Norwich — Minor league baseball is an ongoing adjustment, especially at the lower levels.

Newly-signed draft choices quickly learn that life as a professional player can be as difficult as running with your laces on both shoes tied together. It is a bumpy journey off the field as well as on.

For some, it can be a hard and painful fall. Others break free and their careers take off.

"First year as a professional player, it's kind of hard," said Connecticut outfielder Joey Havrilak, who knows from experience, spending most of last season in Norwich. "You don't really know what to expect. You don't really don't know anybody coming here and you don't have any friends.

"... It was a challenge. The first couple of weeks, you're just feeling things out."

It's up to Connecticut Tigers manager Mike Rabelo to help his young players find firm footing, starting with Friday night's New York-Penn League opener at the Tri-City ValleyCats in Troy, N.Y.

"Your demeanor and the way you act around them, you want to let them feel as comfortable as possible because this is a tough game," Rabelo said Wednesday at Dodd Stadium. "You've got the wood bats. The competition is clearly better than where they came from.

"And we play every day. You (add) in the road trips, the day game after night game. You try to show them and give them a plan that this is how you play professional baseball."

In his third manager in Norwich, Rabelo has figured out a successful plan. He led the Tigers to their most successful season in franchise history in 2014, finishing 42-34 and earning a spot in the playoffs. Last year, they went 35-38.

More importantly, his primary job is to develop talent, and that's something that Rabelo clearly enjoys, calling it challenging yet fun.

He's learned to juggle all the duties that come with the job.

"The on the field stuff is easy," Rabelo said. "It's the other stuff. Second year and third year, you're as prepared as you can be. You're always going to get ambushed by certain things.

"Personally, I think I'm ready. More than anything, I'm excited to get playing."

The road calls for the Tigers, who visit Vermont for a three-game series after two at Tri-City. Their home opener is Wednesday against the Brooklyn Cyclones, the affiliate of the New York Mets.

Rabelo prefers starting the season on the road. By the time the Tigers arrive back in Norwich next week, he'll have a better feel for his team.

"You work out the kinks," he said. "On the road, it's a little easier in general. ... Hopefully, by the time you come back home, you're a little more locked in."

The trip also will allow Rabelo time to get acquainted with his players. He's familiar with some while others, including yet to arrive draft choices, are basically strangers outside of information from scouting reports.

"I don't know who any of these guys are," Rabelo said. "I know their names, but I don't know anything about them. Now we get to sit back and watch them, and then you start teaching. Let's try this, instead of that.

"That's what's really nice. You get to see these new guys and they're so excited to play pro ball."

As one of the "veterans," Havrilak can help ease the transition for the new teammates, offering advice and serving as area tour guide. It took awhile last season but he eventually developed friendships and grew comfortable with the coaching staff.

Now he feels almost at home.

"When you go to a new place, it's kind of unsettling and nerve-racking," Havrilak said. "But when you're coming back here after playing here, you know what to expect, where you're staying and what the field is like. It's easier to settle in and easier to start a season."

g.keefe@theday.com