Spring Training Workouts

While vacationing in Florida, I've had an opportunity to visit a few of the Spring Training camps (Phillies, Yankees and Blue Jays). As always, the early workouts focus on the fundamentals. Here are a few photographs that I was able to capture of the events. Click on photos to enlarge:

1- A coach works with a young shortstop on proper footwork
2- Many more fans attended the Tampa Rays' Fan Fest at Tropicana Field this year (after the Rays' American League championship last season) as compared to last year.
3- A first baseman finds the corner of the bag with both the heals of both feet.

4- A Yankees' shortstop begins to move his pivot (right) foot into a position to square his body for an accurate throw to first base.

5- Blue Jays' pitchers practice fielding ground balls and making the underhand toss to first base.

6- Pitchers practice fielding balls from the mound and making a good throw to first base.

7- Blue Jays' pitchers practice footwork off the mound and making a good underhand toss to the first baseman.

8- Batting practice pitchers throw from a distance of about 40 feet. They show the batter the ball and toss strikes 95% of the time. The idea is for hitters to work on hitting fundamentals...not to challenge hitters by trying to get them out!

9- Pitchers and catchers do a lot of running.