Spring Training

The regular Major League Baseball season just got underway, so I guess I should share these Spring Training pics before they get too dated! Living in Sarasota, I'm within close proximity to many Spring Training facilities. And, it's always fun to spend a spring day at the ballpark. This year, I made it to two games just up the road in Bradenton, which is the spring home for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In this photo, the Pirates were playing the Orioles and the Pirates baserunner slid safely under a tag at first base.  SAFE!

I don't think this Orioles player made the cut to join the Big Leagues. I looked up #17 on the current Orioles roster, but couldn't find him. Some fans sitting in front of me along the right field line temporarily moved out of the way, so I was able to get this shot showing the player hustling to first base.

Following the games, some of the players will pause to talk with fans and sign autographs. This young man made quite an impression on me the way he spent so much time interacting with fans and genuinely engaging with them.  His name is Austin Meadows and he's a top prospect for the Pirates. I understand he's starting the season playing AAA ball in Bradenton, since he's so young and the Pirates don't have an open slot for him yet. Seems like he has a winning attitude and hopefully he'll have a long, successful career. 

Home run swing! And, this was taken during the first game I attended this year: Twins vs Pirates. That's Twins outfielder Travis Harrison taking it deep. I noticed this year the games weren't sold out -- not even on St. Patrick's Day, which traditionally is a very popular day to go to the park. Not sure why, except maybe the tickets are getting a bit too expensive for some families. Hope everyone has a terrific Saturday!

Ever Feel Like...

...someone's watching you?  I took this shot at McKechnie Field during the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training game I attended last weekend.  I was so focused trying to get this shot, I never even noticed what the owl on the billboard was advertising.  Btw, this post is for you, Birdman.  

More Spring Fun - Florida Style

Yesterday's spring training weekend tour included a trip a few minutes north to Bradenton to see the Pittsburgh Pirates play the Philadephia Phillies at McKenchie Field.  It was a lopsided game, with the Pirates blown out 11-4.  In between innings, there were festivities on the field including the Pirates mascot, Parrot, wearing boxing gloves and shorts and duking it out with a young fan.  Hilarity ensued when the little boy pulled down Parrot's shorts.  I love that the Pirates' catcher is oblivious to what's going on.

McKenchie Field is rather small and media photographers are allowed to stand behind home plate in the walkway.  So, I sidled up next to a photog and acted like I was supposed to be there.  Imagine my surprise when a stadium attendant approached me, and rather than telling me to leave, he suggested that I walk down five rows all the way to the front and crouch down to take some shots.  Wow!  I didn't want to overstay my welcome, but I captured this shot of Brandon Moss at the plate.   A big thanks to that friendly attendant.

After the game, we noticed a little boy running on the field with a baseball heading into right field.   A short time later, two police officers were trying to get his attention to stop.  Naturally, the little boy thought it was a fun game and started running around the entire warning track....with one of the officers in pursuit.  It was pure entertainment!  By the end, it appeared the little one was the son of a Phillies player.  The player and the officer shook hands and that was the end of that fun, unexpected chase scene.