Day 1

Saturday March 15, 2008
I arrived at the Peoria Spring Training Complex around 8:00 this morning. The first thing I noticed is that the place is HUGE! I had no idea what to expect, but I didn’t expect this many fields. I began by checking in with both teams and figuring out my logistics so I wouldn’t have to walk too far. The best set up was in the press box, so I caught a ride on a golf cart over to the Padres practice fields. I located Mitch Canham, Lake Stevens High School class of 2003, and was able to shoot a few shots of him while he took batting practice. I introduced myself as he walked from the field to the cages for more swings. He seemed quite surprised that someone from the Lake Stevens Journal was here to cover him. I believe he is in the AA camp but will have to double check that. He said he dresses for the big league game every other day and is usually in the bullpen, but today he was playing in the AA game--not the big league game. He has only had one at bat in a big league game so far this spring. I headed back to the press box to do a little prep work before game time. The sun is shining (it is probably in the 80’s) and baseball music (Kenny Rogers, I am the Greatest) is playing over the intercom. The smell of baseball is in the air: peanuts, popcorn, and hot dogs. What awesome atmosphere! I have been to Spring Training several times when the Padres were in Yuma, the last time being in 1984, but this is my first trip to Spring Training as a part of the media, and wow, there is really nothing like this.
Scores:
The Padres lost to the A’s 9-3 in Peoria, AZ.
The Mariners lost to the Giants 14-8 in Scottsdale, AZ.