Day 9

It was a rainy day today, so the schedule was a bit messed up. We took another test this morning. I stopped messing up and got 100% this time. The people who sit around me are starting to notice this and have started checking with me for answers on some things. After the test, we quickly went over a the R1-R3 positionings, then went out to the fields and did our outside work. After lunch we were going to try to fit in a little more field work, but it started raining about 3/4 of the way through our stretching drill, so we ended up back inside for the rest of the day. Speaking of the stretching drill, we had to write a short essay today talking about how things have been going for us so far. They asked for constructive criticism, so I gave them my opinions on our stretching drills. So we'll see if they decide to change that up a bit. Probably not, but you never know. The rest of the afternoon was just lectures on rules and their application. We do a safe-out concentration drill at the end of almost every day, but it involves running around outside. Since we were inside this afternoon, they had us do it while running in place behind our seats. This was fine for the Out calls, but on the first Safe I nearly got my head taken off. We toned it down after that.

Yesterday was a review day, so this week hasn't been as intense as the first week in terms of tons of information being thrown at us. Since there isn't a lot of new stuff, they are getting more picky when critiquing us in drills and with our plate work. We had a competition yesterday between 4 of the groups on taking grounders on the infield at first. Of the 40+ reps, only one of them (by my roommate) was deemed good enough to get a point. I like how they specifically say "Not a bad job" instead of "Good job" when they're complimenting us on our field work.

Yesterday one of the instructors asked me if I like Nelly. I replied, "I have to."

Today's Spanish billboard of the day is brought to you by Bud Light: La diferencia es TOMABILIDAD (I no longer take credit/blame for the Bud ads now that they have been bought out)

A sidenote: Part of today's test material involved substitutions. This got me thinking about how the Cardinals could apply these rules. One of the biggest issues that the Cards have been trying to fix this offseason has been the left handed relief pitching. They've signed a few guys, but really nobody better than they had last year, and honestly, possibly worse. But they have a Lefty that they didn't use at all last year who they could use this year: Rick Ankiel. You're allowed to move a pitcher to a different defensive position once per inning. So you could bring in a righty reliever, switch him with Ankiel for a tough lefty batter, then bring the righty back a batter later. Now there are obvious issues with having your relievers playing defense and Ankiel saying he never wants to pitch again, but really, I think they could make this work. And it would be great.

Anyway, time for dinner. Later