Article: Minnesota Twins Fantasy Camp - Jan 2014

[bennep]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php/2600-Minnesota-Twins-Fantasy-Camp-Jan-2014

[Twins Fan From Afar]

Great article! This is on my bucket list (well, list of things to do before I can no longer run -- but hats off to the 81 year old gentleman who is in much better shape than I am).

I've always wondered how the interactions -- for lack of a better word -- are between the players and the Twins alums? In other words, were they all pretty cool, or were there some in it for the free room and whatever $ is in it for them? Not asking you to name names, by the way.

[Halsey Hall]

Good article. But the championship games weren't at Hammond. I really wanted to watch, but was informed they were at City of Palms, and no one could get in. Also couldn't get in to watch during the week. I usually watch this camp and get a kick out of it, as others do also, so to bad we were shut out.

[bennep]

This year was different because of the Hammond Stadium renovations -- the camp was at Player Development Complex (old Red Sox complex) and big stadium games were at City of Palms -- these changes were made mid week

[bennep]

The Alums range from good to great -- they are all good at interacting with the campers - time spent in the clubhouse/lunches/dinners are very quality. Many of them make themselves very approachable and willing to answer many different types of questions -- the cool part is many of them share the same interests as many of us -- talking with them about their fantasy football teams, etc. This group of "legends" are very unique!

[glunn]

Great article. Thanks for posting this.

 

It looks like there is a blue division and a red one. Is one division for the better players?

 

What is the range of skill/health levels?

[Marta Shearing]

Would be a dream of an experience. To talk to Viola about game 7, 1987. To ask Hatcher about his world series HR in 1988. Maybe someday it'll happen for me!

[orangevening]

Viola is now AAA pitching coach for the Mets correct?

[bennep]

Great article. Thanks for posting this.

 

It looks like there is a blue division and a red one. Is one division for the better players?

 

What is the range of skill/health levels?

 

The camp takes the top 4 seeds and they do a 2 game playoff (Blue division) and then the next four seeds get to play in a 2 game playoff (Red division) -- seeds are determined by pool play during the week.

Youngest campers are around 25 -- oldest camper is 81 and average is upper 50's -- the skill level is all over the place, some very good ballplayers and many of the participants just LOVE baseball -- all skill levels have a great time!

[bennep]

Viola is now AAA pitching coach for the Mets correct?

 

I believe he is still the A pitching coach for the Savannah Sand Gnats (last year that was his job) -- but yes, he is a coach in the Mets organization -- didn't get to ask him if he moved up to AAA but that is surely possible.

[bennep]

Viola is now AAA pitching coach for the Mets correct?

 

Confirmed from another camper -- Viola is going to Las Vegas to coach the AAA team there!

[Paul Pleiss]

This sounds like a dream vacation. Pure awesomeness.

[RichardJohnson]

Good article. Sounds like a great experience. What kind of physical shape do you need to be in to attend?

[RichardJohnson]

anybody here

[bennep]

Good article. Sounds like a great experience. What kind of physical shape do you need to be in to attend?

 

While it is a good idea to be in decent shape because from Mon-Thursday you play 14 innings per day -- each individual is different, the camp has some very "in shape" and young players -- and also the older guys who would be in shape for each given age -- skill and levels and ages are all across the board. I would say the average age of the camper is 55 and getting through the week without any strained muscles can be a challenge!! We do tell each other -- you have 51 weeks to rest up and heal until next year's camp!