Jeff Williams supporters' website

TO AKI!

08/02/17

G’day fans.
Well our first phase of spring camp is now over and we are moving to Aki city tomorrow. Despite the rain and cool weather we had here in Okinawa, I feel we have made good strides in getting in shape for some real baseball games. It is always hard to gauge where we are in terms of performance for the coming season until we actually play games with our regular starters, but what is most important now is that every one is feeling healthy and getting their strength for the long haul ahead. I myself am feeling very good for this time of year as I have been able to move along at a good pace for a pitcher of my advancing age. That means I am taking it pretty easy so that I don’t fall over and hurt myself. Actually though I feel quite strong and have been spending most of my energy so far in the weight training room trying to improve my strength and power as I feel that this is the most important thing for a relief pitcher to achieve before having to get ready to pitch in every game.

I was able to throw batting practice on our last day here and I feel that it went very well. The first time you face hitters every year is a big test and lets you know how your well your pitches are moving and how your condition is. My slider is in good shape already and now I just need to improve my location and I’ll be ready for the season.

Tonight I am planning to meet up with some old teammates here on the island for dinner. Darwin Cubillan, Jamie Brown, and Chris Oxspring are all in Okinawa training with their new Korean league teams and so we are going to meet up for some reminiscing over good food and maybe a couple of beers. They are all nice guys and I’m glad to see them getting an opportunity to show their stuff in Korea.

Although I’m not really looking forward to the cold weather in Aki, it feels good to know we are onto the next phase of training and that much closer to starting the season and really enjoying some victories. Really the toughest part of camp is missing my family but I know that time will go by fast and I’ll see them soon after we get back to Osaka.

Ok, I must say bye for now but I’ll write again soon….
Until then….cheers
Jeff
17/02/2008

SPRING TRAINING IN OKINAWA

08/02/10

Gday fans..
Well here we are in Okinawa and into our 3rd cool. It has rained every day of camp so far which has made it tough to really get a feel for how our practices are going as most everything is indoors.
The feeling here is that we are excited to see just how good we can be
this year what with the new additions of Arai and Kanemura and also a
healthy Imaoka, Fukuhara and Andoh.
We seem to have a great mix of veteran players who are still in their prime and talented youngsters who are coming into their own and will surely push for those ichi gun roster spots.
I have thrown a couple of bullpens so far and I’m feeling very good.
At this early stage of spring training I am trying to pace myself so that I will be in peak condition for the start of the season but it is hard not to go as hard as I can because that is my personality. I’m looking forward to facing hitters again though because that is when the adrenalin kicks in and I have the most fun.

We’ve been able to golf a couple of times on our off days also and that has been a good chance to get to know our two new foreigners Ford and Atchison. Both are very happy to be here and motivated to win a championship. I think they are finding things a bit strange so far but that is to be expected. It is fun for me to see new players come and try to adjust because it reminds me of my first experiences here. Although it also makes me feel old now too.

Well I’d to thank all you fans for your continued support and I appreciate all the kind messages and well wishes. I will do my best to bring you a Japan Series victory and we can all celebrate together…..
Until next time….
Cheers
Jeff

10/02/2008