Spring Training Question

[farmerguychris]

Couple of questions here please for anybody who has been to spring training-

Went for the first time a couple of years ago, and think I may have missed out on a couple of things.  Thinking of going back this year if we can find a place to stay after the hurricane took out some options.

1 - I spent all of my time on the back 4 fields in the 'diamond' area where all the young guys were practicing - no major league players were even around.  But I never went into Hammond other than for a game.  Were the major league guys perhaps practicing around there and I should have made my way up to the big stadium?

2 - I went pretty early in the season - I was there for maybe their 6th or 7th game - that might also play a role of why I saw few big league names.  When is the best time to see as many players (both prospects and big league) players to help my kids get signatures?

Thanks for any advice.

[Brock Beauchamp]

@Seth Stohs and @Squirrel are probably the people to ask about this.

[Squirrel]

1 hour ago, farmerguychris said:

1 - I spent all of my time on the back 4 fields in the 'diamond' area where all the young guys were practicing - no major league players were even around.  But I never went into Hammond other than for a game.  Were the major league guys perhaps practicing around there and I should have made my way up to the big stadium?

Once games have started I don’t think you see as much practice out in the open, but the fields to check are the ones adjacent to the stadium. There is a full field and a half field. Also, under the stadium are the batting cages, and they are open to view. And the BP just around the corner from there. They are in the same side as those adjacent fields. During away games you may see guys who aren’t traveling practicing there, but not as much later in spring. Usually they are done by late morning, so you’d have to get there early. Later in the month you do occasionally see a major leaguer or two jumping into a minor league game … guys who need extra at bats or pitchers needing to get innings in, but rarely in the field, unless it’s a AAA-ML cusp or back and forth player.

1 hour ago, farmerguychris said:

When is the best time to see as many players (both prospects and big league) players to help my kids get signatures?

It’s sometimes difficult to know who will be where when, but on game day, get there early and check out the action on the minor league fields then wander up to the stadium and see if anything is going on in the cages, BP area and the adjacent fields.

I generally like being there the week leading up to the first game … lots of players around doing various activities. The time to get autographs is usually before or at the end of practice. During, the guys are pretty focussed on getting their work in.

Another good person to ask is @Halsey Hall. He has spent way more time at ST, all of ST, than anyone and usually knows the ins and outs. I’m usually there a week here or there, and it’s usually different weeks each year, depending on my schedule.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I've found that after the ML players are finishing their morning practices at the back fields and under the stadium at the batting cages ( usually after 11 am) they will say hello and talk as they are still on the fields walking to the locker rooms. I don't talk to them while they are actually practicing. However I do enjoy eves-dropping on their conversations with the other players and the coaches. Hunter, Berrios, Jason Castro and Eddie Rosario have all been very friendly and talkative after practice. I'm not an autograph seeker. I just enjoy the conversations. I actually enjoy seeing the drills, smelling the green grass, the warmth of the sun and  and remembering when I was young and playing baseball. Nostalgia is a big part of spring training for me. The crack of the bats and the slap of baseballs hitting glove leather, the infield chatter, the laughter when a great scoop is made at 1B or teasing the coach who is supposed to be hitting fly balls to the outfield, when he pops up with a fungo bat. It really is a game that is fun to play when there is not much at stake. 

[farmerguychris]

22 hours ago, Squirrel said:

Once games have started I don’t think you see as much practice out in the open, but the fields to check are the ones adjacent to the stadium. There is a full field and a half field. Also, under the stadium are the batting cages, and they are open to view. And the BP just around the corner from there. They are in the same side as those adjacent fields. During away games you may see guys who aren’t traveling practicing there, but not as much later in spring. Usually they are done by late morning, so you’d have to get there early. Later in the month you do occasionally see a major leaguer or two jumping into a minor league game … guys who need extra at bats or pitchers needing to get innings in, but rarely in the field, unless it’s a AAA-ML cusp or back and forth player.

When you say adjacent to the big Hammond stadium - are you saying what would be out past the left field fence of Hammond for that full and a half field?  I've never wandered over there.

Last question - another fan I was talking to said there is somewhere a box with pamphlets in it that have jersey numbers matched to names.  So many of the prospects I'm excited to see - but can't match faces and names without knowing what numbers they are wearing.  Do you know what I'm talking about or where to find that?

Thanks for your feedback.

Flight, hotel, and tickets booked.  Lets go Twins.

 

[Squirrel]

42 minutes ago, farmerguychris said:

When you say adjacent to the big Hammond stadium - are you saying what would be out past the left field fence of Hammond for that full and a half field?  I've never wandered over there.

Last question - another fan I was talking to said there is somewhere a box with pamphlets in it that have jersey numbers matched to names.  So many of the prospects I'm excited to see - but can't match faces and names without knowing what numbers they are wearing.  Do you know what I'm talking about or where to find that?

Thanks for your feedback.

Flight, hotel, and tickets booked.  Lets go Twins.

 

Yes, that half field and full field which is right across from the ticket office, so off of left field.

I'm not sure what they do anymore, but I think they used to have something out for the Twins 40-man roster and non-roster invitees, but not for all the minor leaguers, at least not that I know of. And that list was available during the week or two leading up to games starting. Once games start you can simply buy a program book.

[Halsey Hall]

I wii agree with Squirrel and his comments.  All spring it’s easy to get autographs from the players, easier at the start.  My big mouth has added to the attendance on away games from what used to be 7 or 8 of us to around 30 some days.  Usually we can’t go into Hammond, dut the field next to it is where they practice.  Also they do walk down to the other fields to practice.  Someone asked where to get rosters, for the 40 man they sell them for $1 by the first field.  The minors roster, which is always later are put in a box on the minor league offices wall.  Also, there was some damage done so things will likely be different this year.  I doubt we will be able to go underneath to the bullpen.