What is working is his repertoire of pitches, which he used during a three-inning simulated session on the backfields of the Osceola County Stadium complex. Clemens pitched to his son, Koby, and nine prospects who are currently participating in a pre-Spring Training minicamp.
Clemens threw 84 pitches, and another 28 during a quick session of batting practice. Koby Clemens connected for a home run in the second round, and the crowd -- including a dozen or so cameras and about 100 fans -- laughed when the elder Clemens responded with one high and tight the next time his son stepped into the cage.
"I said, 'I hit the ball good, hit it out of the ballpark, and the next pitch is up and in, what's the deal?'" Koby laughed. "We were joking with it. We just jab at each other once in a while."
"That was probably one of the harder fastballs I cut loose," Clemens said. "He got my attention. I wish he was around for Round 3 when I was really hot, but for some reason he didn't come back."
Having spent much of the offseason training for the Classic, Clemens is using his time in Kissimmee as a final tuneup in preparation for his departure to Arizona later this week to join Team USA.
"My arm's a little ahead of the curve," said Clemens, who is working out with his longtime personal trainer, Brian McNamee. "I want to make sure my legs are where they need to be. We're going to do our two-a-days until I get to Arizona. I'll see the guys there and hopefully we'll have some fun with this World stuff."