Winter Development Program

[TribeFan]

Hi,

I am new to the site and am very impressed. Just wondering if you know of who might be attending the Winter Development Program that takes place at Progressive Field next week and what types of activities take place?

[TonyIBI]

First off, welcome to the boards.

Names have not been released yet. But I do know Stiller, Wagner, Herrmann, and Huff will be there for sure. Some others I am forgetting....but should have the list a day or two before it starts.

As for what they do, the Winter Development Program is designed to bring in some of the Indians better prospects to give them additional instruction in Cleveland as well as introduce them to the Cleveland area, and bring in guest speakers for practical and inspirational addresses.

[MadThinker88]

To the new member:

Maybe I'm mixing up a few things, but don't they also do instructional work for Public Relation items (ie how to properly give an interview without looking like a jerk or tossing your coachs and teammates under the bus) and help for the foreign players with language lessons???

If not, I think the program should be expanded to include those topics.

[TonyIBI]

Language lessions occur in spring training and in-season:

http://www.indiansprospectinsider.com/2 ... ike-1.html

I had a unique opportunity this past week to speak with a former English instructor at the Indians spring training complex in Winter Haven. The Indians are one of the few teams in baseball that have an organized English program. Almost all of the Latin players come to spring training with a basic or beginner level of English, some are even better, and the average player who attends classes is very good at communicating in English. Many of the Latin players attend one of the Indians baseball academies in Venezuela or the Dominican Republic where they also have to attend English classes before coming stateside to spring training.

English classes start in spring training for any player that needs to learn the language and the classes continue throughout the year for those that remain in extended spring training. Classes are held three to four times a week and for two hours in the evening. Players take the classes seriously and the instructors keep them interesting by making them fun since players are attending these classes after playing baseball all day. Instructors know that the players would get bored easily if they were just presented with grammar rules or they made them listen and repeat. The main goal is for the players to be able to communicate and understand the other players and coaches on the team who speak English. In addition, the players also have seminars in cultural issues and how the United States government works, etc since the Indians want to develop the players as more well rounded people than just baseball players.

[Bsblsuperfans]

The Winter Development Program is a 4-day, full schedule career development program inclusive of classes and lectures. It is intended to help the rookie player maximize their chances for a long and sucessful Major League career. It includes several experts from various fields who will teach and speak to them about a major league career, learning English and our culture, how to work with the media, maintaining a healthy body, fiancial responsibility and planning, and making the transition into the Major League. Most of the participants are young, minor league players who will considerably benefit from this program both now and in the years to come. The club has definitely "tipped their hat" to these fine players and believe strongly in their future in professional baseball.

[TonyIBI]

So official roster yet, but here are some unofficial names who will be in the Winter Development Program:

Matt LaPorta
Beau Mills
David Huff
Michael Brantley
Adam Miller
Wes Hodges
Frank Herrmann
Josh Rodriguez
Hector Rondon
Carlos Santana
Erik Stiller
Neil Wagner
Luis Valbuena
Steven Wright

Those names are pretty much locks. Also likely that Gimenez, Toregas, and a few others round out the roster which typically is just 15-20 players.