Padres Spring Training Report – Feb. 26, 2015

More baseball, more press conferences, more visible changes in the new direction of this Padres baseball team all during day 2 of full squad workouts.

The day started earlier for the boys than usual with the annual Players Association meeting taking place at 7:50 am.  It’s the state of the union address given to the players by Executive Director Tony Clark.  It takes about an hour, and usually includes news and updates on the relevant topics on the table at the time, and forecasting of issues that may be on the horizon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The intensity of the meeting can vary and usually depends on the proximity of the next round of negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement. There are always topics on the table though, and I would suspect that along with the usual housekeeping of reviewing the unions expenses, licensing revenues, insurance and pension funding, staff changes, etc., the meatier topics probably included instant replay, the new speed up rules, and the change of leadership for ownership with Rob Manfred taking over for Bud Selig, plus a host of other issues immediate and down the road.

The highlight of the visit for most guys is the distribution of the annual licensing share check, which is mostly revenue generated on the sales of items with players images or likenesses (i.e. baseball cards, video games, t-shirts, etc.).  Shares are distributed on a prorated basis based on days of service. The amount of the check varies from year to year based on the revenues generated from licensed product sales, and also on how much the union holds back for their war chest as CBA negotiations approach.  Once a deal is consummated all funds are returned to the players. It’s a nice little perk that used to be a much larger one back in the early 90’s at the peak of the collectables industry which has dropped by as much as 75% by some estimates since then, but still a nice chunk of change for posing pretty for the camera.

Clark then addressed the media outside and answered questions about those same topics – instant replay (good that umpires are in better position to make correct call; not perfect in that it slows down the game), speed up rules (a good thing as long as it doesn’t disrupt how the game is played), Tobacco on the field (MLB has proactive program in place to help guys get off it), shortened season schedule (vague but certainly something that would have to be collectively bargained).

Then later on it was A.J. Preller’s turn to stand in front of the blue “SD-Southwest” tarp serving as the media backdrop on the wall outside the clubhouse.  Truth be told I didn’t get to hear much of A.J.s talk as I was busy watching players on the field.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what stood out to me today as the pitchers took the day off from throwing, putting all the focus on the position players?  Mark Kotsay’s hitting drills.  Kots has been saying all along that he was going to have the hitters do more swinging on the field in live situations, and he backed those words up with action today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He had a pitching machine set up on Field #2 to throw hard sliders, and had each group of hitters go through a series of situational hitting challenges.  Hit an runs, bunts, get runner over to 3rd from 2nd, drive the runner in from 2nd, drive him in from 3rd., swing away.  All of this was going on with runners on the bases to simulate game situations as much as possible with runners moving in the peripheral vision, being the mound, etc. It was interesting to watch as you could see the progress with some of the guys who frankly struggled with getting their job done in the early rounds, but the second time through it was usually much better.  There of course were a few guys who appeared to make solid contact from the first try including Maybin, Norris, Kemp, Alonso (who also hit several balls over the fence during these drills and during his regular Field #1 hitting as well), and others.  Overall it seemed like a very worthwhile exercise, and Kots and Dave Roberts did a great job as usual of keeping the banter and energy up throughout.

On the defensive side the outfielders got a lot of work in with Roberts and Jose Valentin on various first jump and angle drills. Dave prefers to teach the first move hop instead of the drop step on balls that OFers are going back on.  An outfielder’s first move often determines the quality of the route he is going to take.  Many are taught to the drop step as the way to make that first move, which is essentially just reaching back with the leg that is on the same side of the ball in an attempt to open up the hips and then run back.  The problem with that, as I understand Dave sees it, is that sometimes guys don’t reach far enough back with that first step so they don’t clear the hips enough and end up having to take more of a banana route to the ball especially if it is more over the head.

The hop that Dave teaches is literally a quick hop and twist of the lower body that allows the player to get the hips more open and both feet lined up in an athletic position and more accurate line to then pursue the ball full speed, exploding off the balls of the feet, and with reducing the chance of having to take a banana route to the ball because you fully cleared your hips with the first hop-twist. You could tell which players had done it before, and for which it was a first time trying it.  That’s one of the beauties of the game and interesting parts for players as they move from organization to organization, which is the different coaching styles and techniques that you run into which help to create a more polished ballplayer over time with many different influences.

Another good day’s work.  As Ron Fowler would say, “Continuous improvement.”  Tomorrow we may see the starting rotation pitchers throw again this time to live hitters.  Fun for the pitchers…not so much so for the batters.  Hang with ’em!!!   Ok, the pitcher in me comes out once in a while, I can’t help it!

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