2048.03 - The Long Beach Independent - Spring Training Report #1

[Lane]

CLUBHOUSE FILLED TO BRIM
FIFTY-FOUR SURFERS REPORTING TO CAMP

February 26, 2048
Catalina Island, CA

The typically sleepy Airport in the Sky has been a flurry of activity this week as the Long Beach Surfers fly to the island for Spring Training 2048. Some younger players have chosen to take the ferry from Long Beach, while others were lucky enough to join Ken Walter on a chartered flight to the island.

"I wanted to treat some of the kids to the full big league experience, so I chartered a flight from Phoenix to the island last week. A lot of the guys who live in Long Beach just took the ferry, but I like to fly direct and offered to bring some of the young guys along with me. I figure I won't have many more opportunities to give back to guys before I retire, so I should take advantage now."

Del Willis, Robin Johnson, and Sam Rutgers were among the group of pitchers that joined Walter on the flight.

They arrived to a clubhouse that has swelled to host 54 players at present count, a number that includes all members of the 40-man roster and 14 non-roster invitees. Headlining the NRI list is top hitting prospects Steveland Morris and Suk-min Cho. Last season, his second as a professional, Morris climbed the ladder from Single-A Tombstone up to AAA Commerce. He hit just .241/.281/.312 but showed off his impressive speed, stealing 48 bases in just 93 games. He's a long shot to make the roster out of spring training but scouts are happy with his development so far, and he's been doing great work on his defense at second base. Cho, 24, is a bit older for a prospect, but has shown great improvement in the Surfers minor league system after stalling out in Charlotte. The left hander from Odessa, TX shows great power potential and could see time in Long Beach late in the upcoming season.

Joining the Spring rotation, in addition to Rutgers and Johnson, will be Manuel Dominguez. The man with the nastiest curveball that Long Beach has seen since Jimmy Greenwood was impressive in 13 innings pitched with the Surfers last season. He'll be working on his changeup this spring, in hopes that he can round out his repertoire and be a contributor in a BBA rotation.

Stick with The Independent over weeks leading up to Opening Day as we give you all the news you need to know about how the 2048 Long Beach Surfers roster will shape up as they embark on another championship season.

[Dington]

Hope Suk-min Cho arrived early to enjoy his buy one get one free birthday festivities on the island.

[Lane]

Hope Suk-min Cho arrived early to enjoy his buy one get one free birthday festivities on the island.

ha, nice catch, i missed that

[Jwalk100]

Wife saw the website for Catalina. Now she wants to go.

Thanks!

[Lane]

You're welcome! I'll buy you a drink when you come out here.

[CTBrewCrew]

…..trying to book now…

[Lane]

…..trying to book now…

Haha