In a recent study conducted for USA Today, ReviewTrackers (reviewtrackers.com), a data-mining firm in Chicago, found Ed Smith Stadium as the top venue among Major League Baseball Spring Training sites in both Florida and Arizona. The study analyzed the comments in 36,000 online reviews of the 23 stadiums used for Spring Training, tracking how fans felt about the facility itself, food and drink offerings, and the overall experience for fans and families. The findings are available online...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nothing much has changed for Craig Gentry since the Orioles signed veteran outfielder Colby Rasmus to a minor league deal this week and invited him to camp. Gentry is working under a similar contract and could be used in a platoon with Rasmus. The Orioles have been searching for plus defenders for the outfield who bat from the left side, capable of playing center to provide rest for Adam Jones, and Rasmus doesn't present a direct challenge to Gentry. What I'm saying here is...

Anyone who's been lucky enough to watch an Orioles game there understands that Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla., is a uniquely wonderful ballpark. It doesn't matter whether you're sunning yourself in the box seats, grabbing something to eat on the concourse or stationed in the left field picnic area awaiting a home run ball to fly your way. Ed Smith Stadium is gem, possessing a retro feel in its comfy configurations and delivering the intimate game-watching experience that fans...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Mike Wright, Chris Lee, Jeff Ferrell, Joely Rodríguez, Donnie Hart, Jimmy Yacabonis and Pedro Araujo are scheduled to pitch Friday afternoon in the exhibition opener against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Wright will work the first two innings if the Rays allow it. I've lost count of how many times someone has referenced a "big spring" for Wright, who's out of minor league options. "Sometimes, it works as a real positive," said manager Buck Showalter. "I've seen...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The final day of workouts of spring training featured the familiar (music on the field, pitchers throwing in the bullpen, hitters taking batting practice) and the unfamiliar (sliding practice, Bob Henley showing off his knowledge of old-school hip-hop). We'll get to that last eye-opener in a moment. With teams dealing with a compressed window for getting all workouts in before Friday's Grapefruit League opener against the Astros - the Nationals had only three...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Austin Hays led off today's intrasquad game with a triple and scored on Cedric Mullins' liner to right field to account for all of the scoring in the Black Team's 1-0 four-inning win over the Orange Team before a bunch of club officials, players and media. Hays, the organization's minor league Player of the Year, went 2-for-3 with a run scored. David Hess worked two innings and allowed one run and one hit, with one walk and three strikeouts. He threw 10 of 11 pitches for...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Though the exhibition season is about to get underway, there are still five weeks to go until opening day. So don't be surprised when you see the Nationals lineup for Friday's Grapefruit League opener against the Astros and don't find many prominent names. "We're trying to see all our young guys early," manager Davey Martinez said. "I wouldn't read into that stuff early. We want to give our guys a chance to see everybody, because there's so many young guys. ......

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are catching Caleb Joseph and Austin Wynns in today's intrasquad game and they're using Audry Perez and Chance Sisco as designated hitters. Andrew Susac will settle for being in the clubhouse instead of a hospital bed. Susac returned to the facility earlier this week after missing Sunday's workout and being treated for a staph infection. Today marked the first time that the media saw him at his locker. "Way better," he said. "Two days ago really was a big...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Colby Rasmus pulled back his long hair this morning, slipped a cap over it and declared that he's ready to play baseball again. The Orioles hung a No. 28 jersey in his locker. They're also putting a lot of trust in him. Seven months after he left the Rays and returned to his Alabama home to be with his wife and three children, Rasmus agreed to terms with the Orioles on a minor league contract and will compete for a spot in the outfield. He can platoon in right, he can back up...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles won't parade many of their regulars through today's intrasquad game at Ed Smith Stadium. Tim Beckham is leading off and playing third base for the Orange team. Caleb Joseph is batting second and catching. Austin Hays is leading off and playing right field for the Black team, followed by Ryan Mountcastle and Cedric Mullins. For the Orange team Tim Beckham 3B Caleb Joseph C Audry Perez DH Alex Presley LF Joey Rickard CF Garabez Rosa 1B Anthony Santander RF Luis...