By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
CLEARWATER, Fla. — With pitchers and catchers reported to the Carpenter Complex, spring training is officially underway as the Philadelphia Phillies commence their 136th season in franchise history.
It is not just any typical spring training, but one rather that right-hander Vince Velasquez believes is bringing "a whole different vibe" to the clubhouse under rookie manager Gabe Kapler.
"Radical change" brought to camp by Kapler — the club's 54th skipper all-time — had already been witnessed well before Wednesday's official reporting date, from workouts beginning later in the day and tracking player activity for workload regulation, to the blending of responsibility between front office personnel and uniformed coaches.
Another change implemented thus far at camp — creating this "different vibe" — is Kapler recording players on his smartphone "so he could share it." According to The Athletic's Matt Gelb, Kapler will film a player and use it later as motivation not to spy on his players, but instead focus on building relationships.
“It's amazing how one person or just one human being can change your ways by creating a different vibe," Velasquez told Gelb on Wednesday.
Kapler will bond with his players in the weight room, and lift even while talking to them. As the first pitches were thrown by pitchers, and as new gloves were broken-in by catchers, Kapler made sure to run "field to field" to immerse himself in as many drills as possible.
"He squatted with the catchers, close enough to be clipped if there was an errant pitch in a bullpen session. Then, he peeked from behind the screen-fence backstop to see the movement on pitches," Gelb writes.
Kapler simply wants to be around his players. In fact, he invited every one of them to a team-bonding event on Sunday, with players requested to wear whatever attire that makes them "feel confident."
“It's just a little more comfortable to be active instead of standing up against the wall observing," Kapler said. "I think it sends a message of, 'Hey, I just want to be around you guys. I want to spend as much time with you guys as possible.'"
The players have quickly recognized Kapler's willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed, as well as his "focus and attention to detail." The vast difference in philosophy from last season's coaching staff is something that all players have already embraced, even those fighting for depth chart positioning, like first baseman Tommy Joseph and catcher Andrew Knapp.
"He's committed to us. He's committed to winning. He's committed to finding a way to bring that winning culture to Philadelphia," Joseph told Gelb. “It's awesome. It's a completely different approach that none of us have been used to. I'm stoked about it.”
"He's all in. So, now it's my responsibility to take advantage," Knapp said.
Excitement is in the air. Music is blaring. Drills are being filmed and analyzed.
Life appears to be good thus far at Phillies camp.
"It's amazing how much he brings to the clubhouse and just how live it is right now," Velasquez said. "This is the first day and we’re already bumping music.”
The Phillies' full squad is scheduled to report to camp on Monday. Their first exhibition game will take place three days later, next Thursday, Feb. 22, against the University of Tampa Spartans at Spectrum Field.
