Dear Twins - Spring Training Access... Please don't change!

[Riverbrian]

Today is my last day in Fort Myers. After the game today, I'm off for Miami and Tampa before heading back home Easter morning. 

Attending spring training was something I've always wanted to do for decades. I had always heard that you could attend spring training and wonder around, however I had no idea what that meant.  

The access to the players and facilities granted to a fan who flew from North Dakota was beyond the expectation of someone that had no idea what to expect. The entire complex was there for me to observe. How close you get to the players is more than I could imagine, getting the chance to speak with the players was something I did not expect. 

Watching minor league arms throw bullpens up close was wonderful. Up close you see the movement on some impressive two-seamers and sliders. I spent some time talking with a young catcher out of California. Dillon Tatum was his name and I will be following him from here on out because he was such a nice guy and he is chasing a dream and I will be pulling for him to realize it. 

Watching Wallner and Lewis hit in the batting cage from maybe 10 yards away. Watching Jay Jackson throw to Ryan Jeffers in the pen was a treat. Meeting Johan Santana, my favorite Twins pitcher ever wasn't expected when I got on that plane but it is something that I will take back with me. Latroy Hawkins, Royce Lewis, Eduardo Julien, Matt Wallner, Pablo Lopez could not have been nicer. 

I have no idea how many teams grant this type of access. I can't imagine that many teams do. I imagine that it takes a little tolerance from some of the players. Some may like it, some may not but... I hope that the Twins never change because what the Twins organization allowed this fan to do was... special and in reality... special just isn't a strong enough word. 

To the fans... Don't ruin it. Don't be the reason they have to change. Maintain your respect for the players and the facilities... don't take for granted how incredible this is. 

To the players... Thank You! We were all geeky and clumsy interactions but each interaction is a big deal to the person you are interacting with. That's why they flew to Florida when they could be enjoying winter in Minnesota.  

To the Twins organization. Thank You! Decision makers come and go and someone may show up to a meeting one day with the idea to restrict access. When that day comes, I hope there are enough people in the room who understand how incredible it is for the average Joe. 

 

 

 

[stringer bell]

I haven't been to Fort Myers since 2020, when my visit was shortened by the pandemic, but I hope to return next year. I want to second everything Brian has said. It's a great experience and the exhibition games are probably the least interesting part of it. 

I have fond memories of sitting next to Michael Tonkin (the day after he was sent to the minors) and close to an injured Miguel Sanó, having a great time with other Spanish-speaking minor leaguers. I stood adjacent to Terry Ryan, answering questions from fans, while trying to watch the action of two minor league games at once.

My brother and I met Niko Goodrum's dad (at the time hoping Niko would get sufficient playing time at either AA or AAA) I got an autograph from Brian Dozier, the year he converted to second base.

In 2020, I went to the complex only to find it almost empty. I walked to the park looking for sign and saw an elderly man walking back to his car. It was Tony-O and I have a selfie with him from the day that baseball was suspended. 

I hope the Twins keep things as they are in Fort Myers. It is a great experience not to be missed by Twins fans!

[Road trip]

I'll echo this.  I've been four times now, and it is an experience every Twins fan should try to take in once.

The actual spring training game is less interesting than what you experience on the back fields.  Show up early, well before the game starting time!  I made it again this year and was right on the chain link fence behind the plate watching Farmer, Kirilloff, Santana, Julien, and several others take live batting practice off of Balazovic and Thielbar.  Several years ago I got to watch Rod Carew work with hitters on bunting, all from about 15 yards away.  And as Riverbrian noted, you get to see a lot of minor leaguers at work, everything from top prospects to guys even rabid fans haven't heard of.

[FlyingFinn]

My trip there is probably years away. Are there better weeks to go than others? Just assuming the first and last weeks of camp can be different than the rest of camp.

[Riverbrian]

I can only speak for the tail end. The Major and Minors seem to be pretty separated at this point. You have access to both but go hang by the stadium and Rick Stelmaszek Field for the major leaguers. 

Go deeper into the complex away from the stadium for access to the minor league players. 

Do both is my recommendation. 

By the way behind the academy on Bill Smith field. They have a pond with Gators in it. So keep your eye on the practice and the gators at the same time. I never have to do that in North Dakota. 

[SD happy]

I’m now retired. It always was on my bucket list to go one time. Last year was my first year. I enjoyed it so much, I went again this year and will do it every year for as long as I’m able.

[ashbury]

RB, you expressed my experience there perfectly.

Did you by chance "wander" as far as the other side of I-75 to give Jet Blue Park a try?  I'm thinking no, because if you had, you would know the answer to your question about whether the open experience is available to all other fans: the answer is, no.  A lot of their back fields are roped off, or at least were the couple of years I tried to go see.  It's not bad there, but nothing like at our Twins' facility.

If I am at Ft Myers with no one else, I might not even set foot inside the ballpark for the nominal "major league" games.  You can see major leaguers on the back fields anyway, now and then, especially on days the big club is at an away game.  Watch Byron Buxton bat leadoff for each of the first four innings, followed by Carlos Correa (or maybe it was Jorge Polanco)?  Heaven.  I hadn't sat so close to Byron since that one time back in the Arizona Fall League.

If anyone is on the fence about going (aside from money), I have two words: Do It.

[Squirrel]

8 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

My trip there is probably years away. Are there better weeks to go than others? Just assuming the first and last weeks of camp can be different than the rest of camp.

No matter when you go it’s something different. I kind of like the week before games begin, starting with the first official team practice. But as things are more organized on the backfields, with games beginning back there, that’s also great. Wandering from one end to the other. Going to a game or two in the stadium is great, but spending time there on a non-game day is really the best.

Ive gone to ST every year since 2001, missing only 2021.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

9 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

My trip there is probably years away. Are there better weeks to go than others? Just assuming the first and last weeks of camp can be different than the rest of camp.

When Pitchers and Catchers report, some hitters show up, but they don’t really do drills or backfield games. The first full week with hitters, usually end of Feb into beginning of March, is my favorite. Just a couple days after they begin drills, but the moods are still good because they are all catching up with old friends and family. the closer to opening day, the more minor leaguers get reassigned and things get serious. It’s still a lot of fun! But that first full week… 

and you can also run into “us” at ST too. Many of us go every year, meet us at winter meltdown, see us again at ST.

i usually run into Seth Stohs for some reason. He’s always super nice!
 

[Riverbrian]

23 hours ago, ashbury said:

RB, you expressed my experience there perfectly.

Did you by chance "wander" as far as the other side of I-75 to give Jet Blue Park a try?  I'm thinking no, because if you had, you would know the answer to your question about whether the open experience is available to all other fans: the answer is, no.  A lot of their back fields are roped off, or at least were the couple of years I tried to go see.  It's not bad there, but nothing like at our Twins' facility.

If I am at Ft Myers with no one else, I might not even set foot inside the ballpark for the nominal "major league" games.  You can see major leaguers on the back fields anyway, now and then, especially on days the big club is at an away game.  Watch Byron Buxton bat leadoff for each of the first four innings, followed by Carlos Correa (or maybe it was Jorge Polanco)?  Heaven.  I hadn't sat so close to Byron since that one time back in the Arizona Fall League.

If anyone is on the fence about going (aside from money), I have two words: Do It.

It was certainly Wanderful. 

I went to Jetblue for the game on Saturday night. Didn't try to attend practices. I just can't imagine teams granting that kind of access so those snobby Red Sox don't surprise me. 

You are right... The games didn't mean much at all. It was the hanging around that makes it worthwhile. 

Wanderful... just wanderful. 

[ashbury]

2 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

It was certainly Wanderful. 

I went to Jetblue for the game on Saturday night. Didn't try to attend practices. I just can't imagine teams granting that kind of access so those snobby Red Sox don't surprise me. 

You are right... The games didn't mean much at all. It was the hanging around that makes it worthwhile. 

Wanderful... just wanderful. 

I forgot to mention, and maybe I shouldn't, but on a day when the major league team is away, you can sometimes go inside the ballpark itself to visit the team shop, and if by chance you get confused and turn the wrong direction when leaving the shop you can sometimes climb a flight of stairs or two and explore the views from the outdoor concourse of the top level offices outside the perimeter of the ballpark seating.  Son Bashbury and I had a good time skulking around for 15 minutes that way, last year.  I can't believe security doesn't keep tabs to some extent, but the freedom to move around is pretty extraordinary.  Shhh though, don't spread the word too much.

[Riverbrian]

7 hours ago, ashbury said:

I forgot to mention, and maybe I shouldn't, but on a day when the major league team is away, you can sometimes go inside the ballpark itself to visit the team shop, and if by chance you get confused and turn the wrong direction when leaving the shop you can sometimes climb a flight of stairs or two and explore the views from the outdoor concourse of the top level offices outside the perimeter of the ballpark seating.  Son Bashbury and I had a good time skulking around for 15 minutes that way, last year.  I can't believe security doesn't keep tabs to some extent, but the freedom to move around is pretty extraordinary.  Shhh though, don't spread the word too much.

I don't think you have to confuse yourself. I was talking with the staff members in the blue shirts who handle security, stadium usher combo roles. I'd say "Hey what's back there" and they would reply "wanna go check it out". I just had to walk through a scanner and I checked it out. 

The Twins actually import the blue shirt staff from Minnesota and they bring the Minnesota nice with them. The blue shirt staff are part of the positive experience. I talked with a guy who comes down every spring training just to do this job and then goes back when it's done. If you have questions, they have answers. 

LIke you said... the key is away game days, Don't stay in the hotel on away games. Not every player travels to Bradenton or wherever for the game. Those that stay behind are working out right in front of you. 

On home game days... things are a little tighter but the access is still wonderful. 

Personal observance from my couple of days. Matt Wallner spends a lot of time in the cage. I saw quite a few players hit in the cage. Matt Wallner was in the cage 3 times as much as anybody else. 

And more personal note. On Tuesday I had seats behind the plate for the game. Matt Wallner cleared the batters eye in CF against AJ Minter who is a top shelf LEFT HANDED relief pitcher. The scoreboard said 451 feet. No way... it cleared the batters eye. 480 feet at least against a left hander. Yeah I know... small sample size. 

[Riverbrian]

7 hours ago, ashbury said:

I forgot to mention, and maybe I shouldn't, but on a day when the major league team is away, you can sometimes go inside the ballpark itself to visit the team shop, and if by chance you get confused and turn the wrong direction when leaving the shop you can sometimes climb a flight of stairs or two and explore the views from the outdoor concourse of the top level offices outside the perimeter of the ballpark seating.  Son Bashbury and I had a good time skulking around for 15 minutes that way, last year.  I can't believe security doesn't keep tabs to some extent, but the freedom to move around is pretty extraordinary.  Shhh though, don't spread the word too much.

BTW... I'm currently in Miami Beach. I'll be at the Marlins Home Opener this afternoon. I'm heading to the beach this morning for the sunrise and some time in the ocean after that Little Havana. 

Tuesday night I walked around south beach had Ceviche and a 30 buck Mojito. I didn't know it was 30 bucks when I ordered it. Yesterday, I spent in Key West. The traffic was slow all the way there and back. You don't have to worry about speeding to get there... it's pretty much impossible at 15 MPH in 45 and 55 mph zones. 

Tomorrow I'm off to Tampa. 

[wabene]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

that Little Havana

Yummy

[ashbury]

4 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I don't think you have to confuse yourself. I was talking with the staff members in the blue shirts who handle security, stadium usher combo roles. I'd say "Hey what's back there" and they would reply "wanna go check it out". I just had to walk through a scanner and I checked it out.

I guess it was the sign that said "No Admittance Past This Point" that threw us off.

[Squirrel]

7 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Personal observance from my couple of days. Matt Wallner spends a lot of time in the cage. I saw quite a few players hit in the cage. Matt Wallner was in the cage 3 times as much as anybody else. 

Did you notice what the machine was set up for so what he was working on? When my bro and I were watching him it was sliders away

[Squirrel]

7 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

BTW... I'm currently in Miami Beach. I'll be at the Marlins Home Opener this afternoon. I'm heading to the beach this morning for the sunrise and some time in the ocean after that Little Havana. 

Tuesday night I walked around south beach had Ceviche and a 30 buck Mojito. I didn't know it was 30 bucks when I ordered it. Yesterday, I spent in Key West. The traffic was slow all the way there and back. You don't have to worry about speeding to get there... it's pretty much impossible at 15 MPH in 45 and 55 mph zones. 

Tomorrow I'm off to Tampa. 

Curious how long it took you to get down and back? Within the time you said?

[Riverbrian]

4 hours ago, ashbury said:

I guess it was the sign that said "No Admittance Past This Point" that threw us off.

Saw those… I think they are merely art. 

[Riverbrian]

48 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Did you notice what the machine was set up for so what he was working on? When my bro and I were watching him it was sliders away

I heard him tell the guy to crank it to 95

[Riverbrian]

47 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Curious how long it took you to get down and back? Within the time you said?

Probably lost an hour there and a half hour back. The way there was painful. I figured out what the problem was. Left turns. Any car taking a left has to stop and wait and therefore everybody else has to wait and bottleneck. Single road 15 MPH. Left at 7AM got some breakfast arrived in Key West around 12:30. Walked Duval Street from South to North and back. Got back to my hotel around 8:30p

[ashbury]

3 hours ago, Squirrel said:

Did you notice what the machine was set up for so what he was working on? When my bro and I were watching him it was sliders away

 

2 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I heard him tell the guy to crank it to 95

95 MPH sliders away give everyone trouble.