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Vitello Watch: Observations from a Tuesday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium

On3 imageby: Eric Cain3 hours ago_Cainer
Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Credit: VQ
Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Credit: VQ

Tuesday was interesting as the midweek fall scrimmage wasn’t like the others. Instead, fans poured onto the porches beyond the outfield wall in left and left-centerfield, trying to show their support and appreciation for a skipper who could be on the move.  

But will Tony Vitello be on the move? That’s the [multi] million-dollar question that – still – nobody has the answer to as of Tuesday. Sources told Volquest that Vitello did meet with his team following the scrimmage but that he remains undecided. So, as of 5:30 p.m. ET, a decision has still not been made nor has the team or university been notified of such decision. The wait continues.

It was reported by The Athletic Saturday afternoon that the Giants were closing in on Vitello to be the next manager of the eight-time World Series champions. National baseball writers such as Jeff Passan and others at the time reported that a decision could come within 24-72 hours. We are now past that timeframe.

On campus, it was business as usual for the Vols. The team began arriving at Lindsey Nelson Stadium a little after noon eastern time to begin early hitting and stretching. Once warmups were well underway, light rain and some lightening took over the skies and the team ventured inside the batting cages to resume calisthenics and stretching.

After that brief setback, the team returned to the field and the scrimmage was underway. All three levels of the porches, the only part of the construction-filled renovated stadium open for fans, were filled. It wasn’t packed by any means, but there was a good showing for fall baseball on a Tuesday afternoon in October.

On two separate occasions a “We Want Tony” chant broke out. The first go-around, Vitello turned around and waved and then threw a baseball into the porches on his way back to the dugout in-between frames.

When the scrimmage was over, Vitello acknowledged the fans who came out. “Thank you all. Thank you all. We got meetings,” Vitello said while he and his team were making their way off the field.

So, with no decision made and his team still not informed one way or the other, Vitello watch continues. But I do think Vitello was appreciative of the support he saw from fans who made their way to the ballpark today.