The Official Spring Training Thread

[Captain Obvious]

Upbeat Fitch
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We had overcast skies by the time the Cubs hit the fields at Fitch Park this morning, but the temperature was pleasant with a high in the mid to upper 60s and no wind. Just about perfect conditions for baseball. One of the things I've noticed in the four days of practice under Mike Quade is the upbeat feel at Fitch. The players as well as the coaching staff seem genuinely happy to be here.

One of those happy players is Carlos Pena, who seems to be constantly smiling, I'm sure it's in his nature but he appears thrilled to be a Cub. Now if he can hit his weight, Cubs fans will be happy he is too. Pena is an outstanding defensive first baseman but the Cubs are looking for his backup at first. Today we got the chance to watch Tyler Colvin play extensive infield at first, nice to see Tyler looking smooth with the glove. I talked to him briefly after practice and he said he felt pretty comfortable there and is a work in progress at first.

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The Cubs have put some special dates on the spring calendar, which include a Ron Santo Tribute Day on March 10th when the Cubs host the Cleveland Indians at Hohokam. There's also a "Thank You to Mesa and Fans" on March 7th for helping the Cubs pass Proposition 420. This will allow the Cubs to stay in Mesa for the long term with a new spring training complex to be ready by 2014. The opening game on February 27th is also Little League Day when the Cubs will be bringing in somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 Little Leaguers to the game. I'll get you more on these festivities as I find out more info.

According the weatherman, we may have rain over the weekend here, so if you're unable to see the Cubs due to the conditions, be sure to drop by the new opening of Play Ball The Cactus League Experience at the Arizona Historical Society in Tempe. Even if it doesn't rain you can drop by the museum and see the exhibit after the Cubs morning practice. This is Play Ball's third season and opens a new location at Papago Park and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. By all accounts the Papago exhibit is by far the best yet with plenty of new items you won't see anywhere else in America. I've helped out a bit with this project and donated some items to the new exhibit, so I'm very excited to see it.

Here are some of my photos from today, also with some shots of the people who make the Chicago Cubs possible, the fans.

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Jeff Baker

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Ivan DeJesus instructs Colvin


Woody and lone star protege Cashner
Pena and his bat bat


Pena fielded all day with a ball in throwing hand


Silva takes toss



Fans and Colvin

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Reed Johnson and Bobby Dernier


Brett Jackson gives a young fan an autograph


Fernando Perez


Pena signs for youngster​

 

[Jntg4]

Pena has a sick bat. I want one of those.

Nice to see Wood teaching Cashner, if that's what he was doing.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Those bats are expensive BTW

 

[Jntg4]

Those bats are expensive BTW

Oh, I'm sure. I just would love to have one. :shrug:

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Oh, I'm sure. I just would love to have one. :shrug:

check here.. these are awesome bats for nice prices Ive got one

Viper Bat Co. - Custom Ash Wood Softball Blem Pro Youth Baseball Rock Maple Bats Wooden Baseball Bats

 

[Jntg4]

check here.. these are awesome bats for nice prices Ive got one

Viper Bat Co. - Custom Ash Wood Softball Blem Pro Youth Baseball Rock Maple Bats Wooden Baseball Bats

:clap:

They MLB size or smaller?

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

:clap:

They MLB size or smaller?

you can get pretty much whatever size you want.. kids to pro model

 

[Jntg4]

you can get pretty much whatever size you want.. kids to pro model

Good, I want MLB size.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Good, I want MLB size.

I got one with a thick handle.. its a badass bat.

 

[Jntg4]

Via Muskat

 

[Jntg4]

A-Ram's there now, not sure about StarCast.

 

[Jntg4]

From that site CO found.

Saturday was the first official full-squad workout for the Cubs, and with it came a winter storm to AZ. We had snow in the mountains and rain on both Saturday and Sunday here in Mesa. Luckily the team was able to complete most of the scheduled workouts on both days. Saturday turned nasty around 10AM with winds that turned into a dust storm before giving way to some heavy rain. Sunday it sprinkled lightly until about 11AM when the downpour came and shut down practice at Fitch Park.

The "three amigos" as Mike Quade called Soriano, Ramirez, and Castro were in attendance for the official start on Saturday. I took some photos both days before the weather turned.

Aramis Ramirez

Soriano taking aim

Kid Castro

Weather kept fans away

You will obey me - Marmol

The always animated Mike Quade

Billy Williams strikes up conversation with fellow Alabamian - Roll Tide

Dempster throwing live BP

Sean Marshall greets A-Ram

Blake DeWitt adding a little extra something to his bat

It's only a little rain, no big deal​

Spring Training Journal: Wet Weekend

 

[Northside_slugger]

Ryan Dempster named opening day starter. Big Z will pitch game 2.

 

[waldo7239117]

And Garza game 3. Quade said he wanted Garza to see Demp and Z pitch in front of Wrigley first.

 

[Jntg4]

Ryan Dempster named opening day starter. Big Z will pitch game 2.

WTF? LOL

I thought they were supposed be naming the spring training rotation today? Isn't this supposed be decided later?

LOL

Thet should at least see who is the best first in actual ST games.

OK, so we have:
Dempst
Z
Garza

I knew that Garza would just be a #3 starter, I called it.

 

[Captain Obvious]

That tree right there is a pretty awesome tree. I went to spring training/opening day in 2004 and on the field to the left, there was a pop up foul, so I ran over to go get it, but it went thru that tree and there was another kid there trying to get it. thankfully, I got it. then, later that half inning, i asked the guy who hit it, if he could sign it for me, but he said no, ask me after the game. I left. Whatta dick. Still, it's a pretty cool memory. I still have that ball too.

 

[Jntg4]

That tree right there is a pretty awesome tree. I went to spring training/opening day in 2004 and on the field to the left, there was a pop up foul, so I ran over to go get it, but it went thru that tree and there was another kid there trying to get it. thankfully, I got it. then, later that half inning, i asked the guy who hit it, if he could sign it for me, but he said no, ask me after the game. I left. Whatta dick. Still, it's a pretty cool memory. I still have that ball too.

They can't sign during the game... apparently they get fined. That's what someone who worked at the Cougars' field said when I tried to get a Michael Brenly autograph. That's how it is in the minors anyway.

Or was this in BP?

 

[Jntg4]

Z and Garz are both pitching in Sunday's game!

Wellemeyer has a chance to win a starting job, but won't get it.

 

[Captain Obvious]

They can't sign during the game... apparently they get fined. That's what someone who worked at the Cougars' field said when I tried to get a Michael Brenly autograph. That's how it is in the minors anyway.

Or was this in BP?

It was in a B game. Still, he's a dick. I was like 9.

 

[Jntg4]

It was in a B game. Still, he's a dick. I was like 9.

Oh, I wish they had B and intra-squad game scores online...