Spring into action! Rays ready for Truck Day
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ST. PETERSBURG -- Shortly before 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday morning, the Rays' clubhouse staff began loading the two trucks for Spring Training. Yes, Rays fans, baseball season is here.
Chris Archer could be found among the handful of players working out at Tropicana Field, and the Rays ace allowed, "I'm definitely starting to get that itch. For the past couple of days I've been like, 'The offseason is over.'"
• Spring Training info
Two 26-foot trucks were loaded with the likes of 250 pairs of pants, 400 dozen baseballs, 20 dozen bats and even a barber chair. A lot of other items were shipped ahead of time.
Thursday, the trucks will depart for Port Charlotte, Fla., and the Charlotte Sports Complex, the spring home of the Rays.
Upon arrival, the staff will sort the collection of goods, ensuring that everything will be in order by the time the players arrive beginning the second week of February.
"We're going to go down a couple of days early to make sure we're ready, but every year it seems like the offseason is a little quicker," said Rays home clubhouse manager Ryan Denlinger. "Baseball season is here, rapidly."
Rays pitchers and catchers report to camp on Feb. 13. Their first workout will take place on Feb. 14. Position players report on Feb. 18, and the team's first full workout takes place on Feb. 19.
The Rays will begin their 2018 home Spring Training schedule with a split-squad game against the Pirates on Feb. 23 in a 1:05 p.m. ET contest at Charlotte Sports Park.
They will have 14 home dates. Highlighting the home schedule will be three dates against the Orioles, two against the Red Sox, two against the Blue Jays, and one against the Yankees.