Padres to hold fantasy camp
Five days of baseball with former Padres, including instruction and games and all the accompanying trash talk, is yours for the buying.
The Padres will hold their first fantasy camp in at least a couple decades Jan. 20-26 at the team’s spring training complex in Peoria, Ariz.
“The camaraderie, and the reliving and telling stories, being with all the guys,” said Randy Jones, the 1976 Cy Young Award winner who is organizing the camp. “Letting them get a real reflection of what it’s like to be a major league baseball player.”
That $4,500 price includes hotel accommodations for six nights, personalized home and away jerseys, two meals a day in the team cafeteria, an off-site dinner two nights and banquet on the final night, a locker in the clubhouse, gifts and aches and pains.
“They get a real dose of what it’s really like,” Jones said. “… If you’re coming, you should work out a little bit, get the arm in shape or you’re going to be in trouble.”
Other alumni who are confirmed include Trevor Hoffman, Andy Ashby, Steve Finley, Brian Giles, Brett Tomko, Mark Sweeney, Garry Templeton, Kevin Ward, Mark Loretta and Mark Grant.
The former players and members of the current minor league coaching staff will provide instruction. Games will be played over the final four days, complete with pregame batting practice.
And teasing.
“Clubhouse atmosphere of what it’s like to be a big league,” Grant said. “No holds barred of us ragging guys, because it’s all in fun. … It’s a great way to meet people. It’s a great way for us to share with people the experience we were all so lucky to have.”
Campers must be at least 25 years old. For information, go to padres.com/fantasycamp
Proceeds from the camp go to the Padres Foundation.
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