Now that spring training is here, David M. Schwarz is getting to see his vision come to life. Schwarz is the design architect and master planner for the improvements and renovations to the Orioles' facilities in Sarasota, Fla., which include Ed Smith Stadium and the club's Twin Lakes minor league complex. "For us, it was extremely important to make something that felt quite at home in Sarasota," Schwarz said on a conference call with reporters on Tuesday. "Sarasota has a style that is...

SARASOTA, Fla. - New pitching coach Mark Connor interrupted Rick VandenHurk's bullpen session today and slid the rosin bag underneath the pitcher's right heel. I'll admit, that was a first for me. I hadn't seen a pitching coach use this technique, though it's probably been done. "Just putting myself in a better position," VandenHurk said. "I had a little too much weight on my heel instead of my front foot, so he put that there to get my weight a little bit more on my front foot so I...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Justin Duchscherer is probably ahead of most, if not all, of the pitchers in camp after throwing for scouts during the winter. He's definitely ahead of himself in previous springs. "Usually, I'd come to spring training having thrown maybe one or two bullpens to save my bullets, but this season was a little different," he said. "I had to get ready to show teams I was healthy." Duchscherer threw his first Sarasota bullpen session today, breaking out all four of his...

The next couple of weeks will be a dream come true for Bryce Harper. The No. 1 prospect catcher-turned-outfielder takes the next important step to realizing that dream of playing baseball in the major leagues. That next step begins in Viera, Fla. Similar to what he did last year at fall instructional league and in the Arizona Fall League, Harper will be learning from experienced coaches and players in the Washington system. But this month will be even better, because now he will be...

SARASOTA, Fla. - I'll file quotes later today, but I wanted to pass along a few nuggets from today's workout. First baseman Brandon Snyder reported to camp. Luis Lebron, who underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in May, threw off a mound for the first time today. Justin Duchscherer threw all four of his pitches among the 40 that were unleashed in his session. He was pleased with his breaking ball, which he explained had more movement because of the humidity. He's...

It was a cold and blustery morning in Harford County. Not a day exactly made for a ballgame, but that didn't stop hundreds from making their way to St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church in Jarrettsville to say goodbye to Ernie Tyler. The man, who was an Orioles employee since their first season in 1954 and umpires attendant since 1960, died at 86 on Thursday. The stories about Ernie and kind words from so many have been pouring in ever since and today was a time for a final goodbye. The...

It's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show week, so it's time to sink your teeth into a canine-themed Orioles trivia question. Can you name the ex-O's pitcher who has exhibited his prized pooches at the annual dog show at Madison Square Garden? Answer tomorrow. And perhaps a hint later today. And no, no truth to the rumor that "Who Let the Dogs Out?" - the anthem by The Baja Men that became the Ravens' rallying cry during their Super Bowl run a decade ago - is also the theme song of the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Infielder Brendan Harris and minor league outfielder Matt Angle are here today. Add them to the list of early arrivals, which also includes first baseman Joe Mahoney. Mahoney, the Orioles' minor league player of the year, had a long chat with Harris this morning. I assumed that they knew each other, though I couldn't figure out how, but they just met. Chris Tillman and Jake Arrieta will throw their first bullpen sessions today. Players will take the field around 10 a.m....

Call it the principle of displacement. If the Orioles put Vladimir Guerrero in the fourth spot in the batting order, doesn't that mean it will move others down in the order, displacing them? It should then help the order become stronger if someone who batted fourth can move down to fifth or sixth and so on and so on. One possible batting order for the Orioles is Brian Roberts leading off, followed by Nick Markakis, Derrek Lee, Guerrero, Luke Scott, Mark Reynolds, Adam Jones, Matt Wieters and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - I wanted to dump out the rest of my spring training bag for today. I'll also let you know that tomorrow's workout is slated to begin around 10 a.m., two hours earlier than today. The crowd was pretty small. I'd say it was a modest gathering. But word on the street is that parking was limited because of the construction vehicles. Try again tomorrow. As I mentioned earlier, Koji Uehara threw his fourth bullpen session this afternoon. Unlike the others, he did so under close...