Today's Bradenton Report:

The players took the fields today at 10:00 under sunny skies, windy conditions (20-30 mph) and temps in the low 50s.

After the daily stretching and throwing program, the players all broke into their individual groups.

Today’s drill featured the “pick-off/rundown” fundamental.

Today was also the second day of pitchers throwing batting practice to batters.

The following 14 pitchers threw two “innings” of 17 pitches each (Zach Duke, Charlie Morton, Vinnie Chulk, Evan Meek, Ramon Aguero, Ronald Uviedo, Daniel McCutchen, Brian Burres, Jeremy Powell, Javier Lopez, Wil Ledezma, Brian Bass, Jeff Sues and Jean Machi).

Catchers had to battle the high sky and windy conditions as Coach Luis Dorante shot baseballs 200+ feet into the air during the catcher’s pop-up drill.

All non-throwing pitchers participated in drills, conditioned and were off the fields by 11:30

Position players took batting practice, participated in fielding and running drills, conditioned and were done by 12:45.

Tonight is the first-ever Pirates pep rally, which is being held on Old Main Street in Bradenton, from 6:00 pm until 10:00 pm. A total of 15 current players, along with 1971 World Series hero Steve Blass and team President Frank Coonelly, will be on hand for the festivities. In addition, the official 2010 jerseys (home/road/alternate) of the Bradenton Marauders are expected to be unveiled at 7:00 pm.

In the photos, provided by the Pittsburgh Pirates, third basemen Doug Bernier, Pedro Alvarez and Bobby Crosby fielding (note ball in Pedro’s glove); and catchers participating in the pop-up drill.