MLB.com

I have been coming to Spring Training for more than 40 years now, and it still is my favorite time of the baseball season. The atmosphere abounds with optimism, and players and fans alike are excited and anxious about the new season. This year, when there has been so much controversy, I wasn't sure what to expect from the players and the fans. I am happy to report that the players were accessible, positive and looking only forward to Opening Day, and fans were as boisterous and enthusiastic as ever!

I had a wonderful opportunity to work with two kid reporters, Torre Duffy and Emily Griffen, both eighth grade girls from Albany, NY. We spent the day in Orlando at Cracker Jack Stadium where the Atlanta Braves played the New York Mets. We interviewed two Mets players, Braden Looper and Heath Bell. We also talked to Sharon Jones, Chipper Jones' wife, and two batboys, Matt Bailey and Mike Pedrazas, about Spring Training and baseball. Here is what we found out.

MLB.com: How did you get to be batboys?
Matt Bailey: Both of us are on Disney Internships. We major in sports management.
Mike Pedrazas: I was also a batboy for the Marlins when they won the World Series.

MLB.com: What was that like?
Bailey: It was the most incredible experience. So few players get to win the World Series, and to watch them touch the trophy and celebrate was amazing.

MLB.com: What is the best part of being a batboy?
Bailey: Meeting all the players.

MLB.com: Do you have a favorite player?
Pedrazas: They are all so nice, but I guess Chipper and Marcus [Giles], [John] Smoltz and [Tim] Hudson.

MLB.com: Anything else you'd like to tell us?
Bailey and Pedrazas: We are so lucky to have this job. It has been the most incredible experience.

We met Sharon Jones in the Braves dugout with her three boys Matthew, 7, Trey, 4 and Shea, 7 months (yes, he is named after Shea Stadium). It was hot and sticky out and the boys were saying goodbye to their dad as he headed into the locker room, but she was calm and cool as she spoke to us.

MLB.com: What is the best part of being Chipper Jones's wife?
Sharon Jones: Getting to go to all the games and watching him play, although traveling is a lot harder now with all the babies.

MLB.com: What is the most difficult part?
Jones: When he's gone on the road.

MLB.com: If you could change anything what would it be?
Jones: If I could change anything it would be that Chipper was a normal 9-5 man. Even when he's home, he's not home. He leaves at noon to go to the ballpark. I look forward to retirement when we can go to the kids' games together. He misses out on a lot of firsts.

MLB.com: What is your life like during the offseason?
Jones: Well we all go through a withdrawal. It's like here we go again. Chipper is so used to being on the go that he is always doing something.

MLB.com: What does he like to do?
Jones: He has a ranch in Texas and he goes there and hunts. I used to hunt with him. If he is not at the ranch then he plays golf or goes fishing. On Sunday he likes to stay home though and watch football.

MLB.com: Do you have any family traditions?
Jones: Well we are just starting to make our own traditions with the kids.

MLB.com: What does Chipper do for you on Mothers Day?
Jones: Well you never know, but he usually sends me flowers.

MLB.com: What do you do for Father's Day?
Jones: If they have a home game we go to the game, and the kids make hand made cards for him.

MLB.com: What is Chipper's favorite food?
Jones: Fried egg sandwich with cheese.

MLB.com: Does he have any baseball rituals?
Jones: Well if he is having a good streak he might wear the same socks or not shave his goatee.

MLB.com: Are you involved in any charitable work?
Jones: Chipper's foundation supports the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and we also support the Atlanta Women's Day Shelter by raising money for it every year.

By now Jones' boys were needing their mom to get them home. As she was getting the boys together she let us in on a wonderful surprise. She and Chipper are expecting another baby later this year.

At this time we headed over to the Mets dugout where both Braden Looper and Heath Bell took the time to talk to us for a few minutes.

MLB.com: How many kids do you have?
Braden Looper: Two. A daughter, five, and a son, two and a half.

MLB.com: What is the hardest part about being a ballplayer and a dad?
Looper: The hours and the traveling. We are gone a lot on the road and when we are home my hours are odd hours.

MLB.com: And the positives?
Looper: Playing in the big leagues and being on a team where I can bring my son on the field. (Not during a game though)

MLB.com: How do you celebrate Mother's Day?
Looper: I wish I could take my kids to get my wife something, but often we are away so it is hard.

MLB.com: And what do they do for you for Father's Day?
Looper: If we are playing at home then my family comes to the game and we do something on the field. My wife and kids do something special too, like make cards.

Looper was summoned to the locker room and Bell stepped in to talk to us about his life in baseball.

MLB.com: How many kids do you have?
Heath Bell: Three. Jasmyne is six, Jordyn is three and Reece, my son, is one and a half.

MLB.com: What is the hardest part of being a baseball player?
Bell: My family doesn't travel with me. They live in Florida. I miss them to death. My wife makes me DVD's from her digital camera and that is how I see them take their first steps. You ought to see my locker. It is a kid's locker; filled with their pictures, cards and drawings.

MLB.com: And the best part?
Bell: I will tell you a story. I was in double A and I lost a game on a home run pitch. When I got home my oldest daughter said to me, "Dad that was a long ball. It was cool!" That was the best.

MLB.com: Are you involved in any charities?
Bell: Well I thought the reason you wanted to talk to me was because my daughter Jordyn has Down's Syndrome. I get asked a lot about it. We are very involved with Down's Syndrome. You know they call it Down's Syndrome after the doctor, but the kids are so loving and upbeat and happy; they are not down at all.

MLB.com: What is your favorite holiday?
Bell: Christmas is my holiday. I go nuts with the lights and you have to put them up right after Thanksgiving. We have a fake tree so I spray the smell of pine. My oldest daughter likes Halloween the most.

MLB.com: What do you do for Mother's Day and Father's Day?
Bell: For Mother's Day I call my mom and my wife if I am on the road. I send flowers to my wife. She's a great mom. For Father's Day I call my dad. My wife does something special. If I am on the road my family calls and sends me homemade cards.

MLB.com: Do you have a favorite food?
Bell: Chinese. Dim Sum. My wife is Chinese. I use chopsticks and she uses a fork.

As the four of us stood there talking, the sky filled with storm clouds and we had to run for cover as the rain began. Although the game was rained out, this MLB.com reporter and two kid reporters had a great time getting up close and personal with all of these great people. Thanks to all of them for spending a few moments with us!