Saturday, February 17, 2007

A Day in the Life (Spring Training)

Let's just imagine what it must be like to be a major league ballplayer at spring training. Try to map out your average day, before the games begin at least. Let's be real. We'll use pitchers as our example, and obviously the AA wannabe has a little different outlook than the grizzled veteran.

7:25 AM Wakeup call

7:30 -8:00 Check out Sportscenter while dressing. Anybody traded? Down some vitamins, supplements, 2 cups of coffee.

8:00-8:30 Read Wall Street Journal, Section C. How long do I have to play this game before I can buy an island anyway?

8:30:8:45 Japanese lessons (just kidding)...Xbox

8:45-9:00 Travel to City of Palms

9:00-9:30 Dress, shoot the breeze, blow off reporters (unless atractive women in tow)

9:30 On the field

9:35 Manager's pep talk, plan for the day

9:35-9:45 Stretch, tell jokes, discuss sports news, Tim Hardaway and so on

9:45 - 9:50 Lap around field (optional)

9:50-10:00 Game of catch (before fielding practice)

10:00 - 10:30 Pitchers fielding practice (bunts, covering first base, throwing to bases)...thank God, half of practice is over already

10:30 - 11:15 Long-toss, and pitchers throw to catchers; interspersed are helpful hints from pitching coach...deception, changing speeds, Japanese words for the day, "get on top of the curveball", "bend your back", "leg drive", and so on.

11:15 - 11:25 Sprints...

11:25- 11:30 Manager's end-of-practice pep talk

11:30 - 12:00 Weight room, training room, extra running (optional)

12:00 - 12:15 Shower and shave

12:15 - 1:00 (Lunch, including initial brews)

1:00 - 1:20 (Drive to golf course)

1:20 - 4:30 Golf

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