Yankees Spring Training Schedule

The New York Yankees spring training schedule is normally run from the end of February to the last day of March. The schedule is a hard one and with a game every day it is gruelling work. It is though something that every professional baseball team will put their roster through.

The Yankees spring training schedule is designed to allow those pushing for places in the starting roster to place their claims, as well as providing established players much needed practice after the winter break. Spring training has always been held in warmer climates, although today it is limited to Arizona and Florida, as the states that play host to the squads.

The Yankees spring training schedule is based around Legends Field, now known as the George M. Steinbrenner Field, in Tampa, which is the home of the Yankees affiliate team, Tampa Yankees. From this ground the Yankees play their home games, and travel around the state for their away games. The George M. Steinbrenner Field is an ideal location for the Yankees spring training schedule and the field is an exact replicate of that situated at the Yankee Stadium. The climate is also ideal for warm weather training. The stadium is also easy to get to and easy to park at, and can comfortable seat 10,000 fans.

The 2008 Yankees spring training schedule started in mid-February when the pitchers were brought back from vacation to start practice. The rest of the team joined up the following week, when team practices commenced. Traditionally Yankees spring training schedules involve a mixture of games playing against college teams and other professional teams undertaking spring training in Florida, which creates the Grapefruit League.

2008 was no exception to this tradition, and the Yankees spring training schedule saw the first game against the University of South Florida and Virginia Tech, and then a further 29 games against other professional teams. This schedule also included a split squad game where two teams were fielded on the same day against the Devil Rays and Tigers. There were though no B Games or games between the squad that thee public could pay to watch.

The New York Yankees spring training schedule is a vital element of the preparation for a long major league baseball team, and without it the team would likely spend many important games trying to get physically and mentally fit in an attempt to win another title.

Robert Grazian is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about Yankees spring training schedule visit Spring Training Tickets Online for current articles and discussions.

Odds on Cubs to Win Series

Now is the time for all good Chicago Cubs fans to purchase their 2007 World Series futures, before numbers plummet as they always and quickly do.

Actually, the same advice could apply to backers of many Major League Baseball teams, though odds on some inevitably will rise rather than drop.

It's just that long-suffering Cubs boosters are, like their beloved, retired Hall of Fame shortstop Ernie Banks, eternal optimists.

When futures are posted, Cubs fans usually are first in line at the betting windows and their numbers are legion.

The Las Vegas Hilton on Tuesday set futures for next year's Fall Classic, even before the National League rep in this year's World Series has been determined, and the Cubs opened at 30/1.

Had an annoucement not been made early in the week that Lou Piniella was replacing Dusty Baker as manager, they would have gone up at 40/1.

Either way, noted SuperBook oddsmaker and supervisor Jeff Sherman, "They'll (odds) go down like they do every year."

So will numbers on the perennial favorite New York Yankees, who were ousted early in the 2006 playoffs and went up at 9/2.

"Right now," Sherman continued, "we're just trying to write (tickets) and offer fair value.

"The Yankees will have trouble until they get some pitching."

Somewhat surprisingly, St. Louis, which has reached the postseason for three straight years, was hung at 30/1.

"The Cardinals struggled at the end of the year," Sherman said.

"They have Albert Pujols, but not much else.

"Pitchingwise, they have (Chris) Carpenter, but the Cards have a lot to do to improve."

Perhaps.

But St. Louis, which lost the 2004 World Series to Boston in four straight, could earn another trip to the Fall Classic, this time to face Detroit, with a victory in New York on Wednesday.

The Cardinals defeated the New York Mets, who opened as a 7/1 co-second favorite to capture the 2007 World Series, 4-2 at home Tuesday night.

Two teams Sherman sounded high on were Minnesota and Florida.

"Going in, the Twins look good and they'll be tough IF they can keep (Johan) Santana and (Francisco) Liriano healthy," he said.

Minnesota, which opened 2007 at 7/1 along with the Mets, edged out the Tigers -- 8/1 to take it all next year -- for the AL Central Division title on the last day of the regular season, but were swept by Oakland in the divisional playoffs.

The Marlins were as high as 500/1 early in the 2006 campaign, but remained in the thick of the NL postseason chase into late September.

They're 50/1 at the Hilton to cop a 2007 world championship.

"Florida had a good year," Sherman observed.

"The Marlins are a young team with promise."

Pennant odds for next season will be posted after the 2006 NL pennant race is decided.

Lynda Collins is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of her articles at http://www.procappers.com/Lynda_Collins.htm

Yankee Stadium Almost Finished

Winter is almost here and the Yankees' stadium is almost completed. They will use their new home in a few months to host the Chicago Cubs for spring preseason games.

The newly built stadium north of 161st will open in March. The old stadium, located south of 161st will likely be demolished after the Yankees start the new season. By then, the team will turn over the stadium to the city. Then, it will be goodbye Yankee Stadium and all the wonderful, record-breaking memories that took place there.

The team should have access to the new facility by mid February. That will be plenty of time for the workers to get finished constructing it. The twelve weeks that are remaining will be enough time for final touches to be made. Everybody wants the opening of the new ballpark to be amazing and I am sure it will be. I can't wait to see the upgrades from the other stadium. I can't wait to see the new features of the ballpark. I can't wait to see the increased seating.

"That's the way it always is in these big projects," says Harry Olsen, the project manager from the site from the beginning. "You scramble right up to the end, but it gets done."

Yankee fans will get to see the Chicago Cubs in town on April 3rd and 4th for the first time in a few years. The Yankees home opener is versus the Indians a couple weeks later on April 16. I'm sure that game will be televised because there's no way the league could go without showing off the Yankee's new stadium to the world and there will be many people watching.

Plaques and monuments were taken away from the old Yankee Stadium. Those plaques and monuments are stored safely in a truck. They will be placed in the new stadium as soon as everything is finished.

Monument Park will be put behind but in the center of the fence in the outfield.

There are a few reasons why those treasures taken from the old Yankee Stadium will be the last to be moved into the new stadium. There are safety and security concerns. People have tried stealing treasures in the past.

Most of the blue seats have been put in. The construction effort seems to be on schedule and if there are no delays, then the grand opening should happen as scheduled. The construction was privately funded by George Steinbrenner, the Yankees chairman. The $1.3 billion stadium will be top-notch.

The first stadium only cost $2.5 million. This one costs $1.3 billion. That shows you how things have changed in the world of baseball.

There likely will be a sale of memorabilia and other objects like seats that remains from the old stadium. The toilets and fixtures may be used throughout the city in parks.

The new stadium is more spacious than the older one. You have a good view of the field from every concession stand, no matter which you are on.

The new stadium scoreboards will be hand-operated. Every one of the seats provides a good view of home plate. Many of the seats are closer to the field. The new stadium's dimensions are the same.

The concession stands are now in. In a few short months, the concession stands will be booming with business and the fans will be cheering in their new blue seats as the Yankees cheer their team on.

Writer and editor, Freddie Brister, is a former high school baseball coach of 25 years. His love of the game of baseball is reflected in his words and memories of growing up in the South and playing baseball in the back yard with his brother, cousins and neighborhood friends. His biggest thrill is watching former high school players he has coached play at the college level. His favorite pastime is watching college baseball on tv and attending the games in person every chance he gets. Freddie Brister is a huge fan of the MLB and the New York Yankees. Check out his New York Yankees Merchandise or his New York Yankees Christmas Ornaments.

Bad Calls at Wrigley Have Sent Astros Into Orbit!

The Houston Astros have taken the entire league by surprise as of late. The Astros are riding a 6-game-winning streak into Game 3 of a Four Game Series against the San Francisco Giants.

The Houston Astros have a 60-59 overall record; but, they currently find themselves 11.5 games back of the Chicago Cubs for the lead in the National League Central. Nonetheless, the Astros still believe that they have a shot at making the National League Playoffs. As a matter of fact, Astros players and fans would argue that the Houston Astros, not the Chicago Cubs, are the leading contender for the 2008 National League Pennat. Holy Cow!!!

Sound a bit far fetched? Well, I guess the casual observer would find the Astros' optimism on the 2008 season to borderline on delusional. But, everyone in the organization knows that the Astros have underachieved all season long. High expectations surrounded the club after the Astros opened May to win 11 out of 13 games, but disappointment followed shortly thereafter. Five game and eight game losing streaks were not uncommon in June; and, July was characterized by bad fielding, poor hitting, and atrocious pitching.

But everything seemed to change on Monday August 4th, 2008.

The Astros were leading 2-0 at Wrigley when a lightning storm caught players and fans by surprise in the top of the sixth. And in a game where the Cubs were heavily favored at home, there was a lot of action riding on the umpire's decision. You see, if a game is called after the fifth inning...then the current score is a final. So in order for the Cubs to win, the game had to go on.

And it did.

After the first delay in the sixth, the game was resumed by the umpires even though there was a tornado warning in the area. In the seventh inning, high winds and lightning surrounded Wrigley Field until the game was finally called off in the eighth when a bolt of lightning came within a few feet of striking players and fans who were still exposed to the weather after most people left the stadium to seek shelter and safety.

The Astros won the 1st game 2-0; but the Cubs came back to win the 2nd and 3rd games by a combined score of 22-11. According to Astros First Baseman Lance Berkman, the Astros should have swept the Cubs. And taking a look back at the events that unfolded, the Astros may have reason to believe that the "fix was in" at Wrigley Field.

Hard to imagine that baseball games would be fixed for the Cubs to win at home; but, stranger things have happened - ask Tim Donaghy.

Nonetheless, the series at Wrigley seemed to bring life back to the Astros. The Houston Astros followed two consecutive losses to the Cubs at Wrigley with 6 straight wins by a combined score of 47-19 including a 13-4 route over the Cincinnati Reds and a 12-4 route over the San Francisco Giants.

Tonight, the Astros have a great chance to build on their winning streak when Barry Zito (6-14 W-L, 5.55 ERA) takes the mound for the Giants. Zito's troubles on the mound in 2008 are well documented; and tonight, he'll have to pitch his best game of the year if he expects to keep the Astros off of the scoreboard.

They're ON FIRE!

For more articles from Kevin Luckerson and Free Sports Picks go to http://www.pointshavers.com

The History of Wrigley Field

In March 1914, construction began on what is now known as Wrigley Field. At a cost of $250,000, Wrigley Field remains one of the oldest parks in the history of baseball. Located in Chicago, this facility is home to the Chicago Cubs. In the beginning, 10 investors purchased the team. In later years, however, each owner sold their remaining shares to William Wrigley Jr., who was first known for Wrigley chewing gum. In 1926, the ballpark was renamed from Cubs Park to Wrigley Field in honor of it’s owner.

Many firsts were started at Wrigley Field, including permanent concession stands and permission for fans to keep foul balls that are hit into the stands. The bleachers and scoreboard were both constructed in 1937 and are still manually operated. Incidentally, the scoreboard has yet to be struck with a ball in play. Ironically enough, however, it was hit by a golf ball teed off by Sam Snead inside the stadium. Bill Veek, who built the bleachers and scoreboard, is also responsible for the landscaping throughout Wrigley Field.

In August 1988, the lights were lit for the first night game to be held at Wrigley Field. After more than 5,000 afternoon games, the Chicago Cubs were scheduled to meet under the lights for the first time on their home turf against Philadelphia. While the game was initially rained out, the New York Mets arrived the following night and were defeated as the Chicago Cubs were victorious in a 6-4 win.

Many of baseball's great historic moments occurred at Wrigley Field, including Ernie Banks batting his 500th homerun in 1970, Babe Ruth's "called shot" in the 1932 Game 3 of the World Series, Pete Rose tied Ty Cobb's record 4,191 hits in baseball history in 1985, Sammy Sosa's 60th homeruns in 1998, 1999 and 2001. In addition, fans witnessed Gabby Hartnett's famous "Homer in the Gloamin" against the Pirates' Mace Brown in 1938.

Wrigley Field, which is the last Federal League park in existence, also remains to be one of the most traditional venues in the sport of baseball. The majority of the facility has remained free of advertisements with only a few lingering throughout the park. Flags, located on the grounds of Wrigley Field, continue to remind fans whether or not the Chicago Cubs are winning or losing in the standings. Although it is the current home of the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field has hosted more professional football games than any other stadium in America. In 2005, Wrigley Field celebrated 92 seasons of hosting Major League Baseball and 90 years as home to the Chicago Cubs.

Collectors who wish to request an autograph from any one of the players on the Chicago Cubs roster should send their letter and a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) to:

Player’s Name

c/o Chicago Cubs

Wrigley Field

1060 West Addison St.

Chicago, IL 60613-4397

Fans requesting an autograph should limit their request to two items per letter. Popular items to have signed include photos, index or trading cards, baseballs, etc. Patience is key when requesting autographs through the mail, but the best time to reach an athlete is often during the off-season.

Read the latest Chicago Cubs news, Chicago White Sox news and all other baseball news on http://www.sportsnews24h.com/Baseball/

See Where Baseball History Lives at Wrigley Field in Chicago

The Chicago area is a wonderful tourist destination to visit any time of the year. With countless concerts and events, great places to say, and a wonderful smorgasbord of eating establishments, it should be on your list of "must see" destinations.

During the long baseball season, Chicago is a mecca for ball fans who can combine their love of sport with their vacation. The world famous Chicago Cub have their home at historical Wrigley Field, playing host to other professional ball teams, all season long.

Baseball fans are inevitably history fans, at least when it comes to the game of baseball, and Wrigley Field is steeped in moments that echo down through the years. Built way back in 1914, 2009 marks its 96th season showcasing Major League Baseball. Incredibly the Cubs have played there for 94 of the 96. Only Fenway Park, built in 1912 in Boston, can claim seniority.

What baseball fan hasn't heard of Babe Ruth's "called shot". The story goes that in the third game of the 1932 World Series, Ruth was up to bat and before the pitch he pointed to an area in the bleachers. The opposition's pitcher Charlie Root fired, and The Babe connected for a homer that landed in the area he had just pointed to. It's a legend that will live on forever.

Wrigley Field started out as Weeghman Park on land that once housed a seminary. Charles H. Weeghman acquired the land, investing a sum of $250,000, bringing in more than 4.000 yards of soil and planting four acres of bluegrass on the outfield. This ball diamond became home to the Federal League with Weeghman financing the startup baseball club, first known as the Federals and later as the Whales.

April 23, 1914 marked the very first major league game. The Federals beat Kansas City by a score of 9-1. Art Wilson, the Federals catcher, smashed a two run blast off Kansas City's Chief Johnson in the second inning, marking the park's very first home run.

After the 1915 season, the Federal League collapsed due to financial problems, and Weeghman bought a team called the Cubs and installed them at his two year old ballpark. With a little bear cub looking on, the Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 in a game that went 11 innings. This was the first National League game and it happened on April 20, 1916.

In 1920 Weeghman Park morphed into Cubs Park when the Wrigley family bought the team. The name Wrigley Field began in 1926 to honor the club's owner William Wrigley Jr., and has stuck ever since.

About ten years later, in 1937, a scoreboard and bleachers were built in the outfield because attendance was increasing. This scoreboard remains to this day with numbers that are changed by hand. Imagine the thrill of being the person posting those numbers to the assembled crowd.

Perhaps you have seen the magnificent wall of ivy at Wrigley Field. It is very distinctive and many folks have seen it on televised games. A gentleman by the name of Bill Veeck is responsible for that horticultural touch. He first strung bittersweet from the top to the bottom of the wall and then planted ivy plants all along the base. Now, seventy years later, the wall is simply blanketed in green.

It is hard to fathom this fact, but no batted ball has ever hit the scoreboard in center field. With the number of games that are played, and the skilled players who have hit many home runs, not one has connected with that scoreboard.

Two have come really close, however. Way back in 1948, Bill Nicholson hit a home run onto Sheffield Avenue, and then in 1959, Roberto Clemente smashed one onto Waveland Avenue. Could 2009 be the year someone makes contact with that fabled board?

Here is another charming tradition. If you drive past Wrigley Field and spot a white flag flying from the scoreboard masthead, with a blue letter "W", that indicates that the Cubs were victorious that day. If the flag is blue with a white "L" it means that the Cubbies were beaten. If it was a doubleheader with a split result, then both the flags are hoisted.

This summer or fall would be a great time to visit Chicago and soak up the sights and sounds of the city as well as see some great baseball. Be sure to get your Chicago Cubs tickets today.

SitClose.com provides Cubs fans with online Chicago Cubs tickets, entertainment packages, corporate events, and superb catering. Nick Messe is the founder and president of Lead Frog LLC which provides elite private business consulting services.