Play Ball!

The day has finally arrived.  We can officially say “Play Ball!” Well, spring training ball.  Today officially marks the first day of the Cactus League.  The Chicago White Sox set out onto the field to battle the Dodgers but unfortunately came up short in a 6-4 loss.  Since this is spring training and the first game of the spring season, winning wasn’t necessarily the most important aspect of today.  Although it would have been reassuring to see the Sox win their first game and see Robin Ventura get his first W as a manager, there are plenty of more opportunities in the days to come. 

These games prior to the actual start of the season are about stepping up to the plate and taking chances players normally would not during the regular season.  Its’ about pushing out of the comfort zone and seeing what everybody is capable of prior to the start of the season when every game counts.   He said, “Today, you're going through it and looking at different stuff as far as positioning and playing the infield in, back…” As the team learns from their mistakes, they will be able to better plan for the future and know who needs to be in the field and at the plate in clutch situations.

 A victory over the Dodgers would have been a good way to start the season for the new skipper and for the new team, but there’s always Opening Day 2012.  Ventura remains optimistic as he remembers being a player at one time.