2015 Hammond Happenings

[Halsey Hall]

Seth, you shouldn't need a gas mask, as Pelfrey wore today, as it has to warm up by then.  Cold out here this morning with winds strong enough to blow over the recycling bins.  Going into the 30's tonight so tommorrow will be colder yet.  But back to 80 on sunday.  Arcia ran on Perry's Hill this morning.  Mauer spotted yesterday, but stayed away from this end.  Vargas has gone home til next wednesday.  The luckiest man in the world hasn't taken bp on the fields yet and keeps his distance from the onlookers.  No sign of Dozier yet. 

[big dog]

The luckiest man in the world hasn't taken bp on the fields yet and keeps his distance from the onlookers. 

???

[USAFChief]

???

i'm going with "Trevor Plouffe."

[jimmer]

???

My mind goes straight to Punto, but I agree with Chief when he says the player referenced is likely Plouffe. 

[Squirrel]

March 8th can't get here quickly enough for me!! Looking forward to a week at the Fort!

That's when I'm heading back.  I'll look for you on the backfields to say 'hi.'  Keep that sunscreen out of your eyes! 

[Squirrel]

My mind goes straight to Punto, but I agree with Chief when he says the player referenced is likely Plouffe. 

Given Halsey's open love of Plouffe, I'd say Plouffe.

[stringer bell]

 

Given Halsey's open love of Plouffe, I'd say Plouffe.

 Was there any doubt? Eventually Halsey will smoke him out and reveal to the world that Trevor Plouffe stole other kid's lunch money when he was in school and hates kittens.

[Bob Sacamento]

Just made arrangements to be at the practice fields of Hammond Stadium on Friday morning!  Hope to join you guys....although I don't know who are Twins Daily regulars.

See you there in the morning, dress warmly

[NoCryingInBaseball]

Coming before Pitchers & Catchers really allows a close up of those that show up for the optional practices. Halsey was easy to find among the small group of spectators yesterday and he quickly pointed out who the various players were and who might be showing up. I realized that there are much better opportunities to be have real one-on-one meet-ups with the players.
Most players will be there as early as next week, but many players are there now. It was pretty cold (got as low as the mid 30’s) out and that might have had something to do with it, but the 12-15 spectators get to mingle with players.
There was no batting practice, but I watched the pitching of Michael Tonkin, Trevor May, Alex Meyer and Caleb Thielbar as they went through their sessions.  Spectators have the opportunity to watch the pitches right behind the catcher, almost where the umpire would stand, which was a fascinating way of watching their respective pitches. Was about to ask for a photo  with Meyers, but when Bob Sacramento stood next to him for his photo….well, the height difference was a little too dramatic for me.
Some of the position players (Tori Hunter, Brian Dozier) would walk through our small group on their way to get dressed or to go on the field and interact with anyone present. Walking with Halsey on my way to the parking lot we passed Jose Berrios (Halsey told me that it was his first day in Ft Meyers) leaning up against a fence watching infielders doing some work. He appreciated when I complimented him in on his videos of his workouts he posted over the winter.
Thanks Halsey for showing me around and pointing out Plouffe way off in the distance, I’ll join you again next week.

[Halsey Hall]

It was nice to meet a couple fellow TD'ers yesterday, and it was the coldest morning this winter.  As nocrying noted, they didn't take bp yesterday because of the weather. 

 

I expected no action today, being the last saturday off for these guys for months, but had to go over anyway.  Yesterday they moved into the stadium clubhouse (those with invites) but I parked in my usual spot near the minor league fields and was talking with a couple of friends when we were told Mike Pelfrey was in the parking lot there talking with some peeps.  So the three of us went over and visited with him and I knocked off another signature on the bat.  He's really, really a nice guy.  Then back to where we were, as no one was on any of the fields.

 

Standing there visiting when  two players walked the sidewalk of broken dreams from the stadium down past us to the fields.  Dozier and Escubar, and they signed for whoever wanted something and continued on.  Then came Plouffe and Arcia, then Shaffer and Hicks, then Fryer and Bernier.  Joe Vavra walked by. 

 

It ended up with quite a few down here, they took infield drills and they bp with Vavra throwing.  Arcia really blasted some way over into the high school.  The new firstbase coach  came down, Butch Davis?.  So it ended up being an excellent moring to be here, and with very few fans, as the Sox finally opened their gates today. 

 

Tommorrow is pitchers and catchers reporting date, and the ribbon cutting for the stadium.  Half price food and drinks, players appearances, self guided tours and the gift shop opening.  It should be fun!

[Lazarus]

Halsey,

 

I was down there with my wife on the 12th to catch a round of BP (Hunter, Hicks, Vargas, Herrmann) - I should have been asking around to see if there were any other TD posters there. My first error of the season I guess. That said, I considered it an hour well-spent!

[Squirrel]

Halsey,

 

I was down there with my wife on the 12th to catch a round of BP (Hunter, Hicks, Vargas, Herrmann) - I should have been asking around to see if there were any other TD posters there. My first error of the season I guess. That said, I considered it an hour well-spent!

I think I was there then, too … with my Dad.

[Seth Stohs]

Hopefully with camp opening up tomorrow (or at least pitchers and catchers reporting), Halsey and several others will continue to update this thread with their thoughts and observations throughout spring training. 

[Squirrel]

Hopefully with camp opening up tomorrow (or at least pitchers and catchers reporting), Halsey and several others will continue to update this thread with their thoughts and observations throughout spring training. 

When will the TD crew get down there and start their reports?

[Halsey Hall]

Hopefully with camp opening up tomorrow (or at least pitchers and catchers reporting), Halsey and several others will continue to update this thread with their thoughts and observations throughout spring training. 

And hopefully you will add to it also!

[Seth Stohs]

When will the TD crew get down there and start their reports?

 

I'll be the first one down there, and I fly down on March 8. I believe we'll be down there until Opening Day then. 

[Seth Stohs]

Day 1 of pitchers and catchers is going on right now... Who was there? What were your observations? Share them here, or post your own Blog with pictures and thoughts! I'm so excited that things are starting up again!

[Halsey Hall]

Without taking a roll call, I assume all the pitchers and catchers were here.  They didn't take the field til after 9:30 this morning, and the catchers finally ended up practice around noon.  They used the field next to the stadium, and the main field, which is off limits to fans this year.  I know Berrios threw off the mound, and Nolasco, but I didn't watch, as I went to the far field to see the position players. 

 

I really wanted to see Danny Santana and Byron Buxton.  No sign of Mauer yet, and no Hunter today.  They did the bp, etc.  One thing they worked on quite awhile was baserunning with Butch Davis.  The catchers did that also after pop up drills.  So that's one thing Mollie will be working on more this year than Gardy had them do. 

 

There's some changes with the stadium, and I don't know if we'll be able to get in at all this year or if it being blocked off is temperary.  You can get above Kelly Field though, but when the seats start, that's the end of it.  To bad as there's alot of action during the spring in there.  We can get down the foul lines though, but no where near the field or players.  Everyday Eddie is here of course, as is Tony O, and Tony still is a draw.  He stopped and signed for alot of people today.  That will slow down when Carew gets here though.  That's it for today!

[Halsey Hall]

More of the same out here today and I stayed by the bullpen.  Mays and Santana worked off the mound with a bunch of others.  Then they go to the main field and run, alot.  Gibson and Oliveros did come over and sign for fans. 

 

The red uni's are hard on my eyes, gonna take some getting used to.  The Bosox fans are upset the names aren't on them as they are for their team.  I asked Tony when Rod was coming and he said tommorrow. 

 

I don't understand why they aren't selling rosters like they usually do out here.  They're comment was no one has copied them yet.  LOL, they could easily sell 100 a day.  Still no sign of Baby Jesus. 

[Squirrel]

Halsey ... I asked about getting a roster list for my Dad when I was there, because we've gotten them in the past from the ticket booth.  It was suggested that maybe I print something off from the website. 

[Seth Stohs]

Halsey ... I asked about getting a roster list for my Dad when I was there, because we've gotten them in the past from the ticket booth.  It was suggested that maybe I print something off from the website. 

 

40 man roster: 

 

Non-Roster invites

[Halsey Hall]

Thanks, but no printer down here.  No Tom Kelly yet either. 

[Squirrel]

40 man roster: 

 

Non-Roster invites

Thanks, Seth.  I could have looked this up myself but forgot before I left Fort Myers the last time I was there.  I've forwarded the links to my mom so she and my dad can keep track of who's who.

[Squirrel]

Found some video of the 'new and improved' facilities on the News-Press website.  Excited to get my own look-see soon.

 

http://www.news-press.com/media/cinematic/video/23847913/hammond-stadium-open-house-draws-4000-plus/

 

http://www.news-press.com/media/cinematic/video/23645843/video-tour-of-new-look-hammond-stadium-shows-new-amenities-vantage-points/

[big dog]

Thanks, but no printer down here.  No Tom Kelly yet either. 

Does Tom bring a printer?  No, wait, never mind.

 

"That's a diamond cutter."

[LimestoneBaggy]

Hey Halsey,

 

I'll be down for the first two night games (Gophers/Red Sox). Do you know what the practice schedule/opportunities to bum around on those days are?

 

Getting to excited too work.....

[Bob Sacamento]

Halsey, you mean something like this: (if can't see, right click and hit view image)

 

[Bob Sacamento]

Thanks, but no printer down here.  No Tom Kelly yet either. 

According to the press schedule I got he's suppose to be there today. Rod Carew and Tony Oliva on the 27th.

[Bob Sacamento]

Hey Halsey,

 

I'll be down for the first two night games (Gophers/Red Sox). Do you know what the practice schedule/opportunities to bum around on those days are?

 

Getting to excited too work.....

The first two night games start at 7:05, the preschedule for those nights are the Twins take BP 4:15-5:15, Visitors BP 5:15-6:15, Twins infield 6:15-6:30, Visitors infield 6:30-6:45, with field prep 6:45-7:05.  Workouts typically begin at 9ish AM give or take.

[Halsey Hall]

Hey Halsey,

 

I'll be down for the first two night games (Gophers/Red Sox). Do you know what the practice schedule/opportunities to bum around on those days are?

 

Getting to excited too work.....

It seems to me that they'll start practice in the afternoon then, around 3. Even when batting practice takes place in the stadium they should be practicing on the next field. There's so many guys here that only a small amount will play in the games. I've seen guys on the practice fields go in to the clubhouse after a few innings, change uniforms and then get into the games.