Team assignments

There was a pre-camp dinner tonight to get team assignments and general instructions. I am on a team managed by Stan Cliburn, the manager of the Minnesota Twins AAA Rochester team. We play at Terry Park in Fort Myers, a county owned facility that has four fields -- and has in the past been the spring training headquarters for the Pittsburgh Pirates and other teams. There are approximately 72 players on six teams for the week. The daily schedule: 9-9:15 stretching; 9:15-9:20 announcements; 9:20-9:30 throwing; 9:30-10:15 either batting practice by team or specialty instruction (pitching, catching, infield, outfield); 10:15-10:30 pre-game warm-up; 10:30-12:30 6 inning game; 12:30-1:30 lunch; 1:30-2:15 batting practice or specialty instruction; 2:15-2:30 pre-game warmup at game field; 2:30-4:30 6 inning game. After that, major icing down and multiple pain relievers. Sleep should come easy.

Don Buford, formerly of the Orioles, is here for the week for individual batting instruction; and Jose Cardenal is also here. Other managers are: Victor Rodriguez, Red Sox minor league hitting coordinator; Arnie Beyeler, Red Sox AA Portland Sea Dogs manager; Rick Knapp, Detroit Tigers pitching coach; Darrin Garner, a coach in the Seattle Mariners minor league system; Eric Rasmussen, pitching coach in the Minnesota Twins minor league system.

More tomorrow after the first day of games (weather permitting.)