Spring Training in Florida

[mberger718]

Went to Tampa Bay Rays at Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, Florida for a game today. Figured the Rays weren't bringing any of their starters, but they did bring David Price, Wil Myers, Matt Joyce, Jake McGee, and Ryan Hanigan, most of the others were backups and minor leaguers.

Got a few Rays outside the player parking lot before the game, got some good Pirates in the left field corner when they came onto the field from the clubhouse before the game, and got Wil Myers in the parking lot after the game.
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[mberger718]

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Here are the baseball photos, Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon (#1 prospect in Pirates system), Wil Myers. Good day overall.
We were very lucky getting Myers, he was in the player's parking lot getting ready to leave, there were 5 of us waiting. He didn't come over but then either close friends or relatives of his walked up to the fence by us and he walked up to them. When he finished talking to them he signed for us. I don't think he would have come over if it weren't for his friends. David Price signed inside after he pitched but it was at the same time I got Myers so I didn't get him.

[cyberer]

That was a good day. Myers's sig remains terrible, pretty much just a squiggly line, but still a great one to have. I heard Bradenton changed a bit for the worst the past few years, glad to see you can still do well.

BTW I am down here as well in the Clearwater area, I've been over at Lakeland mostly this spring though trying for Miggy.

[mberger718]

I tried Clearwater a couple of times with no luck. Utley signed right by me but I didn't get him. Best place in Clearwater is by the fence around the players parking lot. I got Burnett, Mayberry, Gwynn Jr. there, and a couple of other guys signed there as well. I'm going to Nationals at Tigers later in the spring but heard that the Tigers aren't that great. All of the stadiums used to be much easier when the fences were lower and fewer and you could move between the practice fields and get players during workouts instead of waiting until the end.

[mberger718]

I hadn't been to Bradenton in several years and it's harder but you can still get Pirates down the right field line and Rays down the left field line. They built an elevated wooden bar area in the left field corner so you can't follow the players all the way from the field to the clubhouse. Also, if you are a spring season ticket holder for the Orioles and Pirates (maybe others) you can get into the stadium 1/2 hour early. Myers signed for people there before the general public was let into the game 2 hours before first pitch.

[dawgbizkit83]

For those who are graphing on game day, do you know what time the players started to arrive at the stadium? I will be catching a few Braves games next week at Champion Stadium and thought I would try to catch them coming to the stadium

[cyberer]

Betw 5-7 am. On the field by 9 is the rule

[dawgbizkit83]

Thanks! Got tickets to see the Rays, Cardinals, and Yankees. Hope to pick up a Jeter auto, but not holding my breathe.

[cyberer]

Jeter signed 75 autographs in yankee camp the other day. He hasn't been traveling with the team, though.

He signed on a day that the team had a road game, but he wasn't in the lineup. So when the bus left, he stayed behind to practice that day. When he finished his practice at the yankee side fields, he had the security guard line up everyone there, and in an orderly fashion went 1 per down the line.

I would think that is your place to get him, and not in a game situation- in a place where he can control the environment. He got angry in scranton last year at the mob scene. I think he will sign this year on his farewell tour in any situation where he can control the mob scene.

[mberger718]

Man, did you get him? I tried going over to the Yankees yesterday since they were playing the Rays in Port Charlotte and I figured most of the main guys would stay behind, which was correct. I got to the fields around 11:45am and they were already done, saw one player running on a back field but couldn't tell who it was. Haven't been to the Yankees in a few years, even on travel days, since it's always a mob scene there. Want to try and get Jeter before he retires. I've gotten him a few times before but not in several years.

Probably will go back to Bradenton sometime this spring since the Pirates were pretty good down the right field side/corner.
Where have you had luck and how long are you in Florida for (or do you live here)?