Let the games begin

Tonight is fan appreciation night in Springfield at Hammonds Field, season ticket holders get to come out and watch the team practice, get autographs, pictures, free food, etc.
I found that out on the Springfield Cardinals site, when I talked to Dave last night, he had no clue. I guess they don't get told much, just show up when you are supposed to and play ball. That's the way it will be for the next 5 months. In one way, life is simple, people are doing things for you, you only have to worry about being where you are supposed to be when told, other than that you don't have to think much about anything else.
In the case of tomorrow, be at the field at 12 for a 7-8 bus hour ride to your first season game. That's a short trip, the longer ones to Texas run about 14-15 hours to the farthest desination, which is traveled at night, but in AA you get sleeper buses, last man who joins the team has to sleep on the floor, if there is more than 25, but I hear they share this, pitchers who have to pitch the next day get beds. I guess it's a team effort.
I spoke to son last night, he felt comfortable and actually felt like he never left (he was there for two months last season). He is looking forward to the fan support not found in Jupiter, better clubhouse food and not having to carry his own bags. :) That probably will be the last nice chat we will have for awhile once games begin, different time zone. We wait for him to call. But I get lots of info from Lauren. :0 And the coverage is pretty good, being very close to the big team, there's an excitement for many fans about seeing future redbirds play in Missouri. The cards farm system in general was ranked pretty low this year, so it should be interesting to see how they all do in comparison to other teams.

As expected, some players are showing up on the DL after spring training. That's how they manipulate the roster #'s, very interesting.