Spring Training Game 1: Pirates @ Port Charlotte

Beautiful sunny day for the opener, flags at half-mast and the Rays wearing St Pete Police Department hats in memory of the slain officers. 

There was a moment of silence before the anthem.

The green hats..

were a nice touch.

Johnny headed out for some late BP

Sorry Pirates fans, but these unis just do not look good..

even on McCutcheon. He would look good in blue!

Chirinos looked good at the plate, behind it was a little shaky.

Archer gets a little extra step on his delivery...

Scott was a busy man in the bullpen!

No bad views in Port Charlotte!

The view from CF is a stretch on my camera.

But the view from the OF is still a nice one.

Chris Carter has a nice swing and had a big hit today.

Nice win for the Rays in their opener, 9-5.

**After the jump are pictures from my iphone, the net causes problems for my auto-focus camera, but the picture quality with the phone is obviously much less. (I will work on that)

Full Squad: Situational Game From Port Charlotte

The Rays final practice day was playing some situational innings , mostly bunting & pickoffs with some hitting away.  It only went a couple innings and they were done for the day.

I really enjoy watching games here...

This is new.

Local boys

Reid has been solid this week.

Several squeeze plays and sacrifice bunts: Chirinos here..

and Beckham. 

Umpires need practice too.

I believe the East dugout won the game.

Booby has spent a great deal of time this week with the new guys.

To me this is a good sign.

The "real" Spring Training games start tomorrow in Pt Charotte vs the Pirates!

Full Squad: Day 5 From Port Charlotte

This was an interesting conversation...

Hellickson did some stretching, but was still limited.

Obligatory skipping shot.

More stretching with the hurdles

Shuttle runs

All the stretching was closely monitored.

Zo demonstrating the Ukranian welcome.

Torres had the most swing & misses I have seen in live BP.

Niemann worked better from the windup than stretch..

 Wade's 2 seamer was diving according to Elliot.

DJ took Wade deep from the stretch, but was complaining of an arm-ache.

BJ was rocking the ball, no ill effects from the "ribbing" of yesterday. 

The rare Andrew Friedman autograph.

Pitchers worked on picoffs, runners on secondary leads.

Manny was as entertaining as ever today.

Damon was all business today

Longo got the biggest cheer for a bunt base hit at the end of a BP session.

Elliot crushed it from the right side, left side needs quieting.

Sean has added a little pre-pitch movement in his hands this year. 

Zim has been a fountain of energy this week, gerat to see!

And the fans were out again today!

Full Squad: Day 3 From Port Charlotte

Having a few technical problems with pictures, more later.

JoeMa

This guy could be the one to step up this year...

And this guy as well...

Evern Zo was taking balls at 1B today.

The "Group"

Joyce looked exceptional in the field today.

Mr. Consistency

SR turning the DP

Price pitching to Longo.

Swindle's arm angle does not work with the pitching screens.

Dirk Hayhurst

Andrew & Joyce were having quite an animated conversation.

Don't expect to see much of this...

But expect too much of this...

BJ getting his foot down much more quickly this year.

This is the opposite of "pulling off the ball"

Manny played hit and run today

but he carries his own bat bag, and eats popcorn himself.