BRADENTON, Fla. – I’ve covered a lot of minor league Spring Trainings at Pirate City.
Ten, to be exact, prior to this season.
This one had a much different feel, and it’s not because I’m the only media member who is covering this massive group of players this year.
The atmosphere around this camp is different. Gone are the long workdays, the drill-sergeant approach to the schedule, players running in groups from station to station, and every single member of player development hovering around every batting practice swing and every practice pitch off the mound.