Thursday, February 24, 2005
Ichiro on the Basepaths
If you haven't found Sportspot.net yet, head over there right now! Especially if you are tired of reading the fifth preview of Yuniesky Betancourt in the local media. The best Spring Training insight can be found from Grandpa Mariner who is reporting live from Arizona. Where else can you get gems like this...
If you want to see something utterly fascinating watch Ichiro get ready for the season. Watched him, by himself, going through baserunning drills. He was alone on a diamond after drills, running from first to second, first to third, second to third. But he wasn't just running. He would get into his position as if it were April and the Angels were on the field. He would look at the mound, take a lead, then go. Then back to first. Over and over. He would sprint halfway, hold up like he was watching a flyball on a hit and run, then start running again like it went over the head of the rightfielder. Once he even visualized being caught in a run down, back and forth he went, full speed. This went on for 40 minutes or so.
Watching him, you actually could start picturing the game situation. I even found myself saying outloud when he went through his run down situation, "Uh Oh, they got him picked off".
