CINCINNATI — Pitchers and catchers report for spring training in Goodyear, Arizona next week. Before the first pitch is thrown, Cincinnati Reds clubhouse staffers were up at bat to ensure the equipment beats them there.
That equipment includes at least 10,000 baseballs, 1,000 bats and 120 batting helmets, all loaded onto a semi Tuesday morning. The packing for spring training is about as planned as the season itself.
“It’s about a three, four month process that we get done in about one hour or so,” said Cincinnati Reds clubhouse assistant Tony Walter. “It’s a lot of planning and buildup and anticipation for about an hour’s worth of work that’s completed relatively efficiently.”
The truck driver will embark on the 1,825-mile trek from Great American Ball Park to Goodyear Wednesday with the trip taking two to three days.
The truck is packed with 400 socks, 200 hoodies, 100 jerseys, 160 buckets of bubble gum and, of course, sunflower seeds.
“We take a skid of sunflower seeds. I would say there’s no less than 100 cases of seeds,” Walter said.
It’s #TruckDay at GABP! Let’s load ‘er up! 🚛 #RedsST https://t.co/KP9ggevIVX
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) February 5, 2019
Reds staff and about 65 players will be at spring training for 45 straight days. Walter said preparing is key.
“We don’t want to want for anything when we’re out there,” he said.
The Reds take extra of every piece of equipment. Once in Arizona, unloading the truck will only take about another hour.
The first full-squad workout for the Reds is Feb. 18. The first spring training game is Feb. 23 against the Cleveland Indians. Click here for the full preseason schedule.
