<\/p>\n
Before digging in at the plate Sunday, Royals right fielder Jac Caglianone turned his cap backward and the good-natured razzing from teammates began.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A few hours before the Royals\u2019 game against the Orioles, Caglianone took batting practice alone in preparation for Monday\u2019s All-Star Game Home Run Derby in Philadelphia. While his teammates didn\u2019t take BP on the field at Oriole Park and Camden Yards, many came to watch. A few Orioles players did, too.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What made this uncommon was the battery. Hitting coach Alec Zumwalt was in full catching gear behind the plate. In front of the mound was Jeff Caglianone, Jac\u2019s father. He will be throwing to his son at the Home Run Derby and this was merely a practice session.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
But it was a special moment, even if it was a prequel to the big show.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really cool that it\u2019s his dad throwing to him. How special is that?\u201d said Royals manager Matt Quatraro, who delayed his pregame interview to watch. \u201cJust think fathers and sons and parents in general doing stuff with their kids, and to be able to do it on this stage, and then to be able to do it Monday night on that stage is going to be really cool.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
During a break, teammates brought Caglianone a towel and some water. Tyler Tolbert dabbed Caglianone\u2019s forehead at one point to remove the sweat on an 80-degree morning.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
At another time, Vinnie Pasquantino chatted with Caglianone during a break, and a few people gave his dad some advice.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was cool. I didn\u2019t know that many guys would come out. We see guys from the other team watching too.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Teammates Bobby Witt Jr. and Michael Wacha will be in Philly for the All-Star Game, so Caglianone will have support at Citizen Bank Stadium. And his coaches and teammates will be watching at home, too.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited,\u201d Caglianone said. \u201cI\u2019m really excited for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n