BadDog

Hello all.
I attended the Angels game last night and moving forward, I will be a fan of the LA Angels. I love the game of baseball. I understand the game of baseball, but I've never had a favorite team to root for. As a California resident, I've been searching for a franchise to buy in to. I've been to the Coliseum, dump....and no one goes. SF Giants? Meh, there's a certain schtick with their fan base I couldn't get over. The Dodgers? I went to a game a month ago and it took me 50 minutes to leave.
Yesterday was my first time at Angel Stadium and though it wasn't a great crowd, I had a pretty good time. Seeing the Big A driving in was sweet; Spirit in the Sky during the starting lineups got me going; Loved the Calling All Angels video before the team took the field; Can't NOT like Mike Trout; Went up to the upper deck in the 5th inning and got a good look at the DLAnd fireworks; Affordable tickets and parking and also took me less than 5 minutes to leave the parking lot after the game.
That said, I hope you guys can accept me with open arms! haha. 
One note... I noticed lots of fans wearing the old Angels logo.... the "CA".. That logo looks great along with the mix of navy blue in the color scheme. I do like the Angels red, but that mix of Navy blue would be great... I do not own any Angels gear so I'm going to start looking. Ok I'm done. Go Halos.

Speaking of punk ass moves:
A ridiculously stacked girls softball team in All Stars last weekend. . .
These girls are all 12 years old but one team had at least 10 players that would absolutely pass for high school seniors or even college freshman.  From Bonita Valley.  Most areas have regular recreational softball and any real premium players move on the appropriate travel ball teams.  But Bonita Valley deliberately yanks back all their super premium very best travel ball players to play in the "Rec" All Star tournaments (again against all normal rec teams who do not have ANY premium travel ball players).
So this team is slaughtering everyone and they are up 13-0 in the second inning.  They have hit multiple over the fence homers and have hit rockets all over the field.
Our team plays infield corners deep to basically prevent injury to the girls since we already had our thirdbaseman have to leave the game getting drilled in the ankle with a line drive.
So what do they do up 13-0 with corners back in a disgusting mismatch?
Bunted for base hits twice.
Total Facking assholes.

I loved Wrigley.  Grew up watching only the Cubs on WGN or the Braves on TNT.  I went a few years back and it was HOT.  Sat in the left field bleacher seats and drank way too many frozen margaritas.  Roy Halladay was on the bump for the Phillies that day and was taken out early due to the 'heat'.  They should've taken me out for the 'heat' too.  It was all about the nostalgia for me.  I wasn't looking for all the amenities, just a day game in a historical stadium that I grew up watching Cubs baseball and listening to Harry Carey.  It was a bucket-list item for me.  Glad you hated it Nate!  haha.  

Here's a couple spring training pics of Maitan at 3rd, Soto at short, and Deveaux in center.  At second is Jackson, I believe.  And Jam with Cozart (maybe he shoulda stayed away as they are experiencing the same start).  I have a few more (like 1000) pictures.  Let me know if you want to see them.  I don't want to bog down this site with pictures that nobody wants to see.  Or, @Lou, is it too late.    

Here's a couple spring training pics of Maitan at 3rd, Soto at short, and Deveaux in center.  At second is Jackson, I believe.  And Jam with Cozart (maybe he shoulda stayed away as they are experiencing the same start).  I have a few more (like 1000) pictures.  Let me know if you want to see them.  I don't want to bog down this site with pictures that nobody wants to see.  Or, @Lou, is it too late.    

@BadDog
Maitan actually hasn't been soft since that first season with the Braves when he added like 30 pounds of fat.  Once he arrived with the Angels, he was more solid.  Not in impeccable shape this time last year, but decent enough.  He'd lost most of the fat he put on, but was still considerably heavier than when he was 16. 
This year in camp, it's been documented by a few different sources that Maitan is looking big, but in much of a muscular way.  He's a big, strong 19 year old playing in full season ball.  But personally, I'm not convinced his struggles at the plate were caused by the weight gain in the first place.  Part of it was, because obviously he needed to learn how to handle his different body type.  But I think most of it was actually just Maitan facing tougher competition.  Before these kids get signed, they work themselves to the bone year round for four years.  Their BP sessions are inevitably what most of the scouts attend, as well as the private workouts.  As long as these kids have the body type and are hitting the ball 400 feet at age 16, they're going to get signed.  Maitan had reached this level by 14 so obviously there was a lot of hype. 
But there's a big difference between doing it in BP and doing it in the game.  The Braves gave Maitan enough rope to hang himself with, so to speak.  His work ethic tanked because he'd never actually been challenged before and now he had all the money he could need.  And when it came time to play baseball, the guys that he was playing against were so much better than anything he'd ever experienced.  And that's why he failed.  Long swing, unprepared for advanced competition, different body type.
The Angels got him and as we've seen, they've gone about basically dismantling everything that screwed him up from his childhood and his time with the Braves.  Remaking his swing, putting him on a nutrition and workout regimen, changing his position.  I don't know if it will all work out, but he's in great shape, at least we can say that.  And his swing looks better than it did before.  Results?  We'll see. 

He is big but didn't look soft to me.  This one might show better?

Here's a couple spring training pics of Maitan at 3rd, Soto at short, and Deveaux in center.  At second is Jackson, I believe.  And Jam with Cozart (maybe he shoulda stayed away as they are experiencing the same start).  I have a few more (like 1000) pictures.  Let me know if you want to see them.  I don't want to bog down this site with pictures that nobody wants to see.  Or, @Lou, is it too late.    

Here's a couple spring training pics of Maitan at 3rd, Soto at short, and Deveaux in center.  At second is Jackson, I believe.  And Jam with Cozart (maybe he shoulda stayed away as they are experiencing the same start).  I have a few more (like 1000) pictures.  Let me know if you want to see them.  I don't want to bog down this site with pictures that nobody wants to see.  Or, @Lou, is it too late.    

Here's a couple spring training pics of Maitan at 3rd, Soto at short, and Deveaux in center.  At second is Jackson, I believe.  And Jam with Cozart (maybe he shoulda stayed away as they are experiencing the same start).  I have a few more (like 1000) pictures.  Let me know if you want to see them.  I don't want to bog down this site with pictures that nobody wants to see.  Or, @Lou, is it too late.    

Even before the toe injury, I was worried about JUp.  Knee tendinitis is no joke.  He had all off season to 'rest' it and comes into camp needing more rest.  How can a guy play every day after a couple weeks of resting his knee tendinitis?  @Dochalo maybe you can shed some light here but I have a bad feeling about this.  And now the toe?  Damn...

Even before the toe injury, I was worried about JUp.  Knee tendinitis is no joke.  He had all off season to 'rest' it and comes into camp needing more rest.  How can a guy play every day after a couple weeks of resting his knee tendinitis?  @Dochalo maybe you can shed some light here but I have a bad feeling about this.  And now the toe?  Damn...

This makes me so happy.  We actually pulled the trigger and went to spring training this year instead of talking about how we 'need to' due to the questions surrounding Trout.  I told my 11 year old son that we need to go now because the best player in baseball may not be an Angel much longer.  When the news broke about him signing the extension my son was pumped.  "So, we can go watch him in spring training for the next 12 years!".  I told him I was on board with that, haha.  Then my 15 year old daughter, who is not a baseball fan said, "So, we didn't need to go this year?  Nice..."  

Ok, first post.  I just returned from Tempe with my family.  Our first spring training experience.  Thanks to all the info on here, we had a great time.  We spent Friday at the minor league fields and were fortunate enough to watch Skaggs pitch and Cozart & Upton hit.  It was a great atmosphere to watch them all up close and personal.  They all stayed after and signed multiple items.  Awesome.  My 11 y.o. son LOVED it.  I had printed off this list  so I could try to identify as many as I could.  It did help that over their lunch break I took pictures of the lineups hanging in the dugouts, haha.  I'm sure we missed/didn't recognize many of them but we did get autographs from Marsh (was awesome), Thaiss (at the big league camp, he was reluctant to sign - after three times he finally signed for my son.  I pumped him up and thanked him and then he was cool), Buttrey (super great), Jackson, Sandoval (was also pitching, watched him warm-up in the pen, and he was great after the game), Maitan (talked to him, shook his hand, was great with my son, he's a big dude!), Deveaux (funny, I asked him a question while he was signing and he stopped, looked at me, then started laughing saying he forgot how to spell his name), Soto (he's tiny), and Rojas. 
My son didn't really know these guys, but I geeked out pretty hard.  Being from MT, we don't get to see much of any pro sports so this was amazing.  We stood in line as players walked to and from practice before heading down to the minor league fields (Friday's game was sold out).  Met some Angelswin dudes (Hey Ryan!).  Many of the guys stopped to sign but the 'stars' took a cart and didn't 'walk the line'.  Bummer.  Ohtani walked by both times but didn't stop and sign.  Just smiled and waved.  Got some pretty up close pictures though.  Again, my son loved it.  I know what we all think of Cam B. as a player but, he was the best with my son.  Stopped - signed - talked to him - and came back to take pictures.  Just all-around great!  I wish him the best.  Bour is a GIANT of a man - super cool dude, too.  Hope he mashes. 
Kole stood right beside my son to talk to family during Thursday's hitting practice in the stadium.  Got some pics - but as he was leaving he wouldn't even look at my son and didn't sign for him.  He was the only one there too.  Kinda bummed out by that.  Never was in the right spot to get MR. ANGEL's autograph.  I didn't see Albert sign for anyone.  Never got close to Simba either.  
We ended up getting 3 baseballs, too.  One on Wednesday night, I caught a foul ball down the right field line.  I recorded the game on MLB and watched when we got home and we made the TV.  haha.  One at the minor league fields, a player threw it to my son.  And one on Saturday afternoon game, Perez threw it in the stands and it bounced of my hand into my wife's lap.  She wasn't even paying attention but was pretty excited when she got it.
All-in-all, it was a GREAT experience.  I thank the people on here that give great details on how to enjoy spring training.  I give a shout out to @Jeff Fletcher for his insight as well as tweeting about Skaggs, Cozart, and Upton being on the minor league fields.  Thanks @angelswin.com for being my go to place for #Angels info.  Just so you know, I have been lurking on this site since its inception.  I was on the other boards looking for Angels info when the migration happened.  I just followed it over.  I feel like I 'know' most of you.  I don't post because I don't have much to offer.  I just love reading what everyone thinks, the analytics are top notch, and the bantering makes me laugh.  Stradling may remember that I bought game tickets from him on the ticket exchange about 10 years ago to attend Angels v Yankees series for my 10 year anniversary.  
Anyway, long post but I thought I actually had something to share.  Love the Angels, love this site.  

This makes me so happy.  We actually pulled the trigger and went to spring training this year instead of talking about how we 'need to' due to the questions surrounding Trout.  I told my 11 year old son that we need to go now because the best player in baseball may not be an Angel much longer.  When the news broke about him signing the extension my son was pumped.  "So, we can go watch him in spring training for the next 12 years!".  I told him I was on board with that, haha.  Then my 15 year old daughter, who is not a baseball fan said, "So, we didn't need to go this year?  Nice..."  

This makes me so happy.  We actually pulled the trigger and went to spring training this year instead of talking about how we 'need to' due to the questions surrounding Trout.  I told my 11 year old son that we need to go now because the best player in baseball may not be an Angel much longer.  When the news broke about him signing the extension my son was pumped.  "So, we can go watch him in spring training for the next 12 years!".  I told him I was on board with that, haha.  Then my 15 year old daughter, who is not a baseball fan said, "So, we didn't need to go this year?  Nice..."  

This makes me so happy.  We actually pulled the trigger and went to spring training this year instead of talking about how we 'need to' due to the questions surrounding Trout.  I told my 11 year old son that we need to go now because the best player in baseball may not be an Angel much longer.  When the news broke about him signing the extension my son was pumped.  "So, we can go watch him in spring training for the next 12 years!".  I told him I was on board with that, haha.  Then my 15 year old daughter, who is not a baseball fan said, "So, we didn't need to go this year?  Nice..."  

Thanks @Lou  I wasn't expecting much from Cam but he stopped and looked over the flag my son was having everyone sign.  Gave him a fist bump and walked over to sign for others.  They asked to take a pic with him and my son says he wants a picture with him.  I told him we missed our chance.  Next thing I know, Cam is standing there ready to take the picture.  We held up the flag and took some pics.  I'll upload them when I get them off the camera.  It was surprising and cool.  BTW, I always look forward to reading your comments.  
@mtangelsfan  C'mon man!  I know the snow has you down but it's spring and baseball is just around the corner.  MT is a big state but not many people, we probably know each other.  haha.  Plus, I'm in the Bakken too.  Might have to meet up and watch the Angels and throw back some beers.  What do you say?  

Thanks @Lou  I wasn't expecting much from Cam but he stopped and looked over the flag my son was having everyone sign.  Gave him a fist bump and walked over to sign for others.  They asked to take a pic with him and my son says he wants a picture with him.  I told him we missed our chance.  Next thing I know, Cam is standing there ready to take the picture.  We held up the flag and took some pics.  I'll upload them when I get them off the camera.  It was surprising and cool.  BTW, I always look forward to reading your comments.  
@mtangelsfan  C'mon man!  I know the snow has you down but it's spring and baseball is just around the corner.  MT is a big state but not many people, we probably know each other.  haha.  Plus, I'm in the Bakken too.  Might have to meet up and watch the Angels and throw back some beers.  What do you say?  

any month between January and December would be my guess w 

They are all pretty good.  Summer and the four weeks around Christmas are still the busiest but we’re never really slow anymore. 

Thanks @Lou  I wasn't expecting much from Cam but he stopped and looked over the flag my son was having everyone sign.  Gave him a fist bump and walked over to sign for others.  They asked to take a pic with him and my son says he wants a picture with him.  I told him we missed our chance.  Next thing I know, Cam is standing there ready to take the picture.  We held up the flag and took some pics.  I'll upload them when I get them off the camera.  It was surprising and cool.  BTW, I always look forward to reading your comments.  
@mtangelsfan  C'mon man!  I know the snow has you down but it's spring and baseball is just around the corner.  MT is a big state but not many people, we probably know each other.  haha.  Plus, I'm in the Bakken too.  Might have to meet up and watch the Angels and throw back some beers.  What do you say?  

Ok, first post.  I just returned from Tempe with my family.  Our first spring training experience.  Thanks to all the info on here, we had a great time.  We spent Friday at the minor league fields and were fortunate enough to watch Skaggs pitch and Cozart & Upton hit.  It was a great atmosphere to watch them all up close and personal.  They all stayed after and signed multiple items.  Awesome.  My 11 y.o. son LOVED it.  I had printed off this list  so I could try to identify as many as I could.  It did help that over their lunch break I took pictures of the lineups hanging in the dugouts, haha.  I'm sure we missed/didn't recognize many of them but we did get autographs from Marsh (was awesome), Thaiss (at the big league camp, he was reluctant to sign - after three times he finally signed for my son.  I pumped him up and thanked him and then he was cool), Buttrey (super great), Jackson, Sandoval (was also pitching, watched him warm-up in the pen, and he was great after the game), Maitan (talked to him, shook his hand, was great with my son, he's a big dude!), Deveaux (funny, I asked him a question while he was signing and he stopped, looked at me, then started laughing saying he forgot how to spell his name), Soto (he's tiny), and Rojas. 
My son didn't really know these guys, but I geeked out pretty hard.  Being from MT, we don't get to see much of any pro sports so this was amazing.  We stood in line as players walked to and from practice before heading down to the minor league fields (Friday's game was sold out).  Met some Angelswin dudes (Hey Ryan!).  Many of the guys stopped to sign but the 'stars' took a cart and didn't 'walk the line'.  Bummer.  Ohtani walked by both times but didn't stop and sign.  Just smiled and waved.  Got some pretty up close pictures though.  Again, my son loved it.  I know what we all think of Cam B. as a player but, he was the best with my son.  Stopped - signed - talked to him - and came back to take pictures.  Just all-around great!  I wish him the best.  Bour is a GIANT of a man - super cool dude, too.  Hope he mashes. 
Kole stood right beside my son to talk to family during Thursday's hitting practice in the stadium.  Got some pics - but as he was leaving he wouldn't even look at my son and didn't sign for him.  He was the only one there too.  Kinda bummed out by that.  Never was in the right spot to get MR. ANGEL's autograph.  I didn't see Albert sign for anyone.  Never got close to Simba either.  
We ended up getting 3 baseballs, too.  One on Wednesday night, I caught a foul ball down the right field line.  I recorded the game on MLB and watched when we got home and we made the TV.  haha.  One at the minor league fields, a player threw it to my son.  And one on Saturday afternoon game, Perez threw it in the stands and it bounced of my hand into my wife's lap.  She wasn't even paying attention but was pretty excited when she got it.
All-in-all, it was a GREAT experience.  I thank the people on here that give great details on how to enjoy spring training.  I give a shout out to @Jeff Fletcher for his insight as well as tweeting about Skaggs, Cozart, and Upton being on the minor league fields.  Thanks @angelswin.com for being my go to place for #Angels info.  Just so you know, I have been lurking on this site since its inception.  I was on the other boards looking for Angels info when the migration happened.  I just followed it over.  I feel like I 'know' most of you.  I don't post because I don't have much to offer.  I just love reading what everyone thinks, the analytics are top notch, and the bantering makes me laugh.  Stradling may remember that I bought game tickets from him on the ticket exchange about 10 years ago to attend Angels v Yankees series for my 10 year anniversary.  
Anyway, long post but I thought I actually had something to share.  Love the Angels, love this site.  

Ok, first post.  I just returned from Tempe with my family.  Our first spring training experience.  Thanks to all the info on here, we had a great time.  We spent Friday at the minor league fields and were fortunate enough to watch Skaggs pitch and Cozart & Upton hit.  It was a great atmosphere to watch them all up close and personal.  They all stayed after and signed multiple items.  Awesome.  My 11 y.o. son LOVED it.  I had printed off this list  so I could try to identify as many as I could.  It did help that over their lunch break I took pictures of the lineups hanging in the dugouts, haha.  I'm sure we missed/didn't recognize many of them but we did get autographs from Marsh (was awesome), Thaiss (at the big league camp, he was reluctant to sign - after three times he finally signed for my son.  I pumped him up and thanked him and then he was cool), Buttrey (super great), Jackson, Sandoval (was also pitching, watched him warm-up in the pen, and he was great after the game), Maitan (talked to him, shook his hand, was great with my son, he's a big dude!), Deveaux (funny, I asked him a question while he was signing and he stopped, looked at me, then started laughing saying he forgot how to spell his name), Soto (he's tiny), and Rojas. 
My son didn't really know these guys, but I geeked out pretty hard.  Being from MT, we don't get to see much of any pro sports so this was amazing.  We stood in line as players walked to and from practice before heading down to the minor league fields (Friday's game was sold out).  Met some Angelswin dudes (Hey Ryan!).  Many of the guys stopped to sign but the 'stars' took a cart and didn't 'walk the line'.  Bummer.  Ohtani walked by both times but didn't stop and sign.  Just smiled and waved.  Got some pretty up close pictures though.  Again, my son loved it.  I know what we all think of Cam B. as a player but, he was the best with my son.  Stopped - signed - talked to him - and came back to take pictures.  Just all-around great!  I wish him the best.  Bour is a GIANT of a man - super cool dude, too.  Hope he mashes. 
Kole stood right beside my son to talk to family during Thursday's hitting practice in the stadium.  Got some pics - but as he was leaving he wouldn't even look at my son and didn't sign for him.  He was the only one there too.  Kinda bummed out by that.  Never was in the right spot to get MR. ANGEL's autograph.  I didn't see Albert sign for anyone.  Never got close to Simba either.  
We ended up getting 3 baseballs, too.  One on Wednesday night, I caught a foul ball down the right field line.  I recorded the game on MLB and watched when we got home and we made the TV.  haha.  One at the minor league fields, a player threw it to my son.  And one on Saturday afternoon game, Perez threw it in the stands and it bounced of my hand into my wife's lap.  She wasn't even paying attention but was pretty excited when she got it.
All-in-all, it was a GREAT experience.  I thank the people on here that give great details on how to enjoy spring training.  I give a shout out to @Jeff Fletcher for his insight as well as tweeting about Skaggs, Cozart, and Upton being on the minor league fields.  Thanks @angelswin.com for being my go to place for #Angels info.  Just so you know, I have been lurking on this site since its inception.  I was on the other boards looking for Angels info when the migration happened.  I just followed it over.  I feel like I 'know' most of you.  I don't post because I don't have much to offer.  I just love reading what everyone thinks, the analytics are top notch, and the bantering makes me laugh.  Stradling may remember that I bought game tickets from him on the ticket exchange about 10 years ago to attend Angels v Yankees series for my 10 year anniversary.  
Anyway, long post but I thought I actually had something to share.  Love the Angels, love this site.