The Wandering Disciple

Rays minor leaguer Juan Carlos Arias has his eyes fixed on home plate as the pitcher delivers during a Fall Instructional League game in Sarasota, Florida. The ballparks in Florida and Arizona are typically busy with baseball all year long as the clubs groom minor league players into potential big league stars. (Photo: August 19, 2016)

Port Charlotte, Florida: Each year at the conclusion of the minor league baseball season, a group of prospects assemble throughout camps in Florida and Arizona for the fall instructional league.  This three week camp gives rising stars an additional opportunity to improve their game in front of the watchful eyes of their clubs player development staff.  While much of the camp is dedicated to skills development, these players get an opportunity to showcase their skill in a few exhibition game. Thursday afternoon, the Rays hosted the Red Sox for an exhibition game.  While these games are regulation nine inning contests, the emphasis is placed on working on fundamentals rather than winning or losing.  Each team will play a handful of games before camp breaks and players head into the off-season. You can catch the boys of summer playing a little fall ball for a few more days before camp ends. Check out your favorite teams website to see a list of players in camp as...

Sarasota, Florida:  Sunshine, rain showers and baseball all came together at Ed Smith Stadium as the Orioles hosted the Rays in the Fall Instructional League.  In typical Florida fashion it was hot and sunny yet rainy at the same time while the teams went head to head on the field. We are nearing the end of the three week Fall Instructional League where top prospects through-out baseball get extra work in front of the organization coaching staff. Today's game was the final meeting of the fall between the Rays and Orioles. Click on the photo to view my Rays/Orioles photo gallery .

Sarasota, Florida: While the major league rosters have expanded and the playoff push is in full gear, a group of up and coming prospects gather in Florida and Arizona for the Fall Instructional League.  The three week program allows young players to hone their skills in front of the player development staff. During the camp, a series of exhibition scrimmages take place.  The informal games are focused on player development rather than winning and losing.  The first game kicked on Monday at the Orioles hosted the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Click on the photo above to view my Rays/Orioles photo gallery .

Sarasota, Florida: A sunny Fall day provided the backdrop for some afternoon baseball as the Fall Instructional League is underway in Florida. Today’s game featured the Orioles hosting the Twins. The Fall Instructional League runs for three weeks and features an opportunity for rising minor league stars to have a few additional weeks of instruction under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff. Click on the photo above for photos from the Orioles/Twins game .

Orioles slugger Chris Davis gets some reps at third base in the instructional league as he prepares for a return to the majors after his suspension is over. (Photo: October 2, 2014)

Sarasota, Florida:  The Fall Instructional League is in full swing as the Orioles hosted the Twins at a sunny Ed Smith Stadium.  Today's game featured a big league surprise as Orioles slugger Chris Davis started at third base for the Orioles.  The fall instructional league is winding down with about a week left before camp breaks for the year. Click on the photo to view my Orioles/Twins photo gallery .

Sarasota, Florida: It was a soggy, rainy day as the Orioles hosted the Red Sox during the Fall Instructional League. The game time was moved up to avoid a rain-out but it didn't keep the rain away as the teams competed under the light for a day game. Click on the photo for photos from the Orioles/Red Sox game .

Rays prospect Casey Gillaspie hits a towering fly ball during Friday's instructional league game against the Orioles. Gillaspie was drafted by the Rays in the first round of the 2014 Draft out of Wichita State University. (Photo: September 26, 2014)

Sarasota, Florida:  While fall may be in the air in most of the country, the sun is still out in Florida and is shining on the Fall Instructional League.  The Orioles hosted the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium.  The fall instructional league continues through October 7 and features some of the top minor league young prospects in the game. Click on the photo to view my Rays/Orioles photo gallery.

Professional baseball is back on Grapefruit League fields as Major League Baseball hosts the Fall Instructional League.  Minor league prospects will play three weeks of instructional games under the watchful eye of the team's player development staff for an opportunity to show their value to the organization.  (Photo: September 15, 2014)

Sarasota, Florida:  The Fall Instructional League is in full swing as the Orioles hosted the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium.  The instructional league takes place each year with the top young minor league players are invited to major league camp and given a brief work-out and a handful of exhibition games as they showcase their talents in front of the organization. Click on the photo above to view my photo gallery from today's Rays/Orioles game.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jesse Crain makes a rehab start in the fall instructional league. Crain, an all-star reliever, was signed by the Rays in an attempt to add depth to the Rays bullpen. (Photo: September 19, 2013)

Tampa Bay Rays minor league pitcher Jose Alonzo and catcher Nick Ciuffo talk things over on the mound during an Instructional League game against the Orioles. (Photo: September 16, 2013)

Sarasota, Florida: The Fall Instructional League continues with a Thursday afternoon match-up between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles. The Fall Instructional League is a short camp that allows prominent minor league players the chance to play under the watchful eyes of the team’s coaching and coordination staff. This is one last chance to make an impression with the staff before the offseason. In addition to the regular minor league prospects, today’s game featured a rehab appearance by Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Reliever Jesse Crain as he puts the finishing touches on a return to the field in time for the postseason push. Click on the photo above to view my Rays/Orioles photo gallery .

Sarasota, Florida:  With the minor league season finished, several prominent minor leagues returned to camp for the Fall Instructional League.  The short camp allows players to continue developing with the coaching staff while playing a series of exhibition games against other clubs.  The Rays and Orioles faced off in the first  game of the camp on Monday at Ed Smith Stadium. Click on the photo for pictures from the Rays/Orioles game .

Sarasota, Florida: The Reds minor league squad took on a squad from the Twins for a fall exhibition game under sunny skies at Ed Smith Stadium for the final game of the fall instructional league. The Fall Instructional League follows the completion of the regular league season and consists of highly regarded prospects in the lower levels of minor league baseball. The players compete in a series of games and workouts to help refine their game and advance their careers. Just like minor league spring training and extended spring training, the purpose of the instructional league is to enhance a player’s game. No stats or scores are officially recorded; the focus is strictly on player development and not competition. Click on the photo above for pictures from the Reds/Twin gallery.