Nice surprise, our player got an afternoon off and showed up at the door!

First time we have had a chance to sit down and talk over dinner about spring training. I won't go into all details but he is very glad he worked to the point of exhaustion during off season, spring training daily grind has been a lot easier for him than some others who showed up. Some of the guys think that st is time to condition, but like everything else, time to condition is way before you show up. You are trying out for a position just like you were in HS and college. In st some are competing not to get released, the younger guys are competing to move into the next level and not remain in the same one. The whole idea is the same at each level, HS, college, pro. Do this when you are young if you wish to pursue at the pro level, you must come prepared and a good habit to get into early.

I am just becoming familiar with his organization, don't know much about other organizations, but they will place a strength trainer with every level this summer. This will help prevent injuries, hopefully through better everyday conditioning. Great idea, IMO. The one in charge of minor league development has sure turned things around. He really feels that they really care about him and will do all they can to help him succeed, not just him but everyone.

He had a great chat with TLR who offered some great advice to him as a young pitcher. He will carry that personal advice with him as he progresses. I don't know much about TLR, but they say he is always watching or getting reports on all of the young players.

They made a few adjustments for him and they seem to be working. I think that watching the more experienced pitchers has been extrememly helpful in understanding what it's all about...experience. He does feel that his college baseball experience prepared him well.
Mine doesn't know most of the players who were released as they were older or he never crossed paths with them. Most were those with chronic injuries who never got in time, or were at an age (25-27) where they would not advance. It is hard and words spreads quickly through camp.
He is looking forward to the season to finally begin.

I think the strength trainer at every level is pretty standard. Players have to lift several days per week during the season....even when they travel.

He didn't have one at Batavia, he did his routine from what he knew at college. Maybe if there was one, he would have known how to adjust his workouts with a bum ankle. So maybe this was not standard in his organization.

.

Tomorrow (Sunday) is "cut day". Everyone walking around the Complex on pins & needles. This will mean for some, the first time they have ever been cut from a baseball team.

Word from the bloggers say that at the Phillies Camp, they will need to let between 35 and 40 go.

Dreams... hard work... a lot of luck...the funnel gets smaller.

cadDAD

.

Cut Day tomorrow for the Pads as well. Word was it was going to be Saturday...now Sunday (Happy Easter) as Sunday is the day meal money is handed out .

So Boy was in the lunch room early with some guys today, left his drink at his place and went to get a tray. When he comes back, a guy in sand-blasted pants (as worn at the Major League camp) is sitting in his chair. Guy says "my bad"; Aeden says "No, man, you're wearing sand-blasted pants, you can sit wherever you want!" "How many Spring Trainings you been to?" "This is my first." "Good. You learn fast. At my third, I said something to Trevor Hoffman when he cut me in the lunch line; he looks down at me and says 'you blanking say something to me, meat?' That's when I learned."

He's been catching some bullpens for the ML guys who have been very forthcoming with how to call a game, based on the pitcher's strengths merging with the hitters' propensities. Magic.

And.....anybody else heard about locker room football???

I sent him a Care Package the other day, including a twenty and told him to take Dirk out for a couple of beers from his fans at the hsbbweb. Dirk loved it!

.

It's 5AM and reveille is in 30 minutes (at least in our household). Took about 6 of the guys to dinner last night and verboten was any discussion about "how it happens tom'row morning. I've heard several say they don't want to "walk the driveway of death"... where the coaches meet you before you even get to the clubhouse. Many will be headed home today. Somehow they never teach you this stuff along the way...

Those that didn't spend enough time in the classroom seem to be the most worried. "Didn't finish college, still owe loans, what will I do next?" Several at dinner last night "on the bubble" but all seem to worry about the inevitable.

More later...

cadDAD

.

...the music still plays, and, there ain't many chairs left.

well, dang

I'm on pins and needles too.

waiting anxiously.....

.

ofcrKID made the cut. Right now headed to Lakewood, NJ when Camp breaks in a week. Still one more week of ST and more cuts coming, but looks good at this point. The AF has at this point said he can play. Very complicated as he could end up in Iraq late this year. Currently hitting .380 in ST, so hitting's not a problem.

Thanks everyone for your prayers and wishes...

cadDAD

.

good news about baseball!!!

Congrats!

Our son didn't indicate if this was a significant 'cut day' or not so I haven't a clue. Am sure there will be quite a few before the week is out. Hoping FB.Son gets good news in the way of no news. He had a chance to pitch against the big leaguers yesterday ... 1.1 innings, 1 hit, 1 BB, 1 K and a ST ERA (with the big guys) of 0.00 ... hope that helps keep him safe from the butcher block.

Every once in awhile - I post something like this. I know it sounds arrogant - or bad or whatever - but I dont care.

D gets told - after playing middle infield his entire life - welcome to Centerfield.

So - he gets his first chance as a professional CF with a player trying to score from second on a laser beam hit to CF.

And he guns him out at the plate. Laser beam came in faster than it went out. LOL

I dont think I ever met a kid - and I know I am being terribly biased here - who just doesnt give a **** where you put him - or what you make him do. Ever.

He justs say yes - and then he does it.

At some point this is going to end - I know that.

But - the last couple years - whether its a big thing - or a small thing like this play - it makes me very proud of this hard core, ornery and very competitive "S-O-B"

Go D - Go!

We all need good news its! sounds like a great play!

That's awesome, its!

Thanks 55mom,

And it really isnt so much about a single good play.
Lots of players make those plays every single day.

It is more about attitude - and a burning desire - and the continued disdain - a sustainable and obvious anger - for all those that tried to hurt him.

It burns in him - and in us - every single day.
It burns bright and hot.
That fire never dissipated - in fact - it increased - and it continues to increase.

And it is fun to let it play out - and - believe me or not - we all enjoy it more every single day.

We are proud of it - and the way he has dealt with it as well.

And we remain disgusted by those that tried to stop him.

They are all gone now - they have run away like rats deserting a ship - but in our minds - they are still with us all every single day.

I guess everyone is motivated by something different.

His motivation is clear - when you see him play - when you see him run out to his position. You cant miss it if you really know the game.

His utter disdain for those that tried to hurt him. His unwillingness to compromise - or "make up".

And he has trampled over them - and I want him to back up - and run each one of them over again. And again.

And then one more time. For me and mom.

That is the fire I am talking about.

And that is what I am most proud of.

Its
That is great news. In the middle of positions change. Good performance and better actitude.
Congrats to Darin

and that is why they make those plays. There is a certain intensity - a desire to prove people right - and sometimes to prove others wrong. Prove it to yourself, thank your parents for all the support. Some times it seems like it is all wrapped up in a single play.

Son really wants to continue to play as long as he can. There are so many naysayers, but can't he dream? Maybe if we let our athletes dream big, we wouldn't be going off shore for young guys? I don't know?

I love hearing these stories. Your son sounds terrific. No problem posting.

quote:

Originally posted by 55mom:
I love hearing these stories. Your son sounds terrific. No problem posting.

its, I missed the arrogance. Keep reporting on D.

quote:

Laser beam came in faster than it went out. LOL

...now if I could only overcome my apprehension about bragging posting stuff about infidel_son.

Well done D.

Making those adjustments is what it is all about.

There were no cuts in camp yesterday, I think most have been made.

Due to weather, all levels on two teams played together (mixed levels) to get in their work, 12 innings each game. It was amazing how smoothly things were run by both sides.

Infidel,

If you don't start bragging about your son, I will do it for you.