CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians’ home clubhouse at Progressive Field sits nearly empty now, a visual signal that baseball season is approaching. Truck day, the annual event where equipment and supplies are loaded onto trucks bound for spring training, took place Thursday morning. Truck Day represents far more than just a photo opportunity, it’s the culmination of nearly a year of planning and preparation.
“It’s almost a 10 month process because the orders have to go in so early for things that come internationally and things like that,” explained Brandon Biller, the Guardians’ home clubhouse manager. “But we start to see the bulk of the product arrive in December and then we slowly start to prep it. Once the calendar turns to January, it’s full go.”
This year’s operation benefited from the team’s new facilities, including an expanded clubhouse and equipment room that streamlined the preparation process.
“It was actually a huge help,” Biller said. “Just with the new equipment room, we were able to lay out everything in there. We built all our (equipment) sets here for the players, so when we get to Arizona, everything’s ready to go right in their lockers.”
The scale of the move is massive – essentially relocating the entire baseball side of the organization to Goodyear, Arizona, for spring training. The shipment includes everything from uniforms and apparel to bats and baseballs, all meticulously organized on pallets.
What many fans might not realize is that “Truck Day” isn’t just about moving baseball equipment. It’s also about ensuring players and staff have what they need to live comfortably during their extended stay in Arizona.
“Not only are you going to do your job, but you’re going to live there for close to 50 days,” Biller noted. “There’s bikes, personal luggage, kids toys. All those things they need in order to make that transition as easy as possible. It all goes with us.”
The process represents a significant improvement from recent years when construction at Progressive Field complicated preparations. “It’s been a few years since we’ve been down here with all the construction,” Biller told reporters. “This year we were able to use the new clubhouse and new equipment room for all the prep, and everything went really smooth.”
Once loaded, the truck faces a four-day journey to Arizona, weather permitting. “They’re gonna load today and then we’ll unload next Wednesday,” Biller explained. Upon arrival, the team hits the ground running. “It takes us about two days to get set up,” he said, noting that players are already in Arizona throwing bullpens and hitting.
“They’re waiting for us.”
For Biller and his team, seeing the equipment room empty brings a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. “It’s funny to see an empty equipment room, but it’s a good feeling like, ‘OK, it’s time to go, time to get started,’” he said.
This carefully orchestrated operation ensures that when Cactus League games begin, everything from batting helmets to bicycles is exactly where it needs to be. The players can focus on preparing for the season ahead, while fans back in Cleveland know that baseball’s return is just around the corner.