Apr. 22, 2008 (Day 87) - Ran out of P words

The team is now on its second road trip of the year, this time to Chattanooga, TN.  There's not a ton of new information to report.  The focus of the last week or so has been to get in a groove as best as possible.  The most significant portion of this road trip has been how we got to Chattanooga.  Our last game at home ended in 11 innings to West Tenn.  After the game, we ate dinner at the park, showered and loaded the bus up for the trip.  About an hour and a half after the game ended, we were on our way to Tennessee.  Being a low guy on the totem poll (senioritywise) I had to share a sheet with our shortstop, and it was looking like it was going to be  long overnight ride.  Fortunately, four of my teammates decide they wanted to play cards at the card table in the back, opening up a seat for me to try and sleep in.  Well, they managed to play cards for the entire over-night bus trip.  By the time we pulled into the Chattanooga hotel, I had 6 hours of restless sleep (which isn't really sleep at all) in my own sleep, and the four guys who were playing cards (mostly hearts and euker) were delirious from lack of sleep.  We leave for home after tomorrows early game, so I doubt the same situation will occur.  This means I will be doubling up on the trip home.  

We're playing decent baseball as of late, but can't seem to string together a long win streak yet.  We are second in the division and need to get on a roll to take control of the division.  I've been happy with how my season has gone so far, but really just hope to continue the same way over the course of the long season.  

It's also been neat to see the guys who are attending baseball chapel on Sunday (basically church for ball players).  What is ironic to see the new faces and the same guys from last year meet for "church."  Some guys that are going this year, didn't go last year.  I hope this means God has been working on their hearts some.  I also hope I will see more ways to reach out to them if the opportunity presents itself.  

I am looking forward to getting back home and getting to relax in my apartment, instead of a hotel.  We also have an off day coming up, I am hoping to find something to do.  Lots of guys play golf - which I don't. So I need to find a beach or something (perhaps Pensacola again) to go where I can kill some time.  

Apr. 10, 2008 (Day 76) - Perfect Timing

It's been quite a few days since I wrote last and a lot has happened. I am now in Jackson, Mississippi on our first road trip of the season. That means a few things, I got a chance to go to another big league game during Spring Training, I made the AA roster, I drove 20 hours all on I-10 across the US to Alabama, and I've already had 6 games with the Mobile Baybears. I also have already settled into my new apartment with a fellow reliever on the team, spent tons of money, and pitched twice.

The drive across the country was relatively uneventful - which is to say it was mercilessly boring. A teammate and I followed each other all the way across I-10, making it to eastern San Antonio the first night. We made it across the Louisiana Bayou (the real thing) and into Mobile later the second day. The next 4 days were comprised of dashing all over the city of Mobile finding an apartment, buying furniture from Big Lots and Goodwill, shopping at the most crowed walmart in the world, getting a used TV from a store that supports the Baybears and getting cable and Internet hooked up. My credit card is on fire....but all is finally settled.

Our season got off to a slow start as we dropped the first 3 games of the year. However, we've won our last 3 and are starting to play the game a lot better. I've thrown twice and am beginning to get used to the day to day operations of AA baseball. It's apparent the competition is definitely a step up from last year, but I've been happy with how I've thrown so far. Its always a constant struggle to maintain a consistent feel on the mound. I am glad however to have gotten my first couple outtings out of the way.

The girlfriend also came to visit for the first week of the season. Having her there was such a relief and perfect timing, especially with how crazy everything else had been. We had an off day, the day before she left, and headed to Pensacola Beach. Unfortunately, weather.com lied and it was neither 75 nor sunny as the website predicted. Still we made the best of it and had delicious Flounder Chowder at Floyd's Flounder house. She made it home yesterday without a hitch, and I am now on my first road trip of the season to Mississippi to play the Braves. Their stadium is beautiful, and it is really nice to play at such a nice field and realize that you belong in those stadiums. That they were built for you.

I suspect I will throw again soon.

Stay Tuned.