Tampa Bay Rays hold first spring workout for pitchers and catchers

Pitchers routinely begin spring practices by preparing their throwing arms with a soft toss. Seen having a catch here are veteran Rays' hurlers David Price and Jeff Niemann. Price is the anchor of the club's staff and captured the 2012 Cy Young Award with a stellar 20-5 record and American League best 2.56 ERA. Meanwhile, the tall Niemann only started 8 games due to a broken leg suffered early in the season.Though pitching is undoubtedly the strength of the Tampa Bay Rays, the club's catchers deserve credit for impressively handling an array of young talent. Veteran Jose Molina is expected to receive the majority of the playing time and frames pitches as well as any backstop in the game. Younger catchers including Chris Jimenez, Robinson Chirinos, Jose Lobatan, and Stephen Vogt are competing to earn playing time on the bench. Here the Rays' catchers are seen warming up at the start of practice.With the beginning of baseball's spring training, the Grapefruit League comes to life throughout the state of Florida. The Tampa Bay Rays opened camp on Tuesday, Feb. 12, in the quaint Gulf of Mexico town of Port Charlotte. 27 pitchers and 7 catchers initially reported and the first organized workouts were held on the grounds of Charlotte Sports Park on Wednesday. In this picture, the club's impressive pitching staff gathers on the field to hear words from manager Joe Maddon and pitching coach Jim Hickey.View the list »
With the opening of camp on Tuesday, Feb. 12, workouts for pitchers and catchers are underway at Charlotte Sports Park, the spring home of the Tampa Bay Rays.

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The boys of spring have returned to Port Charlotte, Florida. On Tuesday, Feb. 12, pitchers and catchers first reported to Charlotte Sports Park, the pre-season home of the Tampa Bay Rays. Following inaugural formalities, which traditionally includes posing for countless photos, the squad then held its first workout a day later on the numerous fields surrounding the picturesque stadium.

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With 65 players invited to camp, the most that Tampa Bay has brought to spring training since 2003, manager Joe Maddon supervised the initial practice. Only the team's 27 pitchers and seven catchers are initially required to report to the small community along Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast. However, numerous hitters elected to begin their workouts early at the club's facility, including Evan Longoria, Ben Zobrist, and Desmond Jennings, who were each spotted in the batting cages on Wednesday.

2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte, FL
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Several hundred baseball fans gathered to witness the nearly three hour practice that commenced at 10:00 a.m. While established pitchers like Fernando Rodney and Jeremy Hellickson drew the attention of on-lookers, this is also the time when younger players seek to catch the eye of the coaching staff. The workout was highlighted by the appearance of 2012 Cy Young Award winner David Price. The 27 year-old is coming off the finest season of his 5 year career, which included a Rays' high 20 victories and a league-best 2.56 ERA

Following a team meeting on the field, the squad broke up into pairs for light tossing. With photographers eagerly snapping pictures, the coaching staff supervised a rotation of drills, such as fielding come-backers and covering first base. Making the rounds, pitching coach Jim Hickey imparted words of wisdom, and the majority of Maddon's staff is characterized by veteran coaches. Towards the end of practice, half of the pitchers threw a bullpen session, while others focused on stretching and running.

Procuring autographs and interacting with players proved a popular goal of many fans. With the Rays gradually heading for the locker room, the session concluded by 1:00 p.m. Similar morning workouts are scheduled for the rest of the week and the full squad will report on Sunday. For a closer look at the highlights of Wednesday's opening practice, please view the photos in the list above.

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  • With the beginning of baseball's spring training, the Grapefruit League comes to life throughout the state of Florida. The Tampa Bay Rays opened camp on Tuesday, Feb. 12, in the quaint Gulf of Mexico town of Port Charlotte. 27 pitchers and 7 catchers initially reported and the first organized workouts were held on the grounds of Charlotte Sports Park on Wednesday. In this picture, the club's impressive pitching staff gathers on the field to hear words from manager Joe Maddon and pitching coach Jim Hickey.
  • Though pitching is undoubtedly the strength of the Tampa Bay Rays, the club's catchers deserve credit for impressively handling an array of young talent. Veteran Jose Molina is expected to receive the majority of the playing time and frames pitches as well as any backstop in the game. Younger catchers including Chris Jimenez, Robinson Chirinos, Jose Lobatan, and Stephen Vogt are competing to earn playing time on the bench. Here the Rays' catchers are seen warming up at the start of practice.
  • Pitchers routinely begin spring practices by preparing their throwing arms with a soft toss. Seen having a catch here are veteran Rays' hurlers David Price and Jeff Niemann. Price is the anchor of the club's staff and captured the 2012 Cy Young Award with a stellar 20-5 record and American League best 2.56 ERA. Meanwhile, the tall Niemann only started 8 games due to a broken leg suffered early in the season.
  • Tampa Bay Rays' manager Joe Maddon (right) confers with the team's General Manager Andrew Friedman during the opening day of practice. The pair has guided the franchise since 2006 and achieved considerable success, including the 2008 American League pennant. While Maddon is a 2-time American League Manager of the Year, his boss' capable handling of a thrifty payroll has earned respect throughout the game.
  • Listening to the frequently mundane instruction of spring training, this trio of young pitchers may dominate the Tampa Bay Rays' rotation for years to come. While Matt Moore (#55) already left a mark as a regular starter during his rookie campaign in 2012, 24 year-old Chris Archer made four starts after a late call-up from the minor leagues. Meanwhile, highly touted Jake Odorizzi (#23) was acquired from Kansas City in an off-season trade of veteran James Shields.
  • Sprinting away from the mound, 25 year-old Jeremy Hellickson practices covering first base during the opening day of player workouts. Hellickson captured the 2011 American League Rookie of the Year and followed that success with a respectable 3.10 ERA in 31 starts in 2012. Additionally, the sharp fielder was awarded the 2012 American League Gold Glove.
  • Tampa Bay Rays' manager Joe Maddon keeps a close eye on bullpen sessions during the opening day of workouts for pitchers and catchers. Throwing to Maddon's left is veteran hurler Jeff Niemann, who hopes to bounce back from an injury-plagued season. Newly-acquired Jake Montgomery tosses to the right of Maddon. Montgomery, a 23 year-old prospect who was received in the James Shields trade, is expected to begin the 2013 season in Triple-A.
  • Seen here with a fashionable bandana, Fernando Rodney is expected to serve as the Tampa Bay Rays' closer for the second consecutive season in 2013. Not only did the 35 year-old post career best numbers with the Rays, but Rodney arguably enjoyed the best single campaign by a modern reliever. In addition to a franchise best 48 saves, the Dominican Republic native enjoyed a miniscule 0.60 ERA in 74.2 innings.
  • No player in Rays' camp has received greater attention from fans and players alike than sixth year veteran David Price. The 27 year-old captured the 2012 Cy Young Award, which lovingly earned him the nickname of "Cy" throughout the opening day of spring training practice. The athletic Price is seen here stretching with the help of a trainer following a jog around the practice facility.
  • Spring training is a perfect time to procure autographs and numerous Rays' players typically sign at the end of practice. Hoping to land the final spot in the club's starting rotation, controversial free agent signee Roberto Hernandez is seen in this photo. Hernandez previously competed for the Cleveland Indians using the pseudonym Fausto Carmona. Due to exposure of his false identity, Hernandez missed most of the 2012 season, but the starter still earned a $3.5 million deal from Tampa Bay.
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, Ft. Myers Outdoor Recreation Examiner

Jeff Briscoe is a resident of Charlotte County and a proud dad of three great Florida kids. An avid outdoorsman, he's as likely to be found paddling a canoe as he is to be driving a car. His children give him the perfect excuse to explore Southwest Florida's numerous parks, playgrounds, piers,...

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