and clawing to get back up to the big leagues before finally landing a home - and a happy home, at that," he said. "It's just a blessing. I've been very, very fortunate for these guys to even give me a chance. Back when (Dave) Miley was there, he gave me a chance to play, and the same for Jerry Narron. And Dan O'Brien and Dean (Taylor) giving me a two-year deal. Without the help of those guys, I don't know where I'd be."</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2005/12/20/freel_returning_with_fat_new_deal~402910/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2005/12/20/freel_returning_with_fat_new_deal~402910/Tue, 20 Dec 2005 20:01:54 +0100 <p>The Philadelphia Phillies have selected right-hander Ricardo Rodriguez as the player to be named from last week's trade that sent right-hander Vicente Padilla to the Rangers.<br> Rodriguez, 27, was plagued by injuries and inconsistency after coming to Texas on July 18, 2003, in a three-player trade with the Cleveland Indians. He went 2-3 with a 5.53 ERA last year in 12 games for the Rangers. Manager Charlie Manuel and his staff will find out in Spring Training whether Rodriguez projects as someone who can help Philadelphia improve its pitching depth. </p> <p>"We're trying to add more depth to the pitching staff and give Charlie more people to look at in Spring Training," Phillies general manager Pat Gillick said. </p> <p>Rodriguez showed promise for the Rangers in 2004 when he came up from Triple-A and went 3-1 with a 2.03 ERA before his right elbow was shattered by a Robb Quinlan line drive that ended his season on July 22 against the Angels. </p> <p>Rodriguez got another callup from Triple-A last year and pitched creditably for a while before fading. He was placed on the disabled list on Aug. 9 after being hit on the right shoulder by a line drive. </p> <p>The Rangers are counting on Padilla to be a fixture in their starting rotation next season.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2005/12/20/r_rodriguez_heads_to_phillies~402893/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2005/12/20/r_rodriguez_heads_to_phillies~402893/Tue, 20 Dec 2005 19:56:34 +0100 <p>The Los Angeles Dodgers announced their Spring Training schedule for the 2006 season on Tuesday. According to vice president of Spring Training/Minor League facilities Craig Callan, the Dodgers have 15 scheduled games at Holman Stadium this year, with the first home game on March 2 against the defending National League East division champion Atlanta Braves. Following a one-game stop in Las Vegas for an exhibition contest against the Seattle Mariners, the Dodgers close out the Spring Training schedule in Southern California with the annual Freeway Series against the Angels from March 31-April 2.<br> Pitchers and catchers will report to Dodgertown on Feb. 15, while the rest of the team reports on Feb. 20. The first full-squad workout will take place on Feb. 21. Dodgertown in Vero Beach, FL has been the site of the club's Spring Training facilities since 1948. </p> <p>In addition to the Braves, the schedule contains games against the Boston Red Sox, the Houston Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals -- all playoff teams a year ago. This year's calendar also includes two Friday night games, including the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration on Friday, March 17 against the New York Mets, featuring green bases and traditional St. Patrick's Day promotions. </p> <p>On March 30 at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, the Dodgers will participate in the 2006 Big League Weekend with an exhibition game against the Seattle Mariners. Cashman Field, home of the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate Las Vegas 51s, will also host a pair of games between the Cubs and Padres. The Dodgers' exhibition game will mark their fourth appearance at Cashman Field and first since 2003. </p> <p>The final three games of the Spring Training season will take place against the Angels with Dodger Stadium hosting the March 31 game at 7:40 p.m. and Angel Stadium serving as the site for the Saturday and Sunday contests. </p> <p>The Dodgers are introducing a variety of new ticket plans for Grapefruit League action, including two three-game mini plans for the first time ever. The Triple Play plan includes games against the Red Sox (March 9), the Florida Marlins (March 16) and the Detroit Tigers (March 28). The Think Blue plan contains games against the Detroit Tigers (March 10), the St. Louis Cardinals (March 23) and the Washington Nationals (March 29). The plans cost $48 each and will be on sale December 16. </p> <p>Individual game tickets will be on sale Saturday, January 21 at 10:00 a.m. Weekday games are $16 per ticket while weekend and night games are $18. Fans have the opportunity to purchase tickets to watch games from the grass berm located just beyond the outfield fence. Berm tickets are available for all weekend and night games. Berm tickets are $8 per person and will be sold for any game that has standing room only. </p> <p>The Dodgers are also offering the Spring & Summer Super Combo Ticket, which consists of tickets to all home games for both the Los Angeles and Vero Beach squads for the low price of $325. Traditional season tickets to Spring Training, which include all 15 home games, are $225. Both season ticket packages will go on sale on Friday, December 16 and will include the opportunity to purchase a parking pass, as well as other benefits. </p> <p>The Spring Training schedule is filled with special events and promotions, including bobbleheads, rally towels and Sandy Koufax action statues. Fans will have their first chance to see some of the newest Dodgers -- manager Grady Little and shortstop Rafael Furcal. </p> <p>The complete schedule is as follows:<br> Day Date Opponent Location Game Time<br> Tuesday 2/28/06 Intrasquad Jacksonville TBD<br> Thursday 3/2/06 Atlanta Braves Vero Beach 1:05 PM<br> Friday 3/3/06 Atlanta Braves Orlando 1:05 PM<br> Saturday 3/4/06 Baltimore Orioles Ft. Lauderdale 1:05 PM<br> Sunday 3/5/06 New York Mets Vero Beach 1:05 PM<br> Monday 3/6/06 Florida Marlins (ss) Jupiter 1:05 PM<br> Washington Nationals (ss) Vero Beach 1:05 PM<br> Tuesday 3/7/06 St. Louis Cardinals Jupiter 1:05 PM<br> Wednesday 3/8/06 Baltimore Orioles Vero Beach 1:05 PM<br> Thursday 3/9/06 Boston Red Sox Vero Beach 1:05 PM<br> Friday 3/10/06 Detroit Tigers Vero Beach 1:05 PM<br> Saturday 3/11/06 Washington Nationals Viera 6:05 PM<br> Sunday 3/12/06 Houston Astros Vero Beach 1:05 PM<br> Monday 3/13/06 Boston Red Sox Ft. Myers 1:05 PM<br> Tuesday 3/14/06 OFF DAY<br> Wednesday 3/15/06 Atlanta Braves Orlando 1:05 PM<br> Thursday 3/16/06 Florida Marlins Vero Beach 1:05 PM<br> Friday 3/17/06 New York Mets Vero Beach 7:05 PM<br> Saturday 3/18/06 Detroit Tigers Lakeland 1:05 PM<br> Sunday 3/19/06 Washington Nationals Vero Beach 1:05 PM<br> Monday 3/20/06 Washington Nationals Viera 1:05 PM<br> Tuesday 3/21/06 Florida Marlins Jupiter 1:05 PM<br> Wednesday 3/22/06 New York Mets Port St. Lucie 7:10 PM<br> Thursday 3/23/06 St. Louis Cardinals Vero Beach 1:05 PM<br> Friday 3/24/06 Florida Marlins Vero Beach 7:05 PM<br> Saturday 3/25/06 St. Louis Cardinals Jupiter 1:05 PM<br> Sunday 3/26/06 Atlanta Braves Vero Beach 1:05 PM<br> Monday 3/27/06 New York Mets Port St. Lucie 1:05 PM<br> Tuesday 3/28/06 Detroit Tigers Vero Beach 1:05 PM<br> Wednesday 3/29/06 Washington Nationals Vero Beach 1:05 PM<br> Thursday 3/30/06 Houston Astros Kissimmee 1:05 PM<br> Thursday 3/30/06 Seattle Mariners Las Vegas 7:05 PM<br> Friday 3/31/06 Angels of Anaheim Dodger Stadium 7:40 PM<br> Saturday 4/1/06 Angels of Anaheim Angel Stadium TBA<br> Sunday 4/2/06 Angels of Anaheim Angel Stadium TBA </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2005/12/20/dodgers_announce_spring_training_schedul~402864/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2005/12/20/dodgers_announce_spring_training_schedul~402864/Tue, 20 Dec 2005 19:49:02 +0100 <p>As the Rangers continue to search for bullpen help from outside the organization, they can take solace in the knowledge that left-hander Erasmo Ramirez is 100 percent healthy now and primed to provide help from inside the organization.<br> Ramirez, a significant contributor for a fine Texas bullpen in 2004, found himself stuck in neutral through the first half of the 2005 season because of a strained tendon in the middle finger of his pitching hand. Ramirez eventually made his way back to the Major League club and compiled a 3.91 ERA in 16 games. But by then, the Rangers needed binoculars to see the Angels and A's at the top of the American League West. </p> <p>When Ramirez reports to Spring Training in February, he hopes to be part of a rejuvenated bullpen that will help Texas return to contender status. </p> <p>"The whole finger situation was a pain in more ways than one," Ramirez said. "I wish I had been available to pitch the whole year, but that's behind me now and I'm just looking forward to what next season could bring. I really felt like I was throwing the ball well the last month of the season, and I want to carry that over." </p> <p>With his creative assortment of off-speed breaking pitches and good command, Ramirez can be used in a variety of bullpen roles. The 29-year-old Ramirez will miss departing pitching coach Orel Hershiser, who has moved on to a front office role. But Ramirez is happy that the Rangers filled the vacancy by promoting Mark Connor from bullpen coach to pitching coach. </p> <p>"Orel always said we had two pitching coaches," Ramirez said. "I'm pretty sure it will be a smooth transition. I owe a lot to Orel. He was a guy who stepped up a couple of years ago and really pushed for the club to give me a chance. I know Orel eventually wanted to move on to a different role, and I'm glad Mark is taking over because the pitchers all know him so well." </p> <p>Ramirez, who broke in with the Rangers in 2003, has ridden the Texas-Oklahoma shuttle the last few years. The fact that he had options meant the Rangers often looked his way when they had to clear space on the 25-man roster. </p> <p>But now Ramirez is out of options, which means he can figure on staying with the Major League club provided his performance level remains high. </p> <p>"For the first six weeks after I finally got back to pitching last year, I felt like I was in Spring Training from the standpoint of arm strength," Ramirez said. "From mid-August through September, I started throwing better and I gained confidence with the curve. I had ruptured the finger tendon throwing the curve, so that was a mental hurdle that I cleared. Once I had success with the curve and knew I wasn't going to re-injure the finger, it took a burden off of me. Now, I'm just eager to start my offseason throwing and go on to put a full season together." </p> <p>A healthy Ramirez from April to September and the return of Frank Francisco following Tommy John surgery would represent important building blocks for a bullpen which was in flux most of last year. The Rangers may not have Francisco from the get-go in Spring Training, but he is expected to be ready at some juncture in '06. </p> <p>"There are always going to be injuries in this game, but you hope to get some people back and have other guys step up," Ramirez said. "We found a nice mix of guys a couple of years ago, and we really came through collectively. That's what we need to get back to, and I'm confident we can."</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2005/12/01/ramirez_ready_to_help_rangers_bullpen~352902/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2005/12/01/ramirez_ready_to_help_rangers_bullpen~352902/Thu, 01 Dec 2005 19:04:44 +0100 <p>The Royals have announced that three more players will be in Spring Training at Surprise, Ariz., as non-roster invitees.<br> Right-handed pitchers Adam Bernero and Seth Etherton were signed to Minor League contracts. Catcher Mat Tupman, already in the Kansas City organization, will also be in the big league camp. </p> <p>Bernero split the 2005 season with the Braves and Triple-A Richmond. Turning 29 on Nov. 28, he was 4-3 with a 6.51 ERA in 36 relief appearances. At Richmond, he was 5-5 with a 3.40 ERA in 10 games, including nine starts. He also has Major League experience with the Tigers and Rockies. </p> <p>Etherton spent a majority of 2005 pitching for the Athletics' Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento, where he was 7-7 with a 2.72 ERA in 20 games, including 19 starts. The 29-year-old was 1-1 with a 6.62 ERA in three starts for Oakland and also had big league experience with the Angels in 2000 and Reds in 2003. </p> <p>Tupman batted .263 with two homers and 32 RBIs in 109 games with Double-A Wichita this year.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2005/12/01/royals_invite_three_to_spring_training~352845/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2005/12/01/royals_invite_three_to_spring_training~352845/Thu, 01 Dec 2005 18:46:53 +0100 <p>The San Francisco Giants, one of the Cactus League's original teams, will continue spring training in Scottsdale for 20 more years.</p> <p>The Scottsdale City Council voted to extend the City's relationship with the Giants and the Scottsdale Charros, a charitable organization that has operated spring training since 1964.</p> <p>The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority is expected to consider the proposal later this month.</p> <p>"The agreement keeps a franchise with a great history in a downtown filled with baseball history," said Mayor Mary Manross. "There's no better way to celebrate 50 years of spring training in Scottsdale."</p> <p>"The Giants have enjoyed a wonderful partnership with Scottsdale and its citizens and we are delighted to continue spring training in Scottsdale through 2025," said Larry Baer, Giants executive vice president and chief operating officer. "Scottsdale Stadium and Indian School Park serve as our homes away from home during the months of February and March and are as much a part of our history as Seals Stadium, Candlestick Park and SBC Park. We look forward to working with the city and the Charros to continue on with this rich tradition for decades to come."</p> <p>"We're thrilled that our organization can stay involved in another 20 years of spring training," said Kirk Johnson, a Charros board member. "We appreciate the support we receive from the Giants and the community for the charitable work we do."</p> <p>The estimated economic impact of spring training in Scottsdale was nearly $16 million in 2004, according to estimates from the city's Economic Vitality Department.</p> <p>The agreement calls for a new training field and a smaller practice infield just east of Scottsdale Stadium and upgrades to the stadium and the team's existing training facilities at Indian School Park. Total cost of the new facilities and upgrades is estimated at $23.1 million. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2005/12/01/giants_in_scottsdale_until~352830/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://springtraining.blog.co.uk/2005/12/01/giants_in_scottsdale_until~352830/Thu, 01 Dec 2005 18:41:10 +0100