There have been 3 cardinals released so far ,two for arrest and one for testing positive. One ML and two milb.

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Just arrived in Clearwater, in time to see the young LT. go 2 for 3, with 2 RBI's. He's hitting .480 in ST with 5 doubles and a HR.

Weather is gorgeous, fans everywhere within the complex, especially fun being the young boys (10-15) who research the young Minor Leaguers, hunting everything from an autograph, to a broken bat, all with that sparkle in their eye.

cadDAD

Go Navy! Go Phillies!

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AcademyDad
Congratulations for great Karl performance. I just came back from Dunedin where I was for the weekend, watching Marcos play. Last saturday I was at Phillies complex at Clearwater, and yesterday at the Bluejays complex. Unfortunally, I couldn't see Darin, Alan, Brian or your son because AAA and AA teams where traveling when the two A teams were at home and vice-versa, and surpriselly, Marcos still playing with the AAA team. I am specting some time this week he to be sended down to AA, although he is hitting well and playing a terrific defense. I still thinking it is very improbable a jump from low A to AAA skiping high A and AA ball.
By the way Brian is playing at Big leagues spring trainning and 2 days ago he hit 4 by 4 or so. I hear that he is a great defensive catcher. I wish good look to all websters kids this year.

Great thread everyone.

Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time and my best to all the players.

CP

After catching 6 innings at AAA on Saturday, with two walks and a swinging K, a lighter day yesterday back at High A.

Then, again today, on the way to the ballpark, the call comes through, bumped to AAA.

Caught 5, a broken bat ground out to 2B, and thrown out on a foul ball off the shin to the 3B.

Fasincating to see the variations in the levels from High A to AAA.

Yep, I pinch myself about every other inning.

And, proud as you watch your son step up as opportunity knocks...................

FO

Can you explain what what you ment by variations a different levels?

Thanks

Size, especially the pitchers.

Confidence.

Speed.

Pitching. Command, control, and talent.

Hitting. Power. Complete change to wood bat.

Little things about the game of baseball.

Respect for other players.

Maturity.

Experience. Serious.

AAA players have been encouraging to my son because they know what he is going through.

Just really fascinating for me to get to observe.............

quote:

Just really fascinating for me to get to observe.............

FO - you are really starting to do damage to your reputation around here. That last statement makes it sound like you are a CurrentObserver (CO)

Seriously, all the stories in this thread have been fun to read.

FO,
From where I sit, or once sat I guess , your posts are extremely informative and very "observant."

I guess by the time they are AAA they were weeded out and filled out.

My son made the same observations, he's pretty big but puny compared to the AAA and MLB pitchers.Like teh freshman standing next to the seniors.

Another observation, talent is there, experience is what seperates the levels.

Also in response to another post made, 5 sent down yesterday and the same were released.

quote:

Originally posted by FormerObserver:
Size, especially the pitchers.

Confidence.

Speed.

Pitching. Command, control, and talent.

Hitting. Power. Complete change to wood bat.

Little things about the game of baseball.

Respect for other players.

Maturity.

Experience. Serious.

AAA players have been encouraging to my son because they know what he is going through.

Just really fascinating for me to get to observe.............

Just wanted to add as I have watched Son as he has progressed through the minors.
Single A- Hitters are free swingers and strike zone can sometimes be little bit wider.
AA- Hitters are more patient and pitchers have to throw all their pitches for strikes. Hitters recognize that a pitcher can't find the zone with offspeed and will sit "dead red".
AAA- Just like the bigs most of these hitters can rake if pitcher makes a mistake. I have seen pitchers who have made good pitches with curves/sliders but the problem is they hung just a little to long. Hitters even though fooled can stay back and still hit it out.
I can also add that in the past week son has had a few friends from his organization released. He stated that this was tough as these players showed up in the morning waiting to take the practice field. Son also said that if you show up in the morning and have to see the minor lg player director that this isn't a good sign.

I hope that parents of young players are reading about pitchers having to throw all their pitches for strikes. learn early.

My sons friend was sent down the other day from ML. He made just about as much from meal money in a few weeks as he will this season. The money at the top level is amazing.

I am truly thankful to those posters like Fungo, infielddad, TPM, and, of course, many others, for posting their vast experiences and tempered observations for us.

Even though this is a highschool baseball web site, the earliest posts in this thread helped me adapt to a quickly moving environmnet.

Without knowing ahead of time that players are assigned to a level or two higher and then moved back, or to any level, at will, could have could have been disheartening had I not known what to expect.

To get to peek ahead into the future, just a bit, to see how you do against the competition is important information.

"Playing up" is a good way clean off the rose colored glasses................

Is there reason to continue to encourage your son?

Is there reason to prepare him for a pending let down?

What does he want?

How much time does he want to invest?

Tough questions for 14 year olds.

Tough questions for 22 year olds.

Tough questions for 50 year olds.

And, a younger brothers observation, "Dad, he's gonna get to play........."

So, get a good lead, and go for it.

Thanks FO but I am learning as I go along too.

What is also interesting is that life for pitchers and position players is so different and SP's get a few innings here or there to practice due to expected workload along with short pens. That may also mean long days on the bench watching games, lots of long toss and more time conditioning the arm and lucky bucket duty.

Another few more weeks and pro baseball begins!

I want to thank y'all for posting. Right now I'm not showing most of this to son, as keeping up with shcool and ball are just about enough. We practice until 6, and did tell son (HS Freshman) to get used to the long day. (Show him posts on weekends)

Good luck to everyone's son!!!

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I get up with ofcrKID every morning at 5AM. Reveille seems to suit him better than DAD. I drive him to the ballpark to be there for extra stretching by 6:30. They are on the field after short clubhouse breakfast, by 8 AM. They work on everything (short drills, INF, bunt coverage, BP, etc) until noon and then they play at 1PM. Everyday for the past two weeks, Karl has stayed until long after the lights go out and virtually everyone has gone home, to take extra instruction in the cages. His swing is really showing improvement everyday. Surprising how few kids do this, considering what is really at stake.

The kids refer to this as Ground Hog's Day, referring to the movie of the same name where Bill Murray gets up everyday to the eact same routine.

And it is work. They gave Karl a day off (just a break from the actual game) y'day as the coaches actually felt after his AF duties, that he was potentially "breaking down". He's hitting .440 right now and they are pleased with his power. Karl is pleased with little things... like a tenth of a second off his time to first base just because a coach pointed out that his head was down on his first step. Some unbelievably good coaching at this level... but as always, only if you are willing to learn. The Big league guys seem to be very pleased with his leadership skills... thanks Academy staff.

Interesting days watching kids work hard, play as though it's a profession, rather than a game after school (not so much horsing around, etc), and of course the ups and downs of the team postings for the next day/week (indicating finally where you will spend the summer), the releases of friends/team mates, etc.

Very emotional for everyone connected... especially when you look around and see "regular" fans just enjoying what they think is nothing but fun for kids that "have made it".

cadDAD

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My son called he sounds pretty tired. he has been in camp since 2/26 with no day off and he is tired. Camp breaks in 10 days.

He had two awesome experiences today, one, Wainwright spoke to the young guys today about faith in god and yourself and good things will happen. Baseball is about testing your faith and belief in yourself and always stay positive. He just signed a 15 million dollar 4 year contract.

The other, TLR addressed son as "Kopper" same as everyone else does.

wow...I'm really enjoying this thread

My son called today - and despite all the goings on - the hardest part - from what I can gather from the conversation - is watching your friends/teamates get released and looking at the empty locker when you come back from a days work.