In Photos: Long Beach Coast breeze through first spring training practice

On a cloudy Tuesday morning in mid-May, Long Beach’s only professional sports team, the Coast, opened its first-ever spring training. 

Thirty-four players were seen stretching, warming up and laughing with one another at 9 a.m. while the coaches were giving pointers and taking off the tarps on Joe Hicks Memorial Field at Long Beach City College. Just a few miles south, the Coast will play its first home game at Blair Field on June 2. 

This marked the first time media saw synergy between the players and coaches. Similarly, it’s the first time the coaches were able to see the players all together and begin preparing with the season opener one week away against the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds at Bryant Field. 

They started with the basics — fielding groundballs, practicing pick-offs, swinging in the batting cage, all while the pitchers warmed up. 

The loud, satisfying sounds of bats cracking and baseballs whooshing into gloves reverberated inside the stadium.

Following a brief team meeting to kick off spring training, the players didn’t waste any time getting to work. The field-side primarily focused on infield plays on different areas of the diamond for the majority of the practice. 

The groundball drills focused on the shortstop getting the ball to first base and having two teammates rush to the ball at the same time to communicate mid-play. 

The Coast coaches had multiple infielders practice double play scenarios with runners on first and second, helping each player improve their decision-making within seconds. 

After batting practice, where players each took turns using the batting cage in the bullpen and inside the diamond, the coaches gave a final speech to the players and the team packed up for the day. 

While the Coast are playing catch-up to more established teams in the Pioneer Baseball League, the attention to detail within those three hours Tuesday morning showed a glimpse of what this team can accomplish in its inaugural season.

The Long Beach Coast will open its spring training to fans on Saturday, May 16 at 2 p.m. at Joe Hicks Memorial Field (5018 E Lew Davis St.).

Long Beach Coast’s season will begin on May 19 at 6:35 p.m. on the road against the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds. Trademark Brewing will be hosting a watch party at 233 E. Anaheim St. The Coast’s first home game will take place on June 2 at 6:35 p.m. at Blair Field at 4700 Deukmejian Drive. Tickets are available online.