Texas Rangers spring break: Colby Lewis in his free time

Spending their own free time

With Cactus League games in session and students on spring break, countless families are heading to the desert for vacation. Outside of baseball and the weather, the Phoenix area offers plenty of attractions. And, make no mistake, the players try to take advantage of them, too.

Colby Lewis is one of the Texas Rangers who has found plenty to do when he's not preparing for the grueling 162-game season. The Star-Telegram caught up with the right-hander on how he's spent his down time.

Golf: Lewis recently hit the links with fellow pitcher Scott Feldman at Blackstone Country Club in Peoria.

"It's a nice course, I like it," Lewis said. "The last time I went I shot an 87. I went 50-37, terrible on the front. But throughout the round, I was trying to shorten my swing and give myself more opportunities to hit the green."

Racing: Last weekend, Lewis headed to Phoenix International Raceway to take in the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup races. Lewis is a fan of Kevin Harvick, as both went to North High School in Bakersfield, Calif. Harvick was a senior when Lewis was a freshman.

"I loved it," Lewis said. "It made for an awesome weekend with Kevin. We sat on top of the pit box for the Nationwide race on Saturday, and then we were on top of the Sprint trailer with Richard Childress for the Cup race. That was pretty cool."

It didn't end with the NASCAR event, though. After the Sprint Cup race, he went to Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria to watch the ASCS National Wing Sprint Car Series.

"We had an action-packed weekend, man," Lewis said.

Go-karts: Lewis has done some racing himself. He went to Octane Raceway in Phoenix to race go-karts.

"It's an indoor facility with the electric cars, so it was pretty fun," Lewis said.

Family time: Finally, Lewis is looking forward to his wife and two children coming out for two weeks this year.

"We'll just hang out," Lewis said. "Not going to do a whole lot other than just that -- hanging out."

95Top speed clocked on a Roman Mendez fastball during his B game outing on Sunday.

He said it

"It's not a hitter's swing." -- Ron Washington on Yu Darvish's swing

Yu watch

Yu Darvish threw a live batting practice session on Saturday, and is going through his regular pregame routine. He won't face any batters until his next start, scheduled for Tuesday vs. the Cleveland Indians.

Videos of the day

Watch Brad Hawpe's first at-bat of spring training, as he drew a walk against Royals reliever Jonathan Broxton in a B game Sunday morning. Also, catch Alexi Ogando starting in the B game and, as always, manager Ron Washington's media briefing on our Rangers video page.

-- Drew Davison

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