WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Nationals don’t play their first Grapefruit League game until Feb. 21. But on Friday afternoon, they were already taking live batting practice in the stadium of CACTI Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.
This Spring Training, the stadium is now fully equipped to provide data via Hawk-Eye, which MLB and its teams use to power Statcast and the new ABS system, in addition to other systems used by the club, such as Trackman. This availability of data and analytics sparked a change of scenery from the fields of the complex to a game environment.
“I would say that if we couldn’t get any of the information, we probably wouldn’t do it,” said first-year manager Blake Butera. “But the fact that we had the information and it’s an opportunity to get in the stadium, both of those tie in together.
“This early in Spring Training, the information’s probably more important just to make sure our guys are in a good spot, so we don’t want to sacrifice that by any means. But the fact that we have both, it’s a no-brainer. Any time they let us out there, we’ll be out there.”
The Nationals’ goal is to get as many players on the field as the schedule allows, which also is contingent upon availability given that they share a stadium with the Astros. Butera stood at home plate and watched closely alongside bench coach Michael Johns and other members of his staff.
The first two players in the stadium on Friday were Brad Lord throwing to Drew Millas, followed by Tyler Baum throwing to Harry Ford.
“Just being in the stadium and, honestly, just seeing hitters for the first time in front of all the new coaching staff, the adrenaline gets going,” said Lord.
The players were so hyped up to be in a ballpark environment, the fact the stadium is not yet open to fans did not faze them. They fed off the energy and excitement of being in the game setting.
“It was nice just hearing the sound of the bat to see if you really got it or not,” said Daylen Lile. “... [It is] very helpful just to see the flight of the ball and see how it's going to be like in-game whenever there's a crowd and defenders. So it was very beneficial.”
Throughout the field, the Nationals' staff observed pitchers on the mound, position players in the batter’s box and doing base-running drills at first base and catchers working on stances and receiving techniques.
“Being a hitter, I think when I’m standing behind home plate, sometimes my eyes automatically go to the pitcher, like I’m in the batter’s box,” said Butera. “Usually, I’m keeping an eye on everything.”
In addition to those aforementioned, players who participated in stadium work on Friday included infielders Brady House, José Tena, Matt Mervis, Warming Bernabel, Cayden Wallace, Abimelec Ortiz (Nats’ No. 24 prospect in 2025) and Yohandy Morales (No. 26); outfielders Dylan Crews and Robert Hassell III; and catcher Riley Adams.
“I think any time you can get down there on the field and up close to it -- I guess you could call it that -- the better,” said Butera. “Honestly, I just have fun talking smack to all the guys and creating that competitive environment where we could have some fun with each other.”
The Nationals hope the on-field experience and information gained working in the stadium will help them when they begin Spring Training competition with split-squad games against the Cardinals and Astros next weekend.
“The more games that you can get in a stadium and the more times you can face batters,” said Lord, “you’re going to be more prepared and ready for when other teams come in and we play them.”