The Wandering Disciple

Sarasota, Florida: With the end of spring training fast approaching, the Charlotte Stone Crabs were in Sarasota to face the Frederick Keys during the final week of exhibition games. Matt Moore was on the mound for Charlotte in what looks to be his final start before the regular season begins. Minor league spring traning ends on April 3 with opening day on April 8. For more photos from the game, visit my Stone Crabs/Keys photo gallery.

Boca Grande, Florida: Located on the southern tip of the private island of Boca Grande, Gasparilla Island State Park is a state park located on the Gulf of Mexico at the entrance to Charlotte Harbor. Since the late 1800’s, the two lighthouses that are located within the park have provided navigation to ships that navigate the shallow waters here. The park is a popular spot for fishing and shelling as well as Florida water sports. Purchased by the State of Florida in 1983 and opened as a park in the park system, Gasparilla Island State Park contains miles of beachfront with several beach accesses. The clear warm Gulf of Mexico waters are a haven for sunbathers as well as wildlife. Many species of birds and animals call the park home including Osprey, Gulls, Terns, Iguanas, Tortoises and more. The waters are also home to a variety of sea life including dolphins, sharks and the popular sport fish Tarpon. Anchoring the park at the southern tip is the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse. T...

Sarasota, Florida: As the numbers of players on the major league roster dwindles down to opening day levels, the minor league rosters are beginning to shape up to opening day order as well. This was evident in the new faces in camp for the exhibition game between the Charlotte Stone Crabs and Frederick Keys at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota. Matt Moore was on the mound for the Stone Crabs as they took on the Keys. There were no official stats but below is a collection of photos from the contest. For photos from the game, visit my Stone Crabs/Keys photo gallery.

Port Charlotte, Florida: With the Tampa Bay Rays taking on the Minnesota Twins in Charlotte Sports Park, the minor league affiliates of the Rays and the Boston Red Sox were battling it out on the back fields of the complex. The Charlotte Stone Crabs and Salem Red Sox were facing each other in an exhibition contest. As with other minor league training games, no official stats were recorded and below is a collections of images from the game. For photos from the game, visit my Stone Crabs/Red Sox photo gallery.

Salem, Virginia: The Salem Red Sox are the Class-A Advanced affiliates of the Boston Red Sox. The Salem Sox play in the South Division of the Carolina League. Minor league baseball has been a part of Salem history since 1957. Salem Red Sox franchise did not develop until the 2009 season when the player development contract with the Houston Astros expired following the 2008 season. Fenway Sports Group took over the club and a Boston Red Sox player development contract was quick to follow. The Red Sox play their home games in Lewis-Gale Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark. They play a 140 game schedule with 70 games played at home. The Salem Red Sox won the division title in their first season in 2009 but fell short in the league finals. For photos of the club during spring training in Florida, visit my Salem Red Sox photo gallery.

Sarasota, Florida: In preparation for the 2010 season, the minor league affiliates of the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles took to the fields in an exhibition game at Twin Lakes Park. The Charlotte Stone Crabs and Frederick Keys played a nine inning exhibition game Thursday afternoon under the Florida sunshine. Although no official stats were recorded below is a collection of images from the contest. For photos from the game, visit my Stone Crabs/Keys photo gallery.

Frederick, Maryland: The Frederick Keys are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Keys are members of the Carolina League’s Northern Division. The club was founded in 1989 when the club was moved to Frederick from Hagerstown. Since its inception, they have won three Carolina League titles (1990, 2005, 2007). The Keys play their games at Harry Grove Stadium. The stadium was not completed until 1990, so the Keys played their first season at McCurdy Field, a Babe Ruth baseball complex. The team name comes from a famous Maryland resident, Star Spangled Banner composer Francis Scott Key. For photos from spring training in Florida, visit my Frederick Keys photo gallery.