For the last week, 64 players have been executing three-hour pre-planned morning workout sessions with the precision of a symphony.
The composer and conductor of all this is not A's manager Bob Melvin, but his bench coach Ryan Christenson.
“I was amazed on the second day I had it planned to end at 11:20 am,” Christenson said. “And we finished literally at 11:19, so it was a good day.”
With spring training games starting Saturday, the clock has been ticking to get pitchers, fielders and hitters to a certain readiness. Meticulous planning and monitoring are scattered between four fields, an extended bullpen and additional batting cages.