Spring Training 2016: Questions/Info/Help/Etc

[Blake]

via MLB.com

 

Twins:

 

Pitchers and catchers: Feb. 22
Full squad: Feb. 27

 

That is all.*

 

 

 

 

 

*pardon if this has already been posted.

[Squirrel]

 

via MLB.com

 

Twins:

 

Pitchers and catchers: Feb. 22
Full squad: Feb. 27

 

That is all.*

 

 

 

 

 

*pardon if this has already been posted.

I don't think it had been mentioned anywhere specifically, so thanks for the info. I still merged it with the other thread, so maybe we can have one thread for people to post this kind of information.

[Blake]

 

I don't think it had been mentioned anywhere specifically, so thanks for the info. I still merged it with the other thread, so maybe we can have one thread for people to post this kind of information.

Okay with me. 

 

Not baseball season is just about over. Whoo hoo!!

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm going to sticky this up on the main board until another mod overrules me  and let people chime in here, but pitchers and catchers is less than a month away and the games will be going on in full come March.  I know a number of people will be there, and it might be fun to post our schedules so we can meet up.

 

For me, it looks like I'll be there for a few days (probably March 11 to the 13th), but that's not quite set yet.  I'll try and keep editing the main post to show everyone who is going.

 

Edit:

 

Halsey Hall and Bob Sacramento- all ST

ChitownTwinsFan - Feb 28-March13

SDBuhr - March 14-23

Loosey - Feb 14-18

 

[Halsey Hall]

I'm here now.  Players all at Twins Fest but for some rehabbing minor leaguers, like Thorpe. 

[Squirrel]

I'll be around from 28 Feb - 13 March. Have tix to two games and will likely just show up for others. Will try to get to a practice before games start. Halsey, are you there every day?

[Halsey Hall]

I'll probably be there every day.  Big changes for me down here,  I'm renting a room in a house this year, (off Craig's List), and it's very boring so I'll spend a lot of time at the fields.  They look great now with all the rain here. 

[DrNeau]

I'll be making quite a few weekend games and some scattered weekday games. Can't wait for baseball to start again. Will be interesting to see how the roster shakes out; curious which young guns will step up and win bullpen spots, if Berrios can force the front office's hand, how our new catcher looks, if Kepler can hang with the big boys, what progress Buxton has made, etc. Going to be exciting!

[Loosey]

Heading down to Fort Myers/Naples area the week of February 15th.  A week before pitchers and catchers report.  Is there anything to do at Hammond during this time before guys report?  Or is it a ghost town?

[Squirrel]

I've merged a few threads here to try and keep all the ST type questions all together. There is some good info in here as well as when people will be there.

 

 

Heading down to Fort Myers/Naples area the week of February 15th.  A week before pitchers and catchers report.  Is there anything to do at Hammond during this time before guys report?  Or is it a ghost town?

 

Halsey is a good person to ask as he's pretty much there every day. Sacramento Bob will also have info on this. It's not a ghost town at that time. Guys are there working out and doing drills, albeit not 'officially.' Not sure of the when or where of it, but usually in the mornings. Just head over, park, and wander the fields to see who's out doing what.

 

Halsey? Bob? Care to elaborate?

[Loosey]

 

I've merged a few threads here to try and keep all the ST type questions all together. There is some good info in here as well as when people will be there.

 

 

 

Halsey is a good person to ask as he's pretty much there every day. Sacramento Bob will also have info on this. It's not a ghost town at that time. Guys are there working out and doing drills, albeit not 'officially.' Not sure of the when or where of it, but usually in the mornings. Just head over, park, and wander the fields to see who's out doing what.

 

Halsey? Bob? Care to elaborate?

Would any of the players be annoyed if my 4 year-old wanted to meet/shake a hand after they were done working out?

[Squirrel]

 

Would any of the players be annoyed if my 4 year-old wanted to meet/shake a hand after they were done working out?

Not sure about that, since it's really before official workouts start. I know when ST has officially started, and the practices are officially scheduled practices, I think they usually like you to wait until the end so as not to interrupt the players while they are 'at work.' Again, hoping Halsey and Bob can enlighten us all so check back.

[Loosey]

 

Not sure about that, since it's really before official workouts start. I know when ST has officially started, and the practices are officially scheduled practices, I think they usually like you to wait until the end so as not to interrupt the players while they are 'at work.' Again, hoping Halsey and Bob can enlighten us all so check back.

Obviously it would be after they are done working.  I don't even think he would walk up to them anyways.  Just wondering if it's basically if it's my kid and I sitting there will the players acknowledge him and say hi as they are walking back to the clubhouse.  I'll wait to see if Bob or Halsey have any details or I will message Bob on Twitter.

[Guest]

I've finalized my plans and will be arriving in Ft Myers March 14, departing March 23. From the other comments here, it appears I probably picked the wrong year to decide to rent a place on FtM Beach, but I wanted my wife to have more to do during the day after I take the car and head to the ballpark. Guess I'll just have to allow plenty of drive time.

 

Loosey, I'm not sure about the big leaguers, but I don't think you'd have any trouble at all getting players on the minor league side to stop and say hi to your youngster after they are done with their workouts. The minor leaguers in the Twins organization, by and large, are great with kids (and even non-kids), in my experience.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Would any of the players be annoyed if my 4 year-old wanted to meet/shake a hand after they were done working out?

Most of the players (minors more than majors) are extremely friendly especially to the kids so that wouldn't be an issue just don't expect too much between workouts as "they are working".  Just as long as they don't think you're out there trying to get rich off their autographs shouldn't be a problem.  Right now there is next to no one out there, myself, a couple of geriatrics, and a great local photographer (William Parameter).  Before Twinsfest weekend, I saw Adam Brett Walker and Bryan Haar partaking in drills as well as Oswaldo Arcia working on his first step, and Mason Melontakis throwing on flat ground.  I'll be posting video to my YouTube channel, to my Flickr and Twitter, you can check out last year's spring training on all three.  If I could ever get Periscope to work properly, I'd do that one too.

 

Here are a few videos from last year to get you thru the last few weeks without baseball:

 

 Torii Hunter giving Buxton and Hicks some pointers

Nick Burdi vs Max Kepler

Taylor Rodgers warming up in the Pen

Josh Guyer working on his delivery

Miguel Sano showing Nick Burdi the AA team handshake

[Bob Sacamento]

 

I've finalized my plans and will be arriving in Ft Myers March 14, departing March 23. From the other comments here, it appears I probably picked the wrong year to decide to rent a place on FtM Beach, but I wanted my wife to have more to do during the day after I take the car and head to the ballpark. Guess I'll just have to allow plenty of drive time.

 

You are looking at probably an hour maybe hour and half each way just depends how far down Estero Blvd you are.  Try leaving before dawn and not returning til after sunset so you avoid the bumper to bumper one lane traffic with road construction.  Definitely not the year to stay down on the beach, especially once you add in the water runoff from Lake Ocheechobee which makes the usually beautiful water look like crap.  Sanibel area is just disgusting right now.

[Guest]

 

You are looking at probably an hour maybe hour and half each way just depends how far down Estero Blvd you are.  Try leaving before dawn and not returning til after sunset so you avoid the bumper to bumper one lane traffic with road construction.  Definitely not the year to stay down on the beach, especially once you add in the water runoff from Lake Ocheechobee which makes the usually beautiful water look like crap.  Sanibel area is just disgusting right now.

Thanks. We'll be relatively close to the northern end and the bridge there, so hopefully that will help. Guess we shall see when we get there.

[Squirrel]

 

I've finalized my plans and will be arriving in Ft Myers March 14, departing March 23. From the other comments here, it appears I probably picked the wrong year to decide to rent a place on FtM Beach, but I wanted my wife to have more to do during the day after I take the car and head to the ballpark. Guess I'll just have to allow plenty of drive time.

 

 

 

Personally, I'd take the 'back way' in and out of there, and not come across the bridge to San Carlos Blvd. Given the backups that happen during season, can't imagine how bad it's going to be when it was like that already back in December when I was there last. But, who knows ...

 

Sorry I'll miss you ... I'm heading back north on the 13th.

[Squirrel]

 

 

Thanks. We'll be relatively close to the northern end and the bridge there, so hopefully that will help. Guess we shall see when we get there.

Oh, ack, okay then ... forget my previous advice then. But as Bob said, allow for plenty of time.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

I'm going to sticky this up on the main board until another mod overrules me  and let people chime in here, but pitchers and catchers is less than a month away and the games will be going on in full come March.  I know a number of people will be there, and it might be fun to post our schedules so we can meet up.

 

For me, it looks like I'll be there for a few days (probably March 11 to the 13th), but that's not quite set yet.  I'll try and keep editing the main post to show everyone who is going.

 

Edit:

 

Halsey Hall - all ST

ChitownTwinsFan - Feb 28-March13

Bob Sacamento - All freaking year!  ST, EXST, FSL, GCL, and Instructs, not to mention a few of the draft eligible players the team brings to town in June for workouts.

[Halsey Hall]

 

Thanks. We'll be relatively close to the northern end and the bridge there, so hopefully that will help. Guess we shall see when we get there.

Joe Benson lives on the beach and said yesterday it's not bad leaving early in the morning.  I hear it's about an hour and a half getting back unless you wait later in the day. 

[Halsey Hall]

 

Heading down to Fort Myers/Naples area the week of February 15th.  A week before pitchers and catchers report.  Is there anything to do at Hammond during this time before guys report?  Or is it a ghost town?

Loosey, I'd say you are going at the perfect time!  I'd say there'll be at least 40 players with the minors and not many fans.  Most all the players are happy to converse

 

with fans and take pictures, so bring a camera.  And there won't be that many fans, which will triple at least a week later..  Today there were 5 of us.  Gibson, Fien and Arcia were back from the Fest.  Oswaldo was more than happy to sign for a couple guys with cards and then looked at me and a buddy but we didn't have anything.  He said it was cold in Minnesota.  

 

If you need help, just ask for DJ and someone will point me out.  You'll have a blast.   

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Heading down to Fort Myers/Naples area the week of February 15th.  A week before pitchers and catchers report.  Is there anything to do at Hammond during this time before guys report?  Or is it a ghost town?

Not a ghost town at the time, the players that are here are usually out by 9am, a couple like to start 7-8am, not too many, to do some running up the "Hill".  In the past Buxton and Mauer have been early guys. By about 11ish, its lunch time and the hitters usually go to the indoor cages

[Loosey]

Awesome. Thanks for the information.

[Loosey]

 

I'm going to sticky this up on the main board until another mod overrules me  and let people chime in here, but pitchers and catchers is less than a month away and the games will be going on in full come March.  I know a number of people will be there, and it might be fun to post our schedules so we can meet up.

 

For me, it looks like I'll be there for a few days (probably March 11 to the 13th), but that's not quite set yet.  I'll try and keep editing the main post to show everyone who is going.

 

Edit:

 

Halsey Hall - all ST

ChitownTwinsFan - Feb 28-March13

Loosey - February 14-18  Pre-Spring Training but plan to stop by one morning to walk around. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

For those TD ST regulars, is there a particular area of the stadium where TDers tend to congregate?  I'm not sure I'll make there for the game on the 11th, but I'll be there on the 13th and wanted to buy tickets sooner than later (or does it make more sense to just walk up and buy a ticket).

[Squirrel]

 

For those TD ST regulars, is there a particular area of the stadium where TDers tend to congregate?  I'm not sure I'll make there for the game on the 11th, but I'll be there on the 13th and wanted to buy tickets sooner than later (or does it make more sense to just walk up and buy a ticket).

I think if you know people are going to be there, PM them and find a place to meet. Halsey PM'd me a couple years back, knowing I was around Fort Myers a lot and we found a time to meet out at the stadium. It's usually pretty casual like that. I think when Stringer and I first met, we knew we were going to be at the same game so we exchanged where our seats were. And Seth, when he's there, well, he's just easy to find down by the minor league practice fields. (And I'm hoping he does a few more iPad interviews this year. I'd offer to help if we were there at the same time but I think I'll be back north before he gets there.) So, like that ... but this requires that people post when they will be there, if they want. Some may want to move around with stealth and anonymity.

[Ronald Zimmerman]

 

For the first time in my long life as a Twins' fan I am going to get to go to spring training (the week of March 7th). I'm looking for people's input who have been there on what to do while there - such as how to watch minor league practices/games, where to go before and after the games, how to best get tickets, and maybe even any good tourist sites in the Ft. Myers area.

 

Any thoughts my fellow Twins fans can provide would be greatly appreciated! 

 

EDIT (diehardtwinsfan):  Putting schedule at top of thread:

 

Halsey Hall and Bob Sacramento- all ST

ChitownTwinsFan - Feb 28-March13

SDBuhr - March 14-23

Loosey - Feb 14-18

Dougkeobernick - March 7-13

Awesome thread and quotes. At 61 I get to fulfill a bucket list dream as well and the responses here are fantastic. I get to go down about March 21st and catch a few games, but the side fields thing is very helpful as well. Great info. looking forward to the start of the 2016 season!

[USAFChief]

For those TD ST regulars, is there a particular area of the stadium where TDers tend to congregate?  I'm not sure I'll make there for the game on the 11th, but I'll be there on the 13th and wanted to buy tickets sooner than later (or does it make more sense to just walk up and buy a ticket).

Try the beer vending area through the first six innings, the last stall in the rest room the last three.

[Loosey]

Planing on stopping in tomorrow morning at Hammond with my 4 year old son. Anyone in particular I should ask for that may be there tomorrow. I haven't met any other TD ers before.