• HoHoKam looks smaller than I expected, but apparently still manages to pack 'em in. Yesterday's announced attendance was 8,000 and there were sections that were empty. But it's fun to watch the Cubs in such small confines -- like seeing them at a nice AA ballpark.
• Jason Marquis looked as good as advertised -- which means we're in trouble. I know Lou said he was pleased with the performance, but Jason was getting hit pretty hard. He was fortunate that the ball was usually hit directly at someone -- and that our starters were still in the game playing defense.
• Soriano was exhibiting some of the same traits that can get him into problems. He was swinging at everything Zito threw him, and while he fouled a lot of pitches off, he eventually struck out swinging on a pitch that was over his head. I think he'll still be fine this year, but I am concerned what will become of him when his bat speed slows down.
• The game was immeasurably improved by the presence of an older woman behind us who looked and sounded just like Tony Soprano's mother, and seemed to have major problems with every player on the roster -- with the odd exception of Ryan Theriot, who she was very high on. Most of her ire was reserved for Ronny Cedeno. After Cedeno let an easy grounder go through his legs she commented, "They can't blame that on him. That's just the way he plays the game. You either understand the game or you don't, and he doesn't."
• One odd part of a spring training game is the presence of players on both teams running sprints and doing excercises in the outfield during the actual game. I imagine that has to be a distraction to the outfielders, but it seems to be an accepted part of the game.
• Overall, I'm certainly not going to get down on the Cubs based on their first spring training game, but it is good to see Lou already getting exasperated at the poor fielding. That has to be brought under control.

More to come this weekend...