It's been cold here for weeks, some 15 degrees below average consistently, but I'll take it over Balmur right now anyday! Traveled to Port Charlotte yesterday Schmuckster and you do your readers a disservice by mentioning their new digs yesterday then not following up how nice it is of a remodel. $8 for a "berm" ticket, which gets you a patch of grass on either outfield sideline, table and chairs in the outfield, a stop at the Center Field Tiki Bar and access to the whole stadium. The O's should take note for their upgrades. Currently, their prices are higher for everything from tickets to concessions to parking while offering an inferior product; Sound familar? On the field, Rhyne Hughes and Josh Bell came back to earth moving only air w their prodigous swings, Brian Matusz reached his pitch limit almost in one abat v Evan Longoria while looking sharp (struck out the opening side), and Pie did not dissappoint before pulling up lame. Something has me feeling leftfield is going to be quite a revolving door, this year, and maybe beyond w the like of Montanez knocking soundly, amongst others. Off to Wally World to get a deal on thermals for tonight's chiller.

Sizemo, I really don't see Monty being much of a factor. If Reimold is not able to play in LF due to his surgery, then he DHs, which means Scott is pretty much the everyday LF.

As we saw last year, Pie is much more comfortable in CF and that really only happened because Jones got hurt. If Jones stays healthy, which is everyone's wish, and Reimold DHs or plays LF, where does that leave Pie, much less Montanez? The Orioles have five OFs to play three positions and DH.

Now, if as everyone seems to think is a possibility, Reimold has to move to first because Atkins is ineffective, well, that opens a spot. But my guess is, if Atkins doesn't hit and Snyder is hitting at Norfolk, then Brandon gets the first chance at 1B. But the hope is, of course, that Atkins will hit. But the Orioles have also said that they will not give Reimold OTJ training at 1B during the season. Plus, there's the spectre of Ty Wigginton hovering over everything, where does he get ABs? If they want to trade him, they need to show he can still hit, otherwise, they won't get anything for him.

Adding Montanez to the mix only confuses things more. If they indeed carry 12 pitchers, that leaves four bench players, one is a backup C, the other a back up MIF(Andino) and a backup 1B/3B(Wigginton or Aubrey) and a back up OF(Pie).

Nice problem to have, for a change, decent players, not superstars, mind you, but better than what's been there before.

Also, size, a question about your post, when you get back from Wally World.

You wrote:
"Traveled to Port Charlotte yesterday Schmuckster and you do your readers a disservice by mentioning their new digs yesterday then not following up how nice it is of a remodel. $8 for a "berm" ticket, which gets you a patch of grass on either outfield sideline, table and chairs in the outfield, a stop at the Center Field Tiki Bar and access to the whole stadium. The O's should take note for their upgrades. Currently, their prices are higher for everything from tickets to concessions to parking while offering an inferior product; Sound familar?"

When you say upgrades, are you referring to the ones at Ed Stadium? And who is offering higher prices for everything while putting out an inferior product? The Orioles at OPACY? Port Charlotte? Sarasota?

Just want to make sure I understand what you were saying.

Gracias.

It's too bad that Angelos is such a cheapskate that MASN is only televising four Orioles Spring Traning games. The Nats only get four. He could carry an additional four games for about the cost of a couple of asbestos related depositions.

Ken, my birdland friend, I'm not sure how much baseball you get to see but my perspective comes from being down here watching every BP possible and from accounting for Montanez's Triple Crown at Triple A last year, combined w his age, 27. A triple crown at any level is beyond impressive and judging by the way he has conducted himself here, the dude is a professional hitter. Remember, Reimold leapfrogged him last year w an amazing spring performance. Given such, he looks very motivated ie dialed in; thus my assumption (purely thus) is that if Reimold suffers a setback physically, or Pie for that matter, Monty may just force his way onto the squad just as Reimold did last year. That's all I'm saying boss. Monty looks good, real good. Moreover, read the inference in original post again, but here's some more insight. the O's just took over a facility that is way better than Ft Laudy but still in need of a major overhaul (hence why Cinnci left) and they should do something like the Rays did in Port Charlotte, which is a really sweet upgrade while still making a visit there affordable. It's common knowledge that the O's have milked their fanbase at OPACY, raising prices this year after winning only 67 games is quite a slap in the face, and what have they done here in Sarasota, in their first year, moving into old digs? Raised the prices across the board. Parking for instance costs as much as a general admission ticket. It's the Oriole way under the Angelos regime. Why do you think the team moved to Yankee, Sawks, Rays country over here in the Tampa Bay Area? Ans: so they can get the revenues from sold out games vs the Yanees, Sawks, and Rays. Can't blame them for wanting to turn a profit but as the Smuckster here has already highlighted, it may over time be to the detriment of the regular season product wherby all these extra matchups will most certainly breed better familiarity, which benefits the better team, no? Are you with me Ken?

I don't understand the "only 4 ST Games on MASN" outcry... It's spring training?!?? Who cares??? They happen in the middle of the day when people are working. Nobody will watch. Why waste production costs?

I barely watch the Raven's preseason games and try to unload my tickets any chance I get...

It's all about exposure, SHAMROCK, to market the young players and build fan interest for the upcoming season. Many people are able to watch during the day, especially retirees, or people who happen to be off. I would take off just to see Bell, Hughes, Snyder and some of the other players who will not be with the team when they come North

I'll bet Pete agrees with me, don't you Pete?

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Pete's reply: Yes, I do. When you have your own network, I think it's probably a good idea to flaunt it, even if a handful of games are loss leaders.

Sizemo,
Not that I don't hate you for being there, and I'm here, but it was 51 in nasty ole Balmur yesterday. Enjoy that hot chocolate at the game tonight.

"And you don't want us EXPOSING OURSELVES" -Dr. Peter Venkman

Exposure smexposure... They market the crap out of the young players. Old people don't spend money, what ads will they run during the day, Geratol and Gauranteed Life from Colonial Penn? Nobody really cares except for the complainers who use this as additional ammo against PA/AM/the inanimate Warehouse.

but ok Gil... bipartisan agreement time. Play the weekend and night games on TV, the gets it up to 8-10. Fair enough? If they put a few weekend games on, I'll watch when I am farting around the house. But otherwise, I'll have every home game on during the season.

Now, sizemo, don't be funning with me. I'm not a complete idiot(maybe 75% but not total). There were just some things I didn't know which you so aptly explained to me.

For instance, though I lived in the metropolis known as Jacksonville for three years, I'm not an expert on Florida geography. It's hard enough for me to find it on a map.

So I didn't know that Sarasota was in "Yanks, Sawks and Rays country." Hence, more games against those division rivals. I understand what you are saying, I also understand the team's point of view. I didn't know which facilities in FLA have been renovated nor which have raised ticket prices or anything else. I didn't know that the Orioles raised prices in Sarasota.

I gave you your thrill for the day and let you use your vast knowledge of such things to edumacate me.

As for how much baseball I get to see, as a college umpire, I've already been on the field a few times. Frozen to death, but been out there. While you are basking in the sun, I'm getting hit with foul tips. Though the Florida high school season started at Christmas, the Maryland season doesn't get underway for another three weeks, though the schools are outside now. So yes, as much as it irritates me, I sometimes have to depend on you for info from ST.

As for Monty, yeah, he's a nice supplemental piece, but like you said, it seems there will only be room for him if someone gets hurt. Face it, Reimold was always ahead of Monty because Nolan was a draft choice whom they wanted to see make good and Monty an unknown quantity. If Pie doesn't fall flat at the beginning last year, we might not have gotten to see Reimold. If all the guys come through the spring unscathed, it is a virtual certainty that Monty will begin in Norfolk.

With all the bleeping bullpen guys teams want to carry these days, I'm surprised no one has pushed for a 26 man roster.

And gil, I don't know if Pete agrees with you, but I do.

I agree,SHAMROCK, 8 or 10 games, however they time them would be great. I used to go to Fort Lauderdale every year for week and see what was going on first hand, but I couldn't make it this year.

Shamrock ill gladly take those tix if you wanna unload them

Schmucker, I hope you packed some long sleeve Tommy Bahamas!

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Pete's reply: No such luck. I usually pack a fleece and never take it out of the suitcase, so this year I wised up and didn't bring it.

How about a tape delay on spring training games? Or live AND re-broadcast?

What's MASN's competition? American Idol losing tattoo girl? House getting grumbly again? The Real Wives of Wherever They Are? The Skipjacks? The Bullets?

Heck, there are only 12 radio broadcasts for the preseason Orioles. Fred Manfra might actually take a breath.