April 2, 2001

Bloody Wednesday came and went and I am still alive. I never realized how quick this whole thing could be over. It had been rumored that the big chop was going to come down on Sunday, but the coaches delayed it until Wednesday. For about thirty guys, Wednesday was the last day of their baseball career. While most people dream of playing a kid's game for a living, this game is at times a cruel and arbitrary business. The toughest part of this environment is the ever-changing and always-moving dynamic of people and places that one has to deal with.

There are people in many stages of their life when spring training starts and subsequently ends. In the midst of the stretching, wall exercises, weight lifting and games people will naturally begin to form friendships. Over the course of many hours of the day, these friends help to get you through the day. One such guy Matt Steele was a friend to almost everyone. He had no issues with jealousy or trust and really did care about other people. He was released on Wednesday. On Thursday we had to report to work and perform like there was nothing different. Needless to say, morale for the rest of camp was low on Wednesday and Thursday as people dealt with the new changes and braced themselves for the possibility of more to come.

At this point in spring training, most players have begun to hit a season groove and now begin to feel ready for real games. During the last week of spring training, starters are now pitching 4 and 5 innings and position players are getting a lot more at-bats. Our strength coach has prepared plans for each individual player and now the workouts have become timed and in sync with the five-day rotation. Everyone leaves for their team on Saturday or Sunday and get ready to start the season.

One of the best things about the end of spring training is that the players can evaluate their performance, and rationalize it into a helpful attitude for the rest of the season. If a player has a poor spring training, he gets energized by the new and fresh start that the season brings. Conversely, if a player has a good spring he will feel ready and can't wait to start the new year.

After surviving my first spring training, I can only begin to think of the things I can do better in the offseason to make the transition a little easier. I am excited about the upcoming season and can't wait to get into the daily grind that every kid and dad in America wishes they were a part of. In fact, one of my favorite things has been the amount of e-mail I receive from kids in high school wanting to be better. While it's difficult to tell them absolutes of pitching through email, I can guide them to places where they can actually get better and get good advice.

Well, the maid just knocked and told me to get out the room so she can clean. Apparently, ever since I learned how to tip the maids at hotels they are a lot more willing to clean your room and a lot more willing to kick you out of the room to get it done.

You can contact Will Rosellini at Rumi54@aol.com.