Full Squad
Saturday, February 27, 2016 – JetBlue Park, Ft. Myers
Spring Training Workout and Open House
My third day in Ft. Myers brought me back to JetBlue Park for another full squad workout. Big Papi was back in action after being given a day off to work in the batting cages, and Rusney Castillo was on the field after being out several days with the flu. We had fun watching some different drills (although one gave us a scare) and picking up autographs. After the workout, we attended JetBlue Park’s free open house. My favorite pictures from the day are below.
One of the drills we watched was the pitchers practicing catching popups. They were doing so with varied success, and the players and fans alike were all getting into it, oohing and ahhing over nice catches and groaning and needling each other over the misses. The video below shows some of the fun as Brandon Workman, Henry Owens, Joe Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, Robbie Ross, Noe Ramirez, David Price, and Heath Hembree attempt plays that, during the season, may best be left to the infielders.
Everyone was enjoying the drill until Eduardo Rodriguez caught his cleat while backpedaling and dropped to the ground. The whole season flashed in front of my eyes as the promising lefty who’s slotted in as the number three starter lay on the ground and the coach signaled for a trainer. After a few minutes, Ed-Ro got up (to applause from the fans) and walked off the field and into the clubhouse. We heard on the way home that he was doing much better and nothing was broken or torn. I sure hope that’s the case, as his ability to build on his success from last year is a big key to how far this year’s team can go.
After the workout ended, we went into the stadium for the free open house. We got a chance to go into the dugout, up on the green Monster, and onto the outfield grass.
on February 28, 2016 at 7:51 am
·