Brooks reports to Padres camp
Thursday, February 18, 1999. Associated Press

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Garth Brooks reported to the San Diego Padres' spring camp Wednesday and began workouts, a team spokesman said.

The country music superstar is attending spring training on a nonroster basis as a way to jump-start his charitable foundation and because he said he always wanted to be a baseball player.

But manager Bruce Bochy made it clear last week that Brooks has no chance of making the big-league club. If Brooks shows he can play, he likely would be assigned to one of the low minor-league teams. Rather than pay him a salary, the Padres are donating about $200,000 to Brooks' foundation.

Some 15 to 20 players were in camp by Wednesday, spokesman Glenn Geffner said. Pitchers and catchers are due to report Thursday and the rest of the team by Tuesday.

Brooks ran and worked on throwing and hitting, Geffner said.