GLENDALE, Ariz. — Will Venable leaned against a fence, watching left-handed pitcher Tyler Gilbert throw during a bullpen session.
Moments later, pitcher Mason Adams walked over and gave a fist bump to the new Chicago White Sox manager.
“The last few (camps), I was the guy in charge of the schedule and took a lot of responsibility in that,” Venable said Wednesday at Camelback Ranch. “Today, as we got going, I was checking the schedule and some of those same nerves and anxiety were there and (then) I realized that’s not my responsibility (anymore) and was able to float around and see some different guys.
“Just a different perspective. It’s baseball, and just the same overall stuff.”
The Sox officially opened camp Wednesday with Venable getting a feel for his new role as pitchers and catchers reported for spring training.
“It was a lot of excitement coming in and really cool to see all the guys,” Venable said. “Definitely some excitement last night thinking about it, and to be here in person has been amazing.”
Venable, 42, spent the last two seasons as associate manager with the Texas Rangers before being named the Sox skipper in late October.
“Even yesterday being around and seeing some of the guys, it’s a little bit of a different feel,” Venable said. “Today as I try to find my way and figure out what I need to be doing and where I want to be, it’s definitely different.”
Venable’s journey to becoming a major-league manager included spending parts of nine seasons in the big leagues as an outfielder and gaining experience in various roles on coaching staffs with the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Rangers.
“He’s a relationship builder,” general manager Chris Getz said Tuesday. “He’s done a great job with our staff and our players. He’s got a very easy temperament. He’s very thoughtful in his communication skills. He understands the small things, but also understands the big picture. Every time I interact with him, and I think I could speak for others, you walk away pretty impressed.”
Venable arrived at Camelback Ranch on Wednesday at 5 a.m., ahead of a staff workout that began a half hour later. A portion of his day included sharing a conversation with Getz, chatting with members of the support staff and getting a closer look at pitchers Jairo Iriarte, Jake Eder and Steven Wilson during their bullpen sessions.
“I think it’s important to be able to spend time with everybody,” Venable said. “And certainly, as we get going with stuff on the field, we’ll figure out what that looks like — whether it’s just (when) guys (are) playing catch, being able to touch base with them and say hello. In between their bullpens (for pitchers), whatever it might be, just trying to find any way to connect.”
Venable talked to the players as a group Wednesday, relaying expectations and providing a schedule so they had the information to get through the day. Catching coach Drew Butera handled plotting out the schedule.
Venable said the Sox want to “set the expectations for the kind of things that we want to do” during the first few days of camp.
“We talked about the work, the importance of controlling the running game, PFPs (pitchers’ fielding practice), the things that we need to do on the mound,” Venable said. “And talked about the pitchers’ and catchers’ relationships and some of the things we’re going to do in camp to support that and develop in those areas. Really just setting the foundation for those things, and obviously, as we continue, we’ll be working on those things as well.”
Venable said there are several factors that lead to a productive camp.
“One, (it’s) supporting the guys to get all the things done that they want to accomplish,” he said. “I think that certainly the team fundamentals that we have that are important to executing and winning games are things that we need to go out and complete. And then staying healthy. Obviously we have a lot of guys that are going to be important to this thing, and we need them all to be healthy.”
Venable was happy to have the first day in the books.
“We survived Day 1,” Venable said. “Coming in, there are things as far as scheduling and making sure the flow of our day is giving our guys a chance to get everything that they need. I thought we accomplished that today. We know there are some adjustments that we’ll make, but really happy with how the day went.”
Chicago White Sox pitchers and catchers reported to spring training Wednesday and Will Venable got his first taste of overseeing a camp as a manager.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Will Venable leaned against a fence, watching left-handed pitcher Tyler Gilbert throw during a bullpen session.
Moments later, pitcher Mason Adams walked over and gave a fist bump to the new Chicago White Sox manager.
“The last few (camps), I was the guy in charge of the schedule and took a lot of responsibility in that,” Venable said Wednesday at Camelback Ranch. “Today, as we got going, I was checking the schedule and some of those same nerves and anxiety were there and (then) I realized that’s not my responsibility (anymore) and was able to float around and see some different guys.
“Just a different perspective. It’s baseball, and just the same overall stuff.”
The Sox officially opened camp Wednesday with Venable getting a feel for his new role as pitchers and catchers reported for spring training.
“It was a lot of excitement coming in and really cool to see all the guys,” Venable said. “Definitely some excitement last night thinking about it, and to be here in person has been amazing.”
Venable, 42, spent the last two seasons as associate manager with the Texas Rangers before being named the Sox skipper in late October.
“Even yesterday being around and seeing some of the guys, it’s a little bit of a different feel,” Venable said. “Today as I try to find my way and figure out what I need to be doing and where I want to be, it’s definitely different.”
Venable’s journey to becoming a major-league manager included spending parts of nine seasons in the big leagues as an outfielder and gaining experience in various roles on coaching staffs with the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Rangers.
“He’s a relationship builder,” general manager Chris Getz said Tuesday. “He’s done a great job with our staff and our players. He’s got a very easy temperament. He’s very thoughtful in his communication skills. He understands the small things, but also understands the big picture. Every time I interact with him, and I think I could speak for others, you walk away pretty impressed.”
Venable arrived at Camelback Ranch on Wednesday at 5 a.m., ahead of a staff workout that began a half hour later. A portion of his day included sharing a conversation with Getz, chatting with members of the support staff and getting a closer look at pitchers Jairo Iriarte, Jake Eder and Steven Wilson during their bullpen sessions.
“I think it’s important to be able to spend time with everybody,” Venable said. “And certainly, as we get going with stuff on the field, we’ll figure out what that looks like — whether it’s just (when) guys (are) playing catch, being able to touch base with them and say hello. In between their bullpens (for pitchers), whatever it might be, just trying to find any way to connect.”
Venable talked to the players as a group Wednesday, relaying expectations and providing a schedule so they had the information to get through the day. Catching coach Drew Butera handled plotting out the schedule.
Venable said the Sox want to “set the expectations for the kind of things that we want to do” during the first few days of camp.
“We talked about the work, the importance of controlling the running game, PFPs (pitchers’ fielding practice), the things that we need to do on the mound,” Venable said. “And talked about the pitchers’ and catchers’ relationships and some of the things we’re going to do in camp to support that and develop in those areas. Really just setting the foundation for those things, and obviously, as we continue, we’ll be working on those things as well.”
Venable said there are several factors that lead to a productive camp.
“One, (it’s) supporting the guys to get all the things done that they want to accomplish,” he said. “I think that certainly the team fundamentals that we have that are important to executing and winning games are things that we need to go out and complete. And then staying healthy. Obviously we have a lot of guys that are going to be important to this thing, and we need them all to be healthy.”
Venable was happy to have the first day in the books.
“We survived Day 1,” Venable said. “Coming in, there are things as far as scheduling and making sure the flow of our day is giving our guys a chance to get everything that they need. I thought we accomplished that today. We know there are some adjustments that we’ll make, but really happy with how the day went.”
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