ballpeen Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 Indians report to new spring digs http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/ar...sp&c_id=cle GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Down the hallway that leads to the Major League clubhouse at the Indians' new Spring Training complex, workers were still hanging artwork and setting up phone and electrical lines. The finishing touches were being placed on the Tribe's portion of the $108 million facility. In the clubhouse, the Indians' pitchers and catchers were as ready as they're going to be. While this club is far from a finished product, a busy offseason gave way to a camp of renewed optimism in a new atmosphere Thursday morning. Goodyear was officially open for business. After 14 springs in Winter Haven, Fla., the Indians have returned to the Cactus League in a growing desert city about 20 miles west of Phoenix. Standing in stark contrast to the archaic facilities at Chain of Lakes Park, the Indians are breaking in a state-of-the-art facility. "It's unbelievable," left-hander Zach Jackson said, no doubt echoing the first impression shared by many of his teammates. General manager Mark Shapiro, who felt guilty having his players train in the cramped, cluttered and outdated Winter Haven facility all those years, was especially looking forward to the first day of work in Goodyear. "The boost from energy and culture that facility is going to provide for us will then transcend into the actual competitive resource the facility will provide," Shapiro said. "It's something we've wanted a long time. It's something [team president] Paul Dolan has worked extremely hard to make happen and something I'm extremely excited about." And Shapiro and the Indians are just as excited about the product they'll put on the field in 2009 after an interesting winter. The Tribe was the most aggressive of any club in the American League Central, adding closer Kerry Wood and starter Carl Pavano in free agency and third baseman Mark DeRosa, reliever Joe Smith and infield prospect Luis Valbuena in trades. Couple those additions with the return of Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez from last year's injury woes, and the Indians believe they have the goods to return to the top of the division. Now, the real work of preparing for the season begins. While the Indians don't have many position battles -- they merely need to settle on a fifth starter, seventh member of the bullpen and final position player -- there are still some questions that need to be answered. That begins, first and foremost, with testing the health and effectiveness of Hafner, who began his hitting program in Goodyear late last month following offseason shoulder surgery. Pitchers and catchers will report to the $108 million Goodyear complex Thursday and take their physicals Friday, with their first official workout being held Saturday morning. Position players will report Sunday, and the first full-squad workout will be Feb. 17. The initial days of camp are rather mundane, from a fan's perspective. They are heavy on bullpen sessions, pitchers' fielding practice drills and bunting and batting practice. It will get quite a bit more interesting when the Cactus League season opens with the grand opening of the Goodyear Ballpark on Feb. 25, when the Indians host the Giants. Two more home games against the Diamondbacks and Padres follow before the first road date with the A's in Phoenix on Feb. 28. A Cactus schedule extended by the World Baseball Classic wraps up April 2, when the Tribe faces the Cubs in nearby Mesa, Ariz. The Indians will then pack up their bags and head off to Houston for a pair of exhibitions against the Astros on April 3 and 4, setting up the season opener in Arlington against the Rangers on April 6. This spring marks the Tribe's return to Arizona after 14 Grapefruit League seasons in Winter Haven. The Indians trained in Tucson for 46 years before moving to Florida in 1993. Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zombo Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 Indians report to new spring digs http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/ar...sp&c_id=cle GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Down the hallway that leads to the Major League clubhouse at the Indians' new Spring Training complex, workers were still hanging artwork and setting up phone and electrical lines. The finishing touches were being placed on the Tribe's portion of the $108 million facility. In the clubhouse, the Indians' pitchers and catchers were as ready as they're going to be. While this club is far from a finished product, a busy offseason gave way to a camp of renewed optimism in a new atmosphere Thursday morning. Goodyear was officially open for business. After 14 springs in Winter Haven, Fla., the Indians have returned to the Cactus League in a growing desert city about 20 miles west of Phoenix. Standing in stark contrast to the archaic facilities at Chain of Lakes Park, the Indians are breaking in a state-of-the-art facility. "It's unbelievable," left-hander Zach Jackson said, no doubt echoing the first impression shared by many of his teammates. General manager Mark Shapiro, who felt guilty having his players train in the cramped, cluttered and outdated Winter Haven facility all those years, was especially looking forward to the first day of work in Goodyear. "The boost from energy and culture that facility is going to provide for us will then transcend into the actual competitive resource the facility will provide," Shapiro said. "It's something we've wanted a long time. It's something [team president] Paul Dolan has worked extremely hard to make happen and something I'm extremely excited about." And Shapiro and the Indians are just as excited about the product they'll put on the field in 2009 after an interesting winter. The Tribe was the most aggressive of any club in the American League Central, adding closer Kerry Wood and starter Carl Pavano in free agency and third baseman Mark DeRosa, reliever Joe Smith and infield prospect Luis Valbuena in trades. Couple those additions with the return of Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez from last year's injury woes, and the Indians believe they have the goods to return to the top of the division. Now, the real work of preparing for the season begins. While the Indians don't have many position battles -- they merely need to settle on a fifth starter, seventh member of the bullpen and final position player -- there are still some questions that need to be answered. That begins, first and foremost, with testing the health and effectiveness of Hafner, who began his hitting program in Goodyear late last month following offseason shoulder surgery. Pitchers and catchers will report to the $108 million Goodyear complex Thursday and take their physicals Friday, with their first official workout being held Saturday morning. Position players will report Sunday, and the first full-squad workout will be Feb. 17. The initial days of camp are rather mundane, from a fan's perspective. They are heavy on bullpen sessions, pitchers' fielding practice drills and bunting and batting practice. It will get quite a bit more interesting when the Cactus League season opens with the grand opening of the Goodyear Ballpark on Feb. 25, when the Indians host the Giants. Two more home games against the Diamondbacks and Padres follow before the first road date with the A's in Phoenix on Feb. 28. A Cactus schedule extended by the World Baseball Classic wraps up April 2, when the Tribe faces the Cubs in nearby Mesa, Ariz. The Indians will then pack up their bags and head off to Houston for a pair of exhibitions against the Astros on April 3 and 4, setting up the season opener in Arlington against the Rangers on April 6. This spring marks the Tribe's return to Arizona after 14 Grapefruit League seasons in Winter Haven. The Indians trained in Tucson for 46 years before moving to Florida in 1993. Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. "Pitchers and Catchers Report" is always my favorite topic to see on the board in February. Zombo --4 beautiful words Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballpeen Posted February 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 I am glad we have the new facility, though I will miss them being in Florida. It made for a nice junket to head down there for a week or so and follow the Tribe around for a few days, and they usually made a stop in Atlanta on the way back to Cleveland to play a few games against the Braves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furnier Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 As of right now, I have two trips planned. Going to Goodyear on Wednesday March 4th to watch the Tribe vs. the Cubs and Sunday March 22nd in Tucson for the Tribe vs. Rockies. If I make these trips I'll take the digital camera and try to get a few pics up here. Count me in as one who is happy the Tribe is back in the Cactus League. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClevelandFanForLife Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 clearly we will have a 5 cy young candidates and at least 4 of the top 5 mvp candidates this year. championship won. game over. seriously though, i really feel good about this year and if we can stay healthy we will be a force come fall. cc will choke in the playoffs again, aj burnett is not worth the money he is getting and will probably get hurt and the other yankees are too divided. i think that the same goes for the angels now. too much high priced talent and not enough unity. the problem will be with boston. they have there act together and have the talent. however they also had the talent last year and lost. all and all i am really looking forward to this season and can't wait for the tribe to bring home cleveland's first championship in 45 years (excluding the wnba). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beanpot Posted February 14, 2009 Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 If I make these trips I'll take the digital camera and try to get a few pics up here. Doug Please do Doug, I look forward to it! Beanpot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG71097 Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Please do Doug, I look forward to it! Beanpot Since most of us couldn't be in Goodyear this year I had a "friend" do this video for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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