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David S. Glasier has been covering the Lake County Captains since 2002, when ground was broken to build Classic Park in Eastlake. He'll keep you abreast of what's happening with the players and the fans as another season unfolds.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Another baseball season

        The winter that seemingly won't end is about to give way to another baseball season.
        It can't happen soon enough.
        This will be my 12th season covering the Captains and the first doing so under our new banner hashtag #baseball247.
        Here's a preview of what will happen this week.
        The Captains will break camp in Arizona after Saturday's final exhibition game. On Sunday, they'll fly to Cleveland and make the trip to Eastlake, arriving early in the evening.
         We'll introduce you to the roster that evening, as it's not hyperbole to warn that not even first-year manager Mark Budzinski and his staff won't be completely sure of their 25-man roster until they leave for the airport.
        Monday will be extremely busy. After settling into their apartments in the morning, players will come to Classic Park and move into their lockers in the home clubhouse. They'll have their first on-field workout followed by a photo-video session in the clubhouse.
        The schedule is less frantic on Tuesday. Arriving at the ballpark in the late morning, players will focus on a 5 p.m. exhibition game against the Class AA Akron RubberDucks. Weather permitting, the first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. The game is slated to last seven innings.
        Fans who take in Tuesday's game will be more familiar with the RubberDucks than the Captains. Probable starters for Akron will include former Captains Francisco Lindor, the highly-touted shortstop who played in Lake County in 2012 and is considered to be the top prospect in the Indians' minor-league system.
       Wednesday will bring another full-squad workout in the early evening.
       Thursday's early-evening workout will unfold simultaneously with The News-Herald's second annual "Captains Chat'' at Classic Park. Gates open at 5 p.m. The event begins at 6 p.m. Fans are invited to join us to watch the Captains' workout. Budzinski will atop by to speak with fans during the workout, as will several players and Captains radio announcer Craig Deas.
        The concession stand will be open during "Captains Chat'' and feature food and beverage items at discounted prices. Our first "Captains Chat'' last year went extraordinarily well and we anticipate more of the same this time around.
        To reserve your place at "Captains Chat,'' send an email to RSVP@captainsbaseball.com or call 440-975-8085.
        On Friday, the Captains open the 2014 season at home versus the Lansing (Mich.) Lugnuts. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
        To whet your appetite, here's a photo of the ballpark I took last Friday.
        David S. Glasier