Flew from DTW to CVG, the CVG to TPA. Got off the plane to 84 degrees - humid & balmy. So much for the sweatshirts & pullovers I packed! Like mid summer. I'll take it.
Met Adam in the airport. He is heading Clearwater to see an old neighborhood friend, Nick Gravlin.
We are lodging at the Sheraton Suites, not far from the Yankees complex. Photo of lobby shown below.
Arrived at noon, Practice is at 2:30 pm. Dave Miller arrived last night, he is who I am rooming with. I get the first look at his twisted ankle. Not so bad, he has it taped and believes he will be running at practice. Progress.
The Yankees complex is like all MLB Florida training facilities - amazing. The fields are putting green quality grass - everywhere. Makes running in the outfield very fun. Never worry about bad hops.
We took the field to the instruction of Spanky,who is a baseball field general. He is vocal (which I like), a tactician, and a teacher. Some of the things you take for granted or don't notice in a game, he has broken down into easy instructions. He is in charge and makes that clear from the minute we got onto the field. Practice is very methodical. We worked on: infield & outfield, covering 1st base for pitchers, fielding & throwing to 2nd for pitchers, then took batting practice (4 groups of 4), then base running, and finished with bunting to 3rd or 1st - depending on the sign.
Photos above are some of the drills. Dave Miller crushing batting practice. Roy Berger very impressive in batting practice. Lockers in the stadium,which will be home base for next few days. Then the smile that only comes from playing baseball with the FCCS Pirates.
Team dinner was at Columbia's, an establishment that is celebrating their 110th year anniversary this year. Very impressive venue. Food was excellent. Hearing the stories of how Spanky hit a triple at Wrigley field was the highlight. Along with how he stole bases. He will admit he was not the fastest runner in MLB - for any era!
We went over signs, strategy, rules, and most of all "tie breaker" rules. We will have plenty of questions at the Thursday 8:30 am briefing. Our baseball nerd IQ will show through.
Turning in at 11:30 pm, after hanging out with Dave, while he ices his ankle. Morning workout at 5:00 am will come early. Game with Phillies, 10:00 am, in the stadium (lucky us).
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