February 21, 2007

Spring training is always a special time. I love hanging out there in Florida, going to see different players prepare for the season. It's funny because every time I arrive, the guys want to talk about college basketball and the potential national champions!

	Speaking with the Bucs at spring training.

I have had a blast this week, visiting the Reds and Pirates camps. What made it really special was the remark made by a writer. He said I looked like a little kid with eyes wide open! I told him he was 100 percent right.

What a thrill to have my three little grandsons -- Ryan, Connor and Jake with me to enjoy the atmosphere of spring training. It was great to see Ken Griffey Jr, playing catch with the boys! Yes, the superstar himself had a little game of catch. I can tell he is a great father himself, watching him with his three kids playing too!

There is nothing like seeing the white ball on the green grass. Oh, the sound of the bat, baby! It is a special feeling.

At the Pirates camp, I got to see manager Jim Tracy, who is from Sarasota. His son is a future major leaguer in the Rangers camp, a high draft pick out of Pepperdine. I ran into former major league hurler and outstanding pitching coach Jim Colborn, who asked me to speak to the pitchers and catchers. The players were working on mechanics.

I told the players that they should respect the jersey they were wearing, and that responsibility and accountability is so important these days. Always give your best to pursue your goals and dreams. They were so attentive and I was invited back to speak to the full squad.

	Ken Griffey Jr. with my grankids, baby!

I made sure they knew that kids look up to the players, dream of being in that major league uniform. I reminded them about when they were little leaguers, thinking about one day being in the bigs. They busted their gut to get where they are today. I told them to leave everything on the field day in and day out.

I got a bigger thrill than the players did. When I was a youngster in New Jersey, I dreamed of one day wearing those pinstripes! Then I realized I had no talent whatsoever on the diamond!

I thank ESPN for opening so many doors for me. I never would have been at spring training and sitting with players if I wasn't given that big break by ESPN in 1979! I am lucky, baby!

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.