Nationals load up truck for Spring Training

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals loaded the truck Friday and moved their baseball equipment from Nationals Park to Space Coast Stadium, their Spring Training facility in Viera, Fla.

The Kane Company/Office Movers Inc., the official moving company of the Nationals, moved 30,000 pounds of equipment for the 800-plus mile trip.

As part of the annual MLB tradition known as Truck Day, Nationals clubhouse manager Mike Wallace and his staff packed up and loaded a vast assortment of gear -- ranging from weight training equipment and medical supplies to player uniforms and apparel -- in preparation for the start of Spring Training. Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 13.

"[Friday] is the first day of the 2014 baseball season," said Wallace, who is in his 13th season as the team's clubhouse manager. "We're taking down all the items that a player would need to perform during Spring Training -- items from the weight room, the training room, the massage therapy room, the offices, laundry carts, baseball equipment -- anything and everything you can think of.

"It will take between 1-2 days to drive to Viera. The truck will leave here this weekend and arrive on Monday, when we'll start unloading everything and get ready for ST."