Opening Night in San Luis

Baseball for 2009 has finally arrived! As the final flickers of sunlight faded into night, the Arizona Winter League officially arrived in San Luis, Arizona, and a victorious night it was for the homeside. San Luis left seven men on-base in the first three-frames, but the bats came alive as the Atleticos sandwiched five runs a piece in the fourth and sixth innings around a three spot in the 5th to runaway from Team Canada. Final score: San Luis 14 Team Canada 1.

The evening was an event all unto itself. San Luis is a fantastic baseball town, and the AWL was very excited to bring professional baseball to Joe Orduno Park. AWL President Dave Kaval and AWL Commissioner Kevin Outcalt were both on hand to take in the sights for themselves. Also marking the occasion was the San Luis High School band (as seen below), who played the national anthem prior to first pitch.

The Atleticos appear to have a solid squad who should entertain the local following for the next month. Team Canada didn't get the bats going as they would've liked, but Reid Horton showed he belongs as a No.1 starter in the league, and Garry Templeton's squad will get right back after it.

In other AWL action, the Blythe Heat outlasted the Saskatchewan Silver Sox (a last minute schedule change) 9 to 7 at Alexander Field in Blythe, CA. Saturday's slate of games sees the league makes its' inaugural appearance in Palm Springs, CA, as well as another set of games in San Luis and Blythe.

(Team Canada being announced on the field prior to the start of the 2009 AWL season)

Draft Night Party!

Wow! What a wild evening. The draft room was constant chatter and 188 ballplayers waited anxiously in the clubhouse for their assignments.

First, the BBQ. Glenn and Jimmy from the front office tamed the propane beast, as you can see. Hot dogs and burgers, just about as American as baseball. From 4pm until the final ounces of propane burned away, everyone here at the clubhouse got their fill.

Some of those burgers and dogs made it into the draft room, and a good thing they did. Everyone involved was holed up in the war-room for every bit of three hours. Stephen Bedford, a front office man with the GBL, must have super-human hearing. Stephen was charged with taking down the picks as they came, and I don't believe I've ever heard a room full of men carry-on, barter and bluff, and think outloud like I did tonight. A "spirited" draftroom might be an understatement.

But...after three hours, every list had been checked twice and the draft completed. 188 players across eight teams. Take a look at this final picture. (Every single member of the AWL crammed into one clubhouse!) And as I write this, the first pitch of 2009 is less than 44 hours away. A quick turnaround for these players after spending a good portion of the night here at the complex. Now, the teams practice separately for the first time tommorrow and begin the process of becoming a team.

MID-WEEK- BBQ and Draft Day!

We're halfway through our week of spring training, and the weather's finally heating up. Also heating up today will be the BBQ (here are the supplies) and the shape of the league! Today is draft day, the day everyone's been waiting for. The players are anxious to figure out which team they'll be representing, and the coaches are all bluffing each other about whom they've taken a liking too.

All the players are out on the four fields now, making their last impressions. Here we've got a good picture of one of the first fans who have trickled out to the complex to check out some scrimmage action.

Lots of more pictures to come from the BBQ, and of course, stay tuned to the blog, and to arizonawinterleague.com for all the draft night information.

Afternoon Pictures

After a lunch of Olive Garden in the clubhouse, everyone checked this list, the masterlist and headed out to the fields.

In the afternoons, each one of the four fields at the Ray Kroc complex is bustling with a scrimmage. The pitchers are knocking the dust off their wings, and the batter's are trying to get their first sweet-feeling hacks of the year. I was watching action this afternoon where a lefty with a wicked slider broke bats consecutively, getting ground ball outs. His name shall remain a mystery...But, the first pitch is just days away, and the forecast promises plenty of sunshine to accompany your day out with the AWL!

Training Day #2

A little later start for everyone today. 9:30am stretch-call. Everyone was a little worn-out after an anxious first day of on-field baseball activities. Not to mention a nice night-out for all the players and AWL staff hosted by Buffalo Wild Wings yesterday.

The weather remains a little chilly, as a constant breeze from the west tempers our sunshine. Of course, “chilly” here in Yuma is relative. I heard plenty of the ballplayers discussing the bone-chilling wintry weather they left behind.

Everything will take further shape tomorrow night with the player-draft. Meanwhile, it’s almost lunch-time, and the afternoon promises more scrimmaging and some warmer sunshine.

The Boys of Winter are Here!

Welcome to the unofficial Arizona Winter League blog. I am your scribe, Joe Rauschenberger, embedded deep in the offices of Desert Sun Stadium as a media intern for this 2009 season.

It's a chilly Monday morning here in the Southwest, but the sun is climbing and baseball players are arriving by the van-full! Close to a 170 ballplayers from half-a-dozen countries and all corners of America came through the offices yesterday. An evening meeting brought everyone together at once for introductions (pictured below), and the mood was set for hardwork.

Stretches began sharply at 8:30am this morning. The ballplayers will have three days to make their impressions on the impressive array of scouts and managers before Wednesday night's player-draft.


I took this last photo as I strolled around the ballfields. Jimmy Tenerovich (Alphareta, GA) takes some time, as I imagine all the young men did, to reflect on the wild and exciting month we all have ahead of us.

Thus...we're here at the end of post numero uno. Stay tuned to this blog, as well as arizonawinterleague.com for information, pictures, and most importantly...BASEBALL! The 2009 professional season starts anew right here in the third installment of the Arizona Winter League!