ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Where's Ted: Tucson, Arizona

The Scene:

2006 National League Cy Young winner Brandon Webb shows off the new Arizona Diamondbacks uniforms. John Miller / AP

- Tucson is unique in the major leagues because three teams--the Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, and Arizona Diamondbacks--make this their spring training home. The Sox and D-Backs share Tucson Electric Park. But while Chicago had to move its entire base of operations many miles to the desert, as evidenced by the numerous boxes and bags in the White Sox clubhouse, the Diamondbacks are just a two-hour drive from their home in Phoenix. Even without their uniforms on, it's easy to tell a Diamondback from a Sox (or is it Sock?): The D-Backs are the tan ones.

- Today was the first game of the spring, and while the result wasn't very important (the D-Backs beat the White Sox, 8-5), it's always interesting to see how hard different players hustle. Both team's starters went through the motions, trying to work out the kinks. But once the reserves started coming in in the third inning, you could really see how hard these guys wanted to make the team. What they in talent, they made up for in heart and hustle. And those things count too. "We're watching everything," said D-Backs manager Bob Melvin.

- Arizona's decision to switch from black and purple jerseys to red ones has been met with mostly shrugs and "Who cares?" comments from those around the ballpark. Most fans who did wear jerseys to the game had not yet made the switch, but the D-Backs hope the boost in merchandising will help offset some of the costs they are trying to pay back from their free agent feeding frenzy of years gone by.

CHICAGO CUBS

Where's Ted: Mesa, Arizona

The Scene:

Former Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija is now a pitcher in the Chicago Cubs organization. Morry Gash / AP

- Today was moving day at Cubs camp. No, players weren't getting red-tagged (cut) or pink-slipped (sent down to the minors), the team was actuially packing and moving all its belongings to a different spring training ballpark down the street from their first home. Ho Ho Kam park, where the Cubs play their spring training games will be their new home starting Wednesday. Meanwhile, Fitch Park, where Chicago opens camp each year, will go back to being a ghost town. Asked the best part about the day, manager Lou Piniella said, "Getting out of here." Sweet Lou couldn't have been in too big a hurry to leave. His private bathroom remained unpacked, with his toothbrush, deodorant, and a hair dryer still sitting on the shelf.

- Hopefully, Ho Ho Kam (isn't that fun to say?) will have more grub. Some players were upset yesterday when the post-practice lunch spread disappered quicker than an Alfonso Soriano home run ball. "Next time, leave some for us!" shouted one player from a backroom. Sorry fella. Those Italian subs go pretty fast.

- Soriano has already become pretty popular with his teammates. Pitcher Carlos Zambrano, himself an All-Star, approached his new superstar teammate and asked him to autograph last week's cover of Sports Illustrated, which featured Soriano and Piniella on the cover. "It's an honor to be on the cover," said Soriano after signing. "When I came to the majors I never would have thought that would happen."

- The uniform is a little different but the flowing hair is still the same. When many of us last saw Jeff Samardzija he was an All-American receiver for Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. Now he's got a major league contract with the Cubs and is committing himself full-time to the cowhide, not the pigskin. When he first arrived in camp, he was told to trim his out of control locks, which tumbled beneath his cap like a waterfall. His hair is still a far cry from being called "short," but yesterday the team was more concerned with his fastball. After his morning workout, Piniella stopped his young gun to ask how he felt, "Good, and maybe that's the problem," said Samardzija. "I couldn't get my fastball down." "Keep working," Piniella said, "You'll be alright." Expect Samardzjia to open the season in Single A and if all goes well, to be in the majors in 2008.

Next Stop: Arizona Diamondbacks

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Where's Ted: Peoria, Arizona

The Scene:

San Diego Padres closer Trevor Hoffman poses with his sons (l. to r.) Brody, Quinn, and Wyatt during spring training. Elaine Thompson / AP

- At San Diego's facility, family is taken to a different level than most. Closer Trevor Hoffman shagged fly balls in the outfield yesterday with his sons and some other kids with Padres for, well, padres. The youngsters brought oohs and aahs from the adults with several impressive backhanded grabs and long running catches.

- Speaking of family, the Padres new second baseman is Marcus Giles. Marcus is the younger brother of Padres outfielder Brian Giles. Both figure to hit near the top of the lineup, and Marcus gives his hometown team an extra offensive threat at the top of the order that they desperately needed last year. Watching the two around the batting cage, it was clear that the two were excited to be playing together again.

- The Padres hired Bud Black to be their new manager in the off-season. Black, a longtime big league pitcher, still throws batting practice. The first rule of batting against your new boss? Don't take him deep. "He'll brush you back if you do that," said Padres outfielder Mike Cameron. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez must not have listened. He hit two of Black's first three pitches out of the yard.

- There was the usual supply of prospects hoping to make the team. (They're easily identified by their super high jersey numbers, like 71.) But even veterans still get nervous at spring training. "I've got butterflies waiting for the games to start," said Cameron, now in his 12th season.

Next Stop: Chicago Cubs