There’s good news for Barnstormers fans who don’t want to wait until the season starts to get a glimpse of the 2009 team. Spring training has been shifted from Lakeland, Fla. to Clipper Magazine Stadium.
“The past two league championship teams (Newark and Somerset) trained at home in the northeast the year they won it all,” head of baseball operations Keith Lupton said in a statement.
“While you can’t solely attribute that success to where the teams trained, there is no doubt that the travel to Florida and then to Lancaster with only a day to get comfortable before the season begins is rigorous. We’re eliminating that, and we’ll see how it goes.”
Lupton said the decision to bring preseason preparation to Lancaster is an experiment. It’s possible workouts will be shifted back to Florida in the future.
Spring training is scheduled to begin on April 13. In the event of inclement weather, workouts will be moved to the B2B Baseball and Softball Academy in Manheim.
Fans will be permitted to watch some workouts as well as potential exhibition games this spring. Discussions are ongoing about the Barnstormers possibly playing York (which is also training up north), Somerset or local college teams as a warm-up for the regular-season opener against Newark on April 23.
FanFest will be held at the Clip on April 18 and will feature a full meet-the-team autograph party in addition to traditional FanFest activities. Fans will be permitted to watch some of the team workouts as well as potential scrimmage games.
Now THAT is sweet!
This is exciting news! I look forward to seeing how this change works out.
yea, that is cool. April seems so far away.
Bring it on….Fabulous News!! Now about the Coaching Staff???
Hey Kelly – B2B is right here in Mayberry
well hey, if nothing else it’s gotta be cheaper!
Are tanning beds at B2B??? I really love Florida in April
This will be all new to me. I can not wait to see it.
Jan till game day is tough to see who we are getting. Of course I would like to see Lance and ross come back. But like rick they can not play forever. Sometimes changes are good. I will be there every game even if Lance does not come back. SAD but I will be there.
No tanning beds Rad, but there is a lounge with wireless internet which overlooks the the facility on 2 sides from up above – really cool set up.
Wouldn’t it be great if Lance was the new pitching coach! I mean, who else knows pitches better than a catcher.
I hope thats said sarcastically Maureen! LOL. I would think of the two coaching positions left to fill…I would prefer Lance to be hitting instructor! Seriously speaking how many catchers are named pitching coaches….anywhere in baseball? Oh I guess we could become “pioneers” in doing something like that but….
Besides I think Lance would rather play at this point if he’s able rather than coach!
Oh and additionally I am pretty sure the Barnstormers will look to someone with more “pitching coach ” experience…I am not sure that we need someone with little experience filling that role considering how some of you are not happy with Hayes still being here. I am sure they are looking at someone with “name” recognition and probably some major league experience. I could be wrong but looking at the names who are currently pitching coaches (and managers) and for the most part hitting coaches in the league….well to “keep up” we’ll need that as well.
Good business sense.
dadTB
Not to change subject, but Wayne Krenchicki has been named manager of the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League. Steve Foucault and Ryan Jones follow him to Indiana. It’ll be a big change from the AL and will require a lot more hands on work than in the Veteran-based AL.
Jason – Hope all is well!
KW
Jason we need another poll or something getting bored out here in “blogville”
Always nice to hear from an alumnus. What’s Kevin doing now?
I was the hitting coach in 2008 for the Frontier League Champion Windy City Thunderbolts. I sure know how to get lucky! It was a tremendous bunch of guys and an amazing journey to the championship. Looking to perhaps get back into AL on the staff side. Time will tell.
Hi Kevin.. you are the Kevin that played for us a while back right?
I played for a little shortstop in 2005 and 2006.
Yep, I thought that was you KW. First time I met you was in Camden, you were chatting on your phone outside the locker room and I walk over and asked who you were??? Rather rude now that I think of it but.. thats me… so let me apologize
Think I was in such pain with a bumb knee that the only thing on my mind was getting ice.. Thanks Scottie P, truely saved me that day.
Hang around the blog Kevin.. it gets very interesting at times.. LOL
Got your “pink” jersey Kevin!
I hope the I didn’t bring down the value of the jersey by putting my signature on it!
Haha….not sure of the value but the sig adds to it in my mind!
Another reason why the Barnstormer fans are the best in baseball! Very kind words. Much apppreciated