February makes baseball fans giddy. On the back end of winter, images of Spring Training symbolize both better weather and the return of America's pastime.
For the players, they are giddy to be back on the field, but they also have some work ahead of them.
For two players, Hunter Pence of the Giants and Dee Gordon of the Marlins, their early Spring Training work will also benefit others. As part of Fitbit Celebrity Challenges, Pence and Gordon are having their steps tracked Feb. 23-27. The athlete who has the most steps tracked at the end of the week will have a $10,000 donation to the American Heart Association written in his name.
But there's a catch. Fans can support a player of their choice. For every $1 donated, the player earns 10 steps. The winner of the competition will be announced Feb. 28.
Training Secrets With Dee Gordon and Hunter Pence
Dee Gordon
Q: How do you train in the off-season? What about during spring training? What’s your typical work out regime?
Dee Gordon
A: During the beginning of the off-season I train once a day, and the last 2 months before Spring Training I bump it up to twice a day. My workouts before and during Spring Training usually include lifting weights, hitting in the cages, and fielding drills.
Dee Gordon
Q: What are your favorite types of workouts/exercises?
Dee Gordon
A: Any kind of upper body workouts are definitely my favorite.
Dee Gordon
Q: Aside from baseball, what other ways to you stay fit, active and healthy?
Dee Gordon
A: Before baseball, I loved playing basketball. Now I really enjoy being active outside with training games, especially box drills to improve my agility. Eating right and staying hydrated are really important for me to stay healthy throughout the season too.
Dee Gordon
Q: What are your go-to foods to fuel your body?
Dee Gordon
A: Steak and veggies!
Dee Gordon
Q: During the week of the Challenge, what will you do to stay active and make sure you win?
Dee Gordon
A: I’m going to run around as much as possible…even inside my apartment!
Hunter Pence
Q: How do you train in the off-season? What about during spring training? What’s your typical work out regime?
Hunter Pence
A: There’s a lot of strength training involved during both the off-season and Spring Training. Weight lifting, batting practice, and outfield drills make up the bulk of my work-out routine.
Hunter Pence
Q: What are your favorite types of workouts/exercises?
Hunter Pence
A: I enjoy many different kinds of workouts, so it’s really hard to just pick a couple. It’s important not to focus too much on one area, so I like to do full-body workouts.
Hunter Pence
Q: Aside from baseball, what other ways to you stay fit, active and healthy?
Hunter Pence
A: Baseball & training are the main ways I stay fit, but I also love spending time playing with my nieces and nephews outside. Eating smart is the key for me staying healthy and energized all year-long. Mental health is also important to me, so I really enjoy reading.
Hunter Pence
Q: What are your go-to foods to fuel your body?
Hunter Pence
A: I like to eat balanced meals with any kind of vegetables and fatty proteins that will help fuel my body. And of course, kale!
Hunter Pence
Q: During the week of the Challenge, what will you do to stay active and make sure you win?
Hunter Pence
A: I think I’ll give my scooter a rest and use my feet instead!
Along with the Pence vs. Gordon matchup, Sports Illustrated swimsuit models Hilary Rhoda and Erin Heatherton went toe-to-toe last week in the same challenge. Rhoda's 104,613 steps edged Heatherton's 75,645. Fan can follow Fitbit Celebrity Challenges won Fitbit.com and with the hashtag #FitbitforAHA.
-- Follow Jeffrey Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband.
