I asked Navaretto about that this morning, and he said they just like him to take ground balls, plus it's fun. 

I've seen them do that with other catchers over the years ... take some practice at first ... especially when doing drills on the TK half field.

 

I've seen them do that with other catchers over the years ... take some practice at first ... especially when doing drills on the TK half field.

 

Yes, esp. in lower levels when teams have 3-4 catchers.  They like to rotate them to 1B and DH and have each catch 25-40% of the time, depending on the level.

Still waiting for that Nick Blackburn sighting!

Thanks for all the posts, Halsey.  It's just like being there, except I don't have palm trees, warm weather, and fresh seafood here in my basement.

 

OK, it's nothing like being there, but it's a lot better than just being in my basement without any baseball news.

and fresh seafood here in my basement.

They don't build basements in Florida, probably for that very reason.

Well, made it back out there today after being sidelined with a Kidney stone.  Still in a lot of pain.  Seemed like 40 or so guys today, with running drills.  One was a run of about 20 yards, at first at 50 percent, then 75, and then 100%.  Wander won all his races.  I didn't follow them when the moved to another field, but before long more were where I was watching, including Sano.  They chased footballs up the hill.  Not sure if I'll make it tomorrow or go to the ER, but have to get this stone taken care of. 

Well, made it back out there today after being sidelined with a Kidney stone. Still in a lot of pain. Seemed like 40 or so guys today, with running drills. One was a run of about 20 yards, at first at 50 percent, then 75, and then 100%. Wander won all his races. I didn't follow them when the moved to another field, but before long more were where I was watching, including Sano. They chased footballs up the hill. Not sure if I'll make it tomorrow or go to the ER, but have to get this stone taken care of.

Hope you're feeling better soon, Halsey!

 

Well, made it back out there today after being sidelined with a Kidney stone.  Still in a lot of pain.

Sorry Halsey. Hope you get some relief soon. I started to attempt to make a joke about getting some relief soon, but thought better of it. Kidney stones are no laughing matter.

Halsey, How are you doing health wise? I hope you are OK..

After 4 days in the hospital I made it back out today.  Not feeling the best but not in a bed.  They, a few, took batting practice for the first time today.  Sano, LaMonte Wade, and two more.  All looked rusty but Wade.  Mays pitched off the mound again today, and Sano took grounders at third.  I can't help but wonder when some other ML'ers will show up.  It was good to be out there.

They all were doing the usual stretching and running when I got there.  Then to the fields, pitchers to the pen.  Gibson and Pressly threw off the mound along with a few others.  I then watched a group take bp.  Alex Kirilloff, (sp) was really impressive, he's got a great swing, and should move up quickly.  Beautiful day here, come on down!

Edited February 6, 20188 yr by Halsey Hall

 

They all were doing the usual stretching and running when I got there.  Then to the fields, pitchers to the pen.  Gibson and Pressly threw off the mound along with a few others.  I then watched a group take bp.  Alex Kiriloff, (sp) was really impressive, he's got a great swing, and should move up quickly.  Beautiful day here, come on down!

Not for two weeks!

They all were doing the usual stretching and running when I got there.  Then to the fields, pitchers to the pen.  Gibson and Pressly threw off the mound along with a few others.  I then watched a group take bp.  Alex Kiriloff, (sp) was really impressive, he's got a great swing, and should move up quickly.  Beautiful day here, come on down!

Not for five weeks!

Alex Kirilloff, (sp) was really impressive, he's got a great swing, and should move up quickly. 

They don't throw sliders in the dirt during BP, though.

 

PS, get well soon!

It's a weekend, which means it's slow at Hammond.  I got there late today just as they were wrapping it up.  A handful of fans got autographs from Gonsalves and Slegars, and LEN3 interviewed Slegars.  Kirilloff continued to put on a show in bp this week sending some balls to the high school and on the road. 

Kirilloff continued to put on a show in bp this week sending some balls to the high school and on the road. 

If you tell us that this was from Field Five then I'm really gonna get excited.

 

They all were doing the usual stretching and running when I got there.  Then to the fields, pitchers to the pen.  Gibson and Pressly threw off the mound along with a few others.  I then watched a group take bp.  Alex Kirilloff, (sp) was really impressive, he's got a great swing, and should move up quickly.  Beautiful day here, come on down!

 

Coming to see ya Halsey later this week!

I'll be back in Florida from the 23rd thru the 4th, but the Cubs are in town for ST and Opening Day, so my little time will be spent on the MiLB backfields the rest of the time

There'll be a lot of changes this week with pitchers and catchers having to report tomorrow, and they started today.  The 40 man roster is using the stadium locker room now, so some action has switched from the Mil fields down toward the stadium.  Also, Grossman and Granite are here early.  Slegars and Gonsalves threw on Field one this morning and Garver may have been with them.  Those 3 and Granite all left together.  No signs of Sano lately. 

There;s just no justice, toughest position on the field, catcher.  First out for practice and last one's in.  Today that was just before noon.  No sightings of Fernando Rodney though, so all caps were worn correctly.  Roserio and Kepler worked out also.  Where did all these fans come from?  We were allowed to go to the area next to the bullpen though, which is nice to have tables and benches to sit on out of the sun. 

 

There;s just no justice, toughest position on the field, catcher.  First out for practice and last one's in.  Today that was just before noon.  No sightings of Fernando Rodney though, so all caps were worn correctly.  Roserio and Kepler worked out also.  Where did all these fans come from?  We were allowed to go to the area next to the bullpen though, which is nice to have tables and benches to sit on out of the sun. 

Rodney had a family emergency, but is expected to arrive tomorrow.

No sightings of Fernando Rodney though, so all caps were worn correctly.

Do you realize how easily Fernando could decide to slip through unnoticed? Just a quick twist of the cap for a few moments ...

 

Do you realize how easily Fernando could decide to slip through unnoticed? Just a quick twist of the cap for a few moments ...

 

Careful partner, I got a rebuke from Admins about excessive referencing of Rodney's cap situation.

 

It's a quasi-no-no around here.  Hopefully, times change.

 

 

No signs of Sano lately. 

 

Has been in the Dominican for his annual 10-day or so hitting workout with Tatis.  Will be there when position players report.

Careful partner, I got a rebuke from Admins about excessive referencing of Rodney's cap situation.

 

It's a quasi-no-no around here.  Hopefully, times change.

Good point. I hope no one takes the occasional comment as referencing his character.

Had an opportunity to visit the complex today....sure is fun seeing baseball up close and personal again! Saw both Rodney and Gibson.

Open house today.  Practice lasted til 1:30.  No Dozier, who's got kidney stones.  Hope he has better luck than I have.  I got for more tests wednesday.  They couldn't find the stone and inserted a stent, which my doctor now says shouldn't have been done and it's got to go.  After these tests I'll lobby to have the kidney removed.