Just what goes on in Spring Training

I think the casual baseball fan assumes that the players and coaches gather every spring and break out the bats and balls and just start practicing.  But who organizes the daily workouts?  Not the Manager, he simply doesn’t have time to deal with that.  Typically, one of the more veteran coaches will coordinate the daily schedule.  Of course, the Manager has a ton of say but usually they let the coordinator handle the daily schedule.

When the players and coaches arrive at camp, they check in with the equipment staff and get set up with all the gear they will need.  Lots of undershirts, compression shorts, caps, helmets belts, socks, shoes etc.

Next the Traveling Secretary will meet with them and get them started on their meal and housing allowances.  They will also assist with any other needs like housing, rental cars etc.

The Athletic Training staff will check on each guy to see if they have any injuries of concern.  At the beginning of camp, the physicians will be there to give everyone physical examination, blood work etc.  They will also get an oral cancer screening and see the eye doctors.

The club’s media relations & social media staff will speak to each player.  The status of the player determines how many interviews need to be scheduled and the club’s regular beat writers are in the clubhouse constantly.  The manager must be available both before and after the workouts/games.

There will be a photo day for everyone for television use, scoreboard pictures, media use, yearbook etc.  Also, the baseball trading card companies are there for photos as well.

Sometimes they even film promotional commercials during the spring highlighting certain players.

Before the game schedule starts the workouts are usually around 9:30 or so.  The clubhouse will be cleared, and the day’s schedule will be discussed, and any other announcements will be made.

However, coaches will bring guys in for early hitting and fielding work.  This usually begins around 8.

Everyone is usually done before noon and sometimes the pitchers are done even earlier.  Then they head out to be with their families or partake in lots of golfing or fishing.

Once the game schedule commences then everyone must stay a minimum number of innings depending on the manager.  However, unlike in the regular season it’s not unusual for guys to actually leave the ballpark once they come out of a game.

Following the game, often some  guys will want to have extra batting practice or workout in the weight room.

Since they are at the ballpark for several hours a day, they get fed breakfast and lunch.  In the old days, breakfast was a box of donuts next to the coffee machine.  Lunch was soup and maybe half a sandwich if you were lucky.

Nowadays, clubs have dieticians and chefs to prepare elaborate meals right in the clubhouse.

Often in the early mornings there will be guest presentations for the team right in the clubhouse.  Some of them are the Players Association, Baseball Assistance Team, MLB Alumni, FBI.

Also, many equipment vendors will come to camp to give out gloves, shoes, etc.

One day the uniform manufacturers will come to each camp and do a custom fitting session with each player and coach.  That way when they put on their new uniforms on opening day everything will fit perfectly.

Also, the teams community relations staff will spend several days asking the guys to autograph many items for use by the ball club throughout the year.

I hope you have enjoyed a little sampling of what really goes on.

And you thought they just played baseball there!!