Report from the Fort: Excitement Leads the Way on Day 1

[John Bonnes]

FORT MYERS - It's time to get to work, but gathering inevitably leads to celebrations of baseball.

 

Yesterday, we poetically delved into the romanticism and joy that accompanies the first few days of spring training. That is appropriate; optimism is the primary characteristic of the first phase of spring training. Talking with folks on Day 1, the participants make that clear.

The Players
It’s time to shake off the rust. That starts with pitchers because they take more time to build up their arm strength. Catchers join them because nobody wants to chase the ball to the backstop after every throw. Four days later, the rest of the position players join camp, because they need less than a week to find their groove. 

Except this year, most guys are way early. It’s not totally clear why. Factors include the World Baseball Classic, optimism about the team, make-or-break years, the lack of COVID, or the fact that last year's lockdown-shortened camp. 

Whatever it is, most can’t wait. This is funny because this first part of the year has a very first-week-back-to-school feel. Players are excited to see each other again. The new kids are making friends; finding a lunch table at which to sit. 

There’s excitement in the air. Goals are fresh in mind. Some are eager to show they’re healthy. Some are eager to test whether or not their offseason workouts will pay dividends on the field. At the very least, those workouts are over. Baseball is the fun part of the season. 

Coaches
The first week of school comparison also applies to coaches, trainers, management, etc. Yes, they are also excited to reconnect with each other and players. But the teachers are also sizing up their students' potential - both for greatness and for trouble. They also get a chance to see younger players whom they have only heard about in the minors. Glimpsing the future in those newcomers fires up everyone who loves the game. 

By definition, the coaches love the game; they wouldn’t have chosen their career if they didn’t. So if you think the players are excited, you can only imagine the spring in the coaching staff’s step. 

Reporters
For reporters, this is the best part of camp, too. Players are ready to talk, partly because they’re excited, but also because we haven’t worn them down with the same questions repeatedly. So this is an opportunity to interview players, transcribe the interviews, and then tuck them away to be referenced in a future story.

The Love of the Game exhilaration applies here, too. Being a beat writer for baseball is a grind, even compared to other sports beats that grind. It’s basically every day or night, for eight months, and the opportunities often require relocating. Again, nobody who isn’t obsessed with baseball subjects themselves to that, especially for what they are paid.  

Plus - I won’t lie - the days are shorter in this phase of spring training. No afternoon games, and no trips across the state. It’s easily the best and most productive time to attend as a reporter. 

Fans
It’s the best time to attend as a fan, too, at least if your goal is to have more interaction with the players than you’re likely to ever have again.

There is a path to the practice field where the players walk early each morning and back late each morning. It has barriers to separate them from fans, but the barriers are waist high, and, as mentioned, the players are generally excited. They will often stop for selfies, autographs, high 5s, etc., especially on the way back. 

Plus, batting cages and the bullpens are both somewhat viewable as well. Want to see Jhoan Duran’s velocity up close? Or see Nick Gordon working with Torii Hunter in the batting cage? There are no guarantees but you’ll see something if you peer long enough through the fences and screens.

There is one day in particular when excitement is at its peak, and the Twins announced that today. The day after position players report, the Twins have an open house, where they open up Hammond Stadium (including concessions), have some special events (especially for kids), and provide even more chances to interact with players. This year, it’s Monday, the 20th. 

But mostly any day before games start, you’ll have access you can’t quite believe - provided you show up in the morning. Timing is the biggest obstacle to all these experiences - they happen in the morning. This is by design: Florida can get pretty hot in the afternoons. 

Players are often in the fields  By 9 AM. (Some much earlier.) they’re often back by 11 or 12.  The camp can be a ghost town in the afternoon. You’ve been warned. 

Am I trying to convince you to come to spring training? Yes. Yes, I am. If you care enough to seek out Twins news on Day 1, you probably care enough to enjoy yourself. And if you are reading this because you’re excited about watching grown men play catch, then you’re going to fit right in, right here, right now. 

 

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[jrod23]

God bless ya Bonnes.  This is EXACTLY what I needed to read tonight.  I've only been once to Fort Myers, but I love the joys baseball in the spring brings.  I wear a different jersey every day at school this week to celebrate the start of the best season in America.  My students are champs and embrace every bit of it with me.  They're excited to listen to the first game over lunch in my classroom.  Enjoy yourself John.

[ashbury]

Pitchers and catchers report now. Ashbury reports in another month. Can't wait!

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Hooray!

[se7799]

Thankyou for the insight John. How long will you be there sir? This will be my 10th spring training.  Hands down my favorite few weeks of every year.  I've been blessed to make many new friends down at the Fort.

[miracleb]

TY John!  Now lets get down to brass tacks!  How does Miranda's "new" body look!

:)

 

[HrbieFan]

59 minutes ago, miracleb said:

TY John!  Now lets get down to brass tacks!  How does Miranda's "new" body look!

:)

 

According to Carlos, he is sexy! 

[Squirrel]

I know position players like getting there early even though official report day for them isn’t until next week, but who isn’t there yet?

[Brock Beauchamp]

9 hours ago, se7799 said:

Thankyou for the insight John. How long will you be there sir? This will be my 10th spring training.  Hands down my favorite few weeks of every year.  I've been blessed to make many new friends down at the Fort.

John will be down there for close to a month, I believe, but won't be covering the team the entire time. Nick, Seth, and Parker will also rotate in and out over the next six-ish weeks.

[Kipp35]

You sold me on it. I am booking my flight!!!

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I'm arriving March 4th and staying until March 11th. I hope to visit with some of you there. We ought to have TD hats or tee shirts to wear, so we can i.d. each other as TD members. Maybe TD can issue official TD Press Passes to each of us TD posters and contributors, if we promise to write an article about our experiences at Spring Training. I'm also looking forward to talking with Do Park of MLB.com. We met last year and had a pleasant conversation. If you are going to be there March 4-11 and want to say hello, look for me. I'll probably be wearing an olive drab Second Infantry Division baseball style hat, sun-glasses, sun screen and maybe an Imjin Scout tee shirt. I'll be there some mornings and at the Tigers, Orioles and Dominican Republic games at Hammond Field. The first beer is on me. Play Ball ! David Benbow, aka tarheeltwinsfan

[BuxtonBonanza]

The excitement is palpable, enjoy that Florida weather! 

[se7799]

1 hour ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

John will be down there for close to a month, I believe, but won't be covering the team the entire time. Nick, Seth, and Parker will also rotate in and out over the next six-ish weeks.

Thankyou Broch.  I will be on the lookout.  Thanks for all you guys do!

[se7799]

1 hour ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I'm arriving March 4th and staying until March 11th. I hope to visit with some of you there. We ought to have TD hats or tee shirts to wear, so we can i.d. each other as TD members. Maybe TD can issue official TD Press Passes to each of us TD posters and contributors, if we promise to write an article about our experiences at Spring Training. I'm also looking forward to talking with Do Park of MLB.com. We met last year and had a pleasant conversation. If you are going to be there March 4-11 and want to say hello, look for me. I'll probably be wearing an olive drab Second Infantry Division baseball style hat, sun-glasses, sun screen and maybe an Imjin Scout tee shirt. I'll be there some mornings and at the Tigers, Orioles and Dominican Republic games at Hammond Field. The first beer is on me. Play Ball ! David Benbow, aka tarheeltwinsfan

Love it!

[se7799]

Not sure we're to put this..so I will drop it here.  There is a great program called Adopt A Minor Leaguer.  I joined because well long story.... Anyways it has lead to life long frienships...which is secondary only to the fact many players can use the help.  I would write an article about it, however my writing skills are subpar.  If anybody has any questions Google it or feel free to ask me.  Thanks!

[TCSquad]

Tell management it would be better if you had people shooting t-shirts during practices, so they'll send us down there next season!

[garn from vancouver]

i get in on the 9th and am driving around the state watching games not just twins games. i'll be there until the 16th. i think.

 

i have never gone to spring raining in florida - always AZ. should be fun.

[MN_ExPat]

2 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I'm arriving March 4th and staying until March 11th. I hope to visit with some of you there. We ought to have TD hats or tee shirts to wear, so we can i.d. each other as TD members. Maybe TD can issue official TD Press Passes to each of us TD posters and contributors, if we promise to write an article about our experiences at Spring Training. I'm also looking forward to talking with Do Park of MLB.com. We met last year and had a pleasant conversation. If you are going to be there March 4-11 and want to say hello, look for me. I'll probably be wearing an olive drab Second Infantry Division baseball style hat, sun-glasses, sun screen and maybe an Imjin Scout tee shirt. I'll be there some mornings and at the Tigers, Orioles and Dominican Republic games at Hammond Field. The first beer is on me. Play Ball ! David Benbow, aka tarheeltwinsfan

If I could get away from work and make it down, I would 100% take you up on it Tarheel!  Alas, I have to reserve my few getaways for my my son's first college season.  I will be there in spirt though .

[MABB1959]

MLB had a list of non pitchers already in camp.  No mention of Buxton.  Do you think they will wait until the last possible minute to tell us when or if he will be healthy?  

[Halsey Hall]

Button and Correa are not here yet.  They keep us on our toes this year not knowing what time they practice, 9 am, 11am and 1 pm.  Some guys sign when done.  Some don’t, same as always, “later”.  It’s hot here.  Monday they say we will be able to get under the stands by the bullpen , that will be a relief.

[djvang]

We've been going to spring training for over 20 years. The practice schedule changed under Rocco. You used to be able to show up two hours before game time and see the players who weren't in the lineup that day taking BP and shagging flies on the field next to the stadium. Now there's nothing going on except minor league workouts on the outer fields.  The major leaguers are either done by 11:00 or in the batting cages over by the offices. And you can't get close to them.

[D.C Twins]

I had the opportunity to go to Spring Training in 1987 as a 13 year old as part of a package.

I don't take all the credit for the WS later that year... but I did have the opportunity to tell TK that I liked what I saw in Al Newman and that I thought he should bring him North. Obviously he did so only based on my recommendation 🤣

TK was very kind to a teenage brat and, though I can't remember the specific comments, he had a great, albeit very dry, sense of humor!

Seriously though, great memories and a recommend going at least once for kids (of any age :)