redsoxman
02-28-2004, 07:28 PM
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The cameras were out en masse behind the batting cage and several reporters filled the surrounding area. Off to the right was Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. Manager Terry Francona also stopped by to take a look.
What was this big event on an otherwise lazy and unseasonably cool Saturday morning in Florida? It was Curt Schilling throwing his first batch of live batting practice for the Red Sox.
Schilling threw 45 pitches, looking in complete control as he fired a barrage of nasty offerings to catcher Jason Varitek.
By the time Schilling takes his first major step for the Red Sox on April 6 against the Orioles at Camden Yards, this morning will be a blip on the radar screen.
But with the excitement level so high for the big right-hander's arrival, his every step, however slight, will be chronicled.
"If I had come on a bus to watch the team work out, that would be one of the things I would want to watch is him throwing," said Francona. "If you were over there (watching), he does it like a pro. He's not messing around. He has a purpose. He goes and does it. He's fun to watch. It's just nice to stand out there and watch a guy throw like that though, it makes you feel like a smarter manager."
And for the record, Schilling did not take it easy on Brian Daubach, Adam Hyzdu and Cesar Crespo, the three non-roster invites who were assigned to dig in against the five-time All-Star.
"He looked like he was game-ready," said Daubach. "He meant business out there for sure. He didn't want anyone to hit him and he threw great. He was locating his fastball really good and was throwing his other pitches for strikes too. I think he was just trying to get used to throwing to Jason (Varitek) a little bit too. That's probably why he was taking it a little bit more seriously too."
When it comes to throwing the baseball, Schilling is pretty much all business, whether it is February or October.
"Even today, batting practice, he's serious," said Sox pitching coach Dave Wallace. "It's not fun and games out there. He likes to get ready and prepare and that always makes you feel great."
For Schilling, this spring will be about gaining comfort with Varitek and getting to know the American League.
He started studying video of AL East opponents New York, Baltimore, Tampa Bay and Toronto as early as six weeks ago.
"It's a daily thing," Schilling said of his video study. "Anywhere from a half-hour to two, three, four hours a day depending on the schedule. Because I'm working from scratch here, whereas every spring in the National League I would start usually in the middle of camp, carrying my notes forward from the year before."
His relationship with Varitek -- who is as respected as any catcher in the game for the way he handles pitchers -- should grow by the day.
"He's got to teach me what he can and can't do right and I'm going to help him learn the league," said Varitek. "We'll make adjustments together. But if I don't know him, I'm going to be in trouble. I've got to learn him and he's got to teach me what he can do."
Schilling shared similar sentiments.
"I think my number one goal right now is for Jason and I to get comfortable, where we're able to communicate without talking when I'm on the mound," Schilling said. "He's starting to understand me and I'm starting to get a feel for him."
Schilling will make his first start of the exhibition season Friday night against Northeastern at City of Palms Park.
"To me, today was the next step," said Schilling. "Throwing some bullpens and working and then you start to go to batting practice and see hitters, there's a change in adrenaline there. The next one comes next Friday when I throw in a game, that will be another step for me."
Tidbits: Wallace said that Martinez might throw his first side session of the spring during Sunday's workout. ... Daubach's first Major League hit came off Schilling, back on Sept. 26, 1998. Daubach was with the Marlins at the time and Schilling was the ace of the Phillies. ... Closer Keith Foulke appears to be completely over the strained calf he suffered earlier in the week. "He threw off the mound and did very well," said Francona.
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs
What was this big event on an otherwise lazy and unseasonably cool Saturday morning in Florida? It was Curt Schilling throwing his first batch of live batting practice for the Red Sox.
Schilling threw 45 pitches, looking in complete control as he fired a barrage of nasty offerings to catcher Jason Varitek.
By the time Schilling takes his first major step for the Red Sox on April 6 against the Orioles at Camden Yards, this morning will be a blip on the radar screen.
But with the excitement level so high for the big right-hander's arrival, his every step, however slight, will be chronicled.
"If I had come on a bus to watch the team work out, that would be one of the things I would want to watch is him throwing," said Francona. "If you were over there (watching), he does it like a pro. He's not messing around. He has a purpose. He goes and does it. He's fun to watch. It's just nice to stand out there and watch a guy throw like that though, it makes you feel like a smarter manager."
And for the record, Schilling did not take it easy on Brian Daubach, Adam Hyzdu and Cesar Crespo, the three non-roster invites who were assigned to dig in against the five-time All-Star.
"He looked like he was game-ready," said Daubach. "He meant business out there for sure. He didn't want anyone to hit him and he threw great. He was locating his fastball really good and was throwing his other pitches for strikes too. I think he was just trying to get used to throwing to Jason (Varitek) a little bit too. That's probably why he was taking it a little bit more seriously too."
When it comes to throwing the baseball, Schilling is pretty much all business, whether it is February or October.
"Even today, batting practice, he's serious," said Sox pitching coach Dave Wallace. "It's not fun and games out there. He likes to get ready and prepare and that always makes you feel great."
For Schilling, this spring will be about gaining comfort with Varitek and getting to know the American League.
He started studying video of AL East opponents New York, Baltimore, Tampa Bay and Toronto as early as six weeks ago.
"It's a daily thing," Schilling said of his video study. "Anywhere from a half-hour to two, three, four hours a day depending on the schedule. Because I'm working from scratch here, whereas every spring in the National League I would start usually in the middle of camp, carrying my notes forward from the year before."
His relationship with Varitek -- who is as respected as any catcher in the game for the way he handles pitchers -- should grow by the day.
"He's got to teach me what he can and can't do right and I'm going to help him learn the league," said Varitek. "We'll make adjustments together. But if I don't know him, I'm going to be in trouble. I've got to learn him and he's got to teach me what he can do."
Schilling shared similar sentiments.
"I think my number one goal right now is for Jason and I to get comfortable, where we're able to communicate without talking when I'm on the mound," Schilling said. "He's starting to understand me and I'm starting to get a feel for him."
Schilling will make his first start of the exhibition season Friday night against Northeastern at City of Palms Park.
"To me, today was the next step," said Schilling. "Throwing some bullpens and working and then you start to go to batting practice and see hitters, there's a change in adrenaline there. The next one comes next Friday when I throw in a game, that will be another step for me."
Tidbits: Wallace said that Martinez might throw his first side session of the spring during Sunday's workout. ... Daubach's first Major League hit came off Schilling, back on Sept. 26, 1998. Daubach was with the Marlins at the time and Schilling was the ace of the Phillies. ... Closer Keith Foulke appears to be completely over the strained calf he suffered earlier in the week. "He threw off the mound and did very well," said Francona.
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs