Rookie

BRADENTON – I had five hours of baseball bliss this past Wednesday with the Pittsburgh Pirates. As I arrived at Pirates City, the southern home of the National League club, I didn’t know what to expect. This was my first time, and first day covering spring training.

As I exited my car and made my way across the street to the lobby to check in for the opening day of camp, I was reminded of years back, when I would anxiously look forward to the first day of school.

That exciting feeling of putting on a new pair of shoes or sneakers, and finally slipping into the new clothes my mom bought for me, that I laid out the night before. Everything was fresh. Now, the time has finally arrived to get going.

My getting to go came early. As I walked through the overflow of cars in the parking lot at 7:30 a.m. and wondered how I would get through security at the massive black gate that was getting closer, I came across another scribe heading in the direction I was.

I instantly introduced myself and extended a handshake to Rob Biertempfel, who covers the Pirates for The Athletic. Any anxiety I may have been experiencing was instantly relieved, as Biertempfel offered to guide me to where I needed to collect my credential.

We cruised through security, then arrived at the main lobby of Pirate City. A badge promised by the Pirates’ communication staff was waiting for me. Now, I needed to find the media workroom. Thank goodness Biertempfel continued to be my guide. There are many twists in the hall system of Pirate City.

Once arriving in room 166, I was joined by a half dozen reporters already with their laptops plugged in and preparing for the planned 8:15 a.m. press conference with 2019 all-star outfielder Bryan Reynolds.

I sensed instant comradery amongst the writers. Jason Mackey of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette seemed to have the respect and attention of the room. This was a group I was just happy to be a "fly on the wall“ with. I was in the presence of true professionals.

A member of the Pirates’ communication staff pops into our room to remind all that the clubhouse will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 9:20 a.m.

As a group, including me trailing from behind with my mouth quiet and ears wide open, we make our way to the clubhouse.

Pitchers and catchers begin filtering into their rooms, on this first official day of reporting to camp. As time goes on, there are several position players who will join the day’s workout. As we (writers) wait for Reynolds to discuss his off-season request for a trade from Pittsburgh, clubhouse attendants continue to supply individual player lockers with all kinds of gear.

Fists full of new cleats, fresh pairs of Pirate socks, belts, t-shirts, and duffle bags are continuously distributed. As I look around room 245 A of the clubhouse, I see two of the first pitching arrivals, Jarlin Garcia and Roansy Contreras, sitting next to each other deep in conversation.

In the relaxing, cool temperature of room 245 A, I can see Miguel Andujar’s locker. Just one locker over to the left is where Oneil Cruz will call home for the next week, until the major league players shift their training camp to LECOM Park on February 25.

As I look to my right, at room 231 B of the adjoining clubhouse sections, the first locker I see belongs to the newly acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays Ji-Man Choi. I didn’t see him during the five hours that I spent in camp. Four lockers down from Choi to the right is where Andrew McCutchen will call home for his time at Pirate City.

Now with 11 media members assembled in room 231 B, congregating in front of Reynolds’ locker, I see pitcher Rich Hill, who Pittsburgh inked to a one-year deal last month. I gather plenty of notes from our conversation for an upcoming feature.

As promised by Dan Hart, longtime Pirates director of media relations (and on time), Reynolds arrives to answer questions. Another scribe who instantly impresses me with his confidence in the clubhouse is MLB.com reporter Justice delos Santos.

Reynolds tells of a willingness to remain a Pirate given the right contractual circumstances. He remains calm, and in control of what he wants to be said in public.

By 8:30 a.m., when Reynolds has said all that he would, players begin filtering into the expanded clubhouse area more rapidly. Many apparently haven’t seen each other since the end of last season, which was the second in a row in which Pittsburgh lost 100 games or more.

Manager Derek Shelton and his coaching staff (there are 13 members of Shelton’s staff listed in the team’s directory) finish up an early morning meeting by 8:30 a.m. Lots of handshakes and hugs are in motion from bench coach Don Kelly, as he passes through rooms 245A and 231B.

When the clubhouse is closed to visitors, the writers retreat to the media work room and prepare their stories on what Reynolds said. They, almost in unison, complete their stories by 10:00 a.m.

Next, our group begins to make our way to the playing fields. I stick close to the group as the maze-like, winding corridor that will eventually bring me to daylight is a bit intimidating.

Almost instantly, sounds of balls being fiercely hit to all parts of the field, and balls being hurled at incredible speeds into catchers’ gloves are detected. Over the next several hours I watch bunting drills, pick-off plays to second and third base off the pitching mound, and infielders taking ground balls by the dozens.

Tis the season to practice, practice, practice.

As I exited the Pirates complex on 27th Street East, I saw for the first time up close an MLB club coming together. They have six weeks to sharpen their skills before the games count. I witnessed a promise that the young and old that complete the Pirates’ roster will do whatever they need to, so a third consecutive 100-loss season isn’t registered.

When I return next to Pirate City, I’ll look for progress.