The Phillies buses pulled out at 9:15 AM for the short hop to Tampa and their game against the Yankees.  As I drove past the buses, I waved.  The bus drivers waved back.  I also passed Group Four as they made their way over to DiMaggio Field for the work out’s 9:30 start.  Upon arrival, I learned that in addition to the game against Villanova, there would be two scrimmages at the Complex.  Woohoo! Continue reading Spring Training at the Complex, Mar. 8, 2018 →

The Phillies were playing again today, so I arrived at the Complex early, around 8:30.  I spotted coaches Berrios and Bergesen and two other coaches working with four pitchers individually.  They were on the mounds between Schmidt and Ashburn Fields.  It looked like they were working on mechanics.  Coach Berrios is a proponent of using one’s hips. He was working with Adonis Medina, the only player I recognized.  Their gray T’s displayed “Take Nothing for Granted” in place of their names. Continue reading Spring Training at the Complex, Mar. 7, 2018 →

The Phillies had an off day today.  So, the minor leaguers were on all four fields at the Complex.  That doesn’t mean that nobody went to DiMaggio Field.  Group Four was split into two groups – the Williamsport staff remained behind on Schmidt Field, and the GCL staff hiked over to DiMaggio.  Position players divided accordingly, all the group’s pitchers remained at the Complex.  

Continue reading Spring Training at the Complex, Mar. 6, 2018 →

I heard the players were reporting early on Monday for photo day.  I met a couple of Topps photographers on Sunday.  I guess they were taking photos for collectible cards.  Which begs the question, “Which affiliate’s uniform do the players wear?”.  I can’t even get the groups list.  How do they determine which uniform a player should wear?  One of those questions that make me go “Hmm”.

Today was a repeat of yesterday.  Schmidt and Ashburn Fields were reserved for the major league camp.  Groups 3 and 4 hiked over to DiMaggio Field for their morning work out. Groups 1 and 2 began their day on Roberts and Carlton Fields,  

Continue reading Spring Training at the Complex, Mar. 5, 2018 →

Sunday marked the beginning of the Phillies minor league spring training camp.  Schmidt and Ashburn Fields were reserved for the major league camp, so Groups 3 and 4 hiked over to DiMaggio Field for their morning work out.  Groups 1 and 2 took up residency on Roberts and Carlton Fields,  

Today is the beginning of my favorite time during spring.  Tons of activity and lots of players at the Complex.  And sparse crowds.  Especially when the Phillies are playing next door.   Continue reading Spring Training at the Complex, Mar. 4, 2018 →

With the Phillies playing a night game, the early reporting  minor league players got to take to the fields before noon.  There are a lot here.  New faces include Darick Hall, Quincy Nieporte, Danny Meyer, Nick Maton, Gunnar Buhner, Ben Pelletier, Yahir Gurrola, Connor Seabold, David Parkinson, Kyle Martin, and Josh Stephen among others.  

Continue reading Some Pre-Spring Training Videos, Feb. 26, 2018 →

Spring training shifted from the Complex to Spectrum Field when the Phillies took on perrenial Division II powerhouse, the University of Tampa Thursday afternoon.

The Phillies used nine pitchers and added 4 minor leaguers to the roster for the game – Zach Green, Cack Coppola, Garret Cleavinger, and Tyler Viza.  Two saw action.
Continue reading Let the (Spring) Games Begin, 2018 →