Photo of the Day: Awaiting the Sign
Tampa Bay Rays minor league pitcher Shawn Smith awaits the pitch sign from his catcher during a minor league exhibition game at Twin Lake Park. (Photo: June 3, 2011)
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Photo of the Day: Before They Were Stars
Before a baseball player can make the big time, they have to pay their dues on the backfields of ballparks in Florida and Arizona. Each spring while the big league clubs play in front of thousands of screaming fans, hopeful big leaguers get their work in with the hopes of one day fulfilling their dreams of making the majors. Pictured here is the Red Sox Xander Bogaerts taking swings in extended spring training in 2011, two years before he would make his MLB debut with Boston in August of 2013. (Photo: May 30, 2011)
Extended Spring Training: Rays at Orioles
Sarasota, Florida: As the days wind down to opening day for the short season teams, the players continue to work on their skills during exhibition games at extended spring training. Since April, the players not assigned to a full season team have spent time in extended spring training, waiting for their chance to break to their 2016 home. Today the Rays headed north to Ed Smith Stadium for a Friday afternoon game against the Orioles. The extended spring training roster is comprised of lower level minor league players that are in their first couple years of professional baseball. They play six games a week. The games are focused on player development and there are no scoreboards or frills of a professional baseball game. Extended spring training continues through June 10. At that time, the players will be assigned to their short-season affiliate for opening day. Click on the photo above to view my Rays/Orioles photo gallery .