Mar 24, 2017

Photos and text by Karl Merton Ferron

: The midday sun pours light over the Baltimore Orioles squad who gather in a flurry of activity at field number one to participate in fielding drills during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles players (from left) catchers Yermin Mercedes (75), Francisco Pena, and Welington Castillo stretch while standing in line during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Tillman stops as he exits to autograph memorabilia for fans, concerned about his health during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles’ Adam Jones grimaces among the gravel, sliding safely under the tag of Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Phil Gosselin during the Orioles’ inaugural spring training home opener at Ed Smith Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Chrissy O’Connell of St. Petersburg dances with the Oriole Bird during the seventh inning stretch at the Orioles’ inaugural spring training home opener at Ed Smith Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles outfielder Chad Gentry (14) hustles on the warning track to catch a foul ball before tumbling over the short right field fence during the team’s first intrasquad game at Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles outfielder Chad Gentry (14) hustles on the warning track to catch a foul ball before tumbling over the short right field fence during the team’s first intrasquad game at Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles outfielder Chad Gentry (14) hustles on the warning track to catch a foul ball before tumbling over the short right field fence during the team’s first intrasquad game at Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: In his first day at the complex since being acquired from the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Richard Bleier runs behind a pool of standing water on a rain-filled morning that shortened camp for the day, during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: In his first day at the complex since being acquired from the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Richard Bleier runs behind a pool of standing water on a rain-filled morning that shortened camp for the day, during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Fans stand with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles during the National Anthem at the Orioles’ inaugural spring training home opener at Ed Smith Stadium. Baltimore bounced back to beat Pittsburgh, 8-3. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles catcher Welington Castillo rounds third with a double against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the Orioles’ inaugural spring training home opener at Ed Smith Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles right fielder Aneury Tavarez stands in the on deck circle during a spring training matchup at Lecom Park, once known for decades as McKechnie Field. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado during a spring training matchup at Lecom Park, once known for decades as McKechnie Field. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Parker Bridwell allowed back-to-back home runs to the Pittsburgh Pirates during a spring training matchup at Lecom Park, once known for decades as McKechnie Field. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles right fielder Seth Smith ranges back in the second intersquad game of spring training at Ed Smith Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles right fielder Seth Smith reacts as the ball he fields pops out of his glove for a moment, while participating in fielding drills before the second intersquad game of spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph (left) and pitcher Tyler Wilson stand in the bullpen during the team’s first intersquad game at Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles’ Brady Anderson during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles’ Manny Machado (left, back) smiles while talking with Mark Trumbo as they and third baseman Ryan Flaherty (front right) get a ride from the batting cages to the practice fields with manager Buck Showalter during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles’ Manny Machado (left) smiles while talking with Mark Trumbo as they and third baseman Ryan Flaherty (front) get a ride from the batting cages to the practice fields with manager Buck Showalter during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (white cap) talks with Brady Anderson, Vice President of Baseball Operations during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (white cap) talks with Brady Anderson, Vice President of Baseball Operations during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (white cap) talks with Brady Anderson, Vice President of Baseball Operations during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: From left, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Joe Gunkel (left) sits outside the batting cage with catchers Chance Sisco, Jayson Aquino and pitcher Richard Rodrguez, waiting their turns to participate in bullpen sessions during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Coach Don Werner (90) watches Baltimore Orioles catchers participate in fielding drills during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles support staff Dave Anderson stands, watching the pitchers rush in front of him as they loosen for the day’s activities and drills during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: A glove is slung on a fungo bat held by Baltimore Orioles staff during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman fields during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Two children use bikes to elevate themselves above the outfield wall to watch the Baltimore Orioles participate in spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium baseball complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

While most consider baseball “entertainment,” dozens of men have been exercising, dieting and training daily for their profession, hoping to get their foot in the door to be part of the 40-man roster on the Baltimore Orioles. The locals lay claim to the same edict of Baltimoreans: if you don’t like the weather, wait fifteen minutes. But throughout much of spring training in Sarasota, the pleasant weather beckons Baltimore Orioles fans to migrate for several days of Bird-watching with drinks and hotdogs. The forty chosen athletes of 2017’s Orioles are scheduled to play the season opener, hosting the Toronto Blue Jays April 3.

The Boys of Spring

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