Woke up this morning and it was about 40 degrees and a strong wind from the north at 20mph. Only saving grace was the sun was up and hot. Walked down to Dunkin Donuts to get one of those healthy donuts. I did walk against the wind and everything.
Went shopping to find a long sleeve shirt to wear next week. Suppose to be in the mid 60's next week - morning will be a little colder. Forgot it was Florida, long sleeve anything is non-existent.
Heard from my buddy Brent. He arrived!!! There was a 50/50 chance he was going to back out. Unfortunately, a business opp will probably take up all his down time. Glad he was even able to make it. Still looking to make the best of it.
Patti and I check into the hotel tomorrow. Will have more information on next entry.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Chapter 6 - On way to the Show
Well the time is here and near. Last tuneup in the batting cage was last nite. Had a session with Jeff on Tuesday. Have come a long way since December when I started this quest. Thanks to all the staff at Extra Innings for their time and encouragement.
My staff sent me off yesterday afternoon with a little surprise gathering. Thanks for the Icy Hot and the gum and tobacky. Your card touched me and I appricate alls best wishes.
Packed up everything last nite. Cleats, shirts, socks, sliding shorts, sunglasses, bats and gloves. A little bit of a sleepness nite. Our neighbor Steve brought us to the train station this morning.
Patti surprised me and upgraded us to First Class on AirTran. Travelling in style. Just waiting on our flight right now.
Of course got in 3 hours of billable time in already and have a call tonite.
Hopefully things will settle down next week.
Until than, keep checking.
My staff sent me off yesterday afternoon with a little surprise gathering. Thanks for the Icy Hot and the gum and tobacky. Your card touched me and I appricate alls best wishes.
Packed up everything last nite. Cleats, shirts, socks, sliding shorts, sunglasses, bats and gloves. A little bit of a sleepness nite. Our neighbor Steve brought us to the train station this morning.
Patti surprised me and upgraded us to First Class on AirTran. Travelling in style. Just waiting on our flight right now.
Of course got in 3 hours of billable time in already and have a call tonite.
Hopefully things will settle down next week.
Until than, keep checking.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Chapter 5 - One Week to Go
Shout out to all my followers. Love the Sun Goddess and thanks Jake for checking in. My preperations are almost complete. Last week spent Tuesday and Thursday at Extra Innings hitting and catching. Got my spring training haircut on Saturday by Kelley R and a shout to the gals at Essentials in Milford. Going to Extra Innings this morning with Kevin. Have a lesson with Jeff on Tuesday and a final tuneup on Thursday. Than Patti and I catch the plane on Friday for Ft Myers. Understand the tempature has been great. Talked to my buddy Brent and it sounds like his prep is going well. Understood he took a side trip to LA to meet with Manny and get some tips on being Manny.
I have attached the schedule and teams for everyone to look at, especially my partners back home so they know when not to call me. Can't tell you how many times I have taken a call while coaching first or third base. This time I will be rounding first or third so will not be able to pick up the phone. Accordng to Patti I will be handicapped anyway with the piano that I will be dragging.
(Just click on each picture and it will get bigger on your screen).
(Just click on each picture and it will get bigger on your screen).
(Just click on each picture and it will get bigger on your screen).
I have attached the schedule and teams for everyone to look at, especially my partners back home so they know when not to call me. Can't tell you how many times I have taken a call while coaching first or third base. This time I will be rounding first or third so will not be able to pick up the phone. Accordng to Patti I will be handicapped anyway with the piano that I will be dragging.
(Just click on each picture and it will get bigger on your screen).
(Just click on each picture and it will get bigger on your screen).
(Just click on each picture and it will get bigger on your screen).
Friday, January 16, 2009
Chapter 4 – Positions: Left Field and Left Out
You would have thought that finding out about this back in July and kind of hinting about this as a "39th" birthday gift for the last 18 months I would have done a little more to get ready for Camp. So it’s been a crash course over the last several months to get ready. The Camp Sign-up Form came in September and Patti filled it out for me before I knew about it. She somehow got my pant size, shirt size and hat size. She even put my number – of course 39th. I guess that did not cut it so she put down number 50 (in honor of receiving my AARP card). As for the field positions, she wrote down Left Field and Left Out. I ended up seeing the form before sending and decided to prove her wrong. So my training regime began.
October/November – This was my cardiovascular time. I was walking every day for about 2 miles getting up to 3 miles. Couple of times even went to the club and walked on treadmill and biked as well as lifted. Than day-light savings came and it still way to dark in the morning to walk and became to cold. So that ended that and my cardio is pretty much set. I am in a heap of trouble. If that ball is not out of the infield, I will be doing my impression of Manny jogging to first base carrying my bat or a David Ortiz strut down to first base.
December – Met with the folks at Extra Innings in Wrentham and put together a plan to get me caught up on the hitting front so I would not have to run so fast. Took four lessons during the month of December. Jeff was my hitting instructor. It was interesting; this young guy was going to teach me how to hit. I told him it was weird because for 18 years I was on his side of the fence. He asked me what I wanted to accomplish. I told him “let’s start from the beginning, break me down and build me up”. So he took a look at my first swing and he said stop. One swing. He looked at me sheepishly and asked “are you a golfer?” I asked in what respect but knew what he was getting at. By the way, my golf game is not at issue here. He said I had a golf swing and that we had a lot of work to do. Now I understand why my son’s Little League Coach was upset once when he heard Kevin went golfing. So for the next four sessions, we worked on the basics: weight on back foot, swivel the toe, hands back, hips, elbow in and follow through. Over 500 soft tosses later, I think I feel comfortable with my swing. But that was just soft toss, what about facing real pitching?
On a side note, the family went to Florida over the Holidays and I brought my cleats and glove down with me hoping to get some time on a field. Played catch once in seven days. Other than that, the glove and cleats sat in the condo as I enjoyed the great weather as well as the food and drink. At least my right elbow is in shape.
January – Started to hit against live pitching. Well as live as I was going to get in January in New England. Have been renting space in thecage at Extra Innings facing Iron Mike the Pitching Machine. First time I went with Kevin and we set the machine at 60mph. We figured that was going to be the average arm speed of the pitchers at Camp. After a couple of whiffs, I got my focus and started hitting the ball. The black 32 felt good. Stance was right, hands back, elbow in, swivel toe and hips through. The ball was flying off the bat. Thank goodness for pitches right down the middle. Kevin got in the cage for a few minutes and I could see the fire rekindle in his eyes - he missed it maybe just a little. Afterwards we played catch a little and in the car ride home I asked how I did. Instead of being impressed he said “my hand were all wrong, I was chopping at the ball.” (Cats in the cradle, he turned out just like me…). But I knew he was a little impressed.
Caught up with a couple fellow campers during the month and hit with them. One of the guys is going for the fourth time. He said don’t worry about butting (there goes my average) and stealing (so much for the cardio). He confirmed the pitching was in the 60’s occasional 70’s. All in all he said that everyone has a great time and not to worry. I feel so much better.
I figure I have five more times in the cage and one last lesson with Jeff before takeoff on January 30th. My entourage arrives in Fort Myers on Friday the 30th and will be staying with parents for a couple of days before checking into Camp on Sunday the first. Not sure if I will have time for any other Blog entries before than given my work schedule, just came back from chilly Minnesota where the low temperature the last two mornings was -22 degrees. Hoping I can get to the club for maybe some cardio and lifting before than as well.
Having almost completed this tough training schedule, I am confident that if I was to fill out the form today the positions that I could play would be right field (hoping no one hits that way) and second base (shorter throw to first). So much for “left out”.
October/November – This was my cardiovascular time. I was walking every day for about 2 miles getting up to 3 miles. Couple of times even went to the club and walked on treadmill and biked as well as lifted. Than day-light savings came and it still way to dark in the morning to walk and became to cold. So that ended that and my cardio is pretty much set. I am in a heap of trouble. If that ball is not out of the infield, I will be doing my impression of Manny jogging to first base carrying my bat or a David Ortiz strut down to first base.
December – Met with the folks at Extra Innings in Wrentham and put together a plan to get me caught up on the hitting front so I would not have to run so fast. Took four lessons during the month of December. Jeff was my hitting instructor. It was interesting; this young guy was going to teach me how to hit. I told him it was weird because for 18 years I was on his side of the fence. He asked me what I wanted to accomplish. I told him “let’s start from the beginning, break me down and build me up”. So he took a look at my first swing and he said stop. One swing. He looked at me sheepishly and asked “are you a golfer?” I asked in what respect but knew what he was getting at. By the way, my golf game is not at issue here. He said I had a golf swing and that we had a lot of work to do. Now I understand why my son’s Little League Coach was upset once when he heard Kevin went golfing. So for the next four sessions, we worked on the basics: weight on back foot, swivel the toe, hands back, hips, elbow in and follow through. Over 500 soft tosses later, I think I feel comfortable with my swing. But that was just soft toss, what about facing real pitching?
On a side note, the family went to Florida over the Holidays and I brought my cleats and glove down with me hoping to get some time on a field. Played catch once in seven days. Other than that, the glove and cleats sat in the condo as I enjoyed the great weather as well as the food and drink. At least my right elbow is in shape.
January – Started to hit against live pitching. Well as live as I was going to get in January in New England. Have been renting space in thecage at Extra Innings facing Iron Mike the Pitching Machine. First time I went with Kevin and we set the machine at 60mph. We figured that was going to be the average arm speed of the pitchers at Camp. After a couple of whiffs, I got my focus and started hitting the ball. The black 32 felt good. Stance was right, hands back, elbow in, swivel toe and hips through. The ball was flying off the bat. Thank goodness for pitches right down the middle. Kevin got in the cage for a few minutes and I could see the fire rekindle in his eyes - he missed it maybe just a little. Afterwards we played catch a little and in the car ride home I asked how I did. Instead of being impressed he said “my hand were all wrong, I was chopping at the ball.” (Cats in the cradle, he turned out just like me…). But I knew he was a little impressed.
Caught up with a couple fellow campers during the month and hit with them. One of the guys is going for the fourth time. He said don’t worry about butting (there goes my average) and stealing (so much for the cardio). He confirmed the pitching was in the 60’s occasional 70’s. All in all he said that everyone has a great time and not to worry. I feel so much better.
I figure I have five more times in the cage and one last lesson with Jeff before takeoff on January 30th. My entourage arrives in Fort Myers on Friday the 30th and will be staying with parents for a couple of days before checking into Camp on Sunday the first. Not sure if I will have time for any other Blog entries before than given my work schedule, just came back from chilly Minnesota where the low temperature the last two mornings was -22 degrees. Hoping I can get to the club for maybe some cardio and lifting before than as well.
Having almost completed this tough training schedule, I am confident that if I was to fill out the form today the positions that I could play would be right field (hoping no one hits that way) and second base (shorter throw to first). So much for “left out”.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Chapter 3 - Hats for Bats
Talking about being unprepared from an equipment standpoint, this experience reminded me of my kids playing days of having to buy new equipment every year. Several months ago I had a conversation with Brent my partner in this venture and we went through the equipment list.
First the glove. I cannot count the number of times I saw kids come into tryouts in March with new gloves not even broken in. So the dilemma was do I go out and buy new or finds one of the kid’s old gloves. Well the later prevailed and I found a couple broken in gloves to use. Unfortunately I was hoping to find an outfielders glove – you know – the kind that is two times too big but can cover a lot of ground (meaning stuff over my head) like those tennis rackets the old people use. No luck but at least I have two gloves that are broken in, and yes they are leather, not the ones you find at WalMart.
Next came the shoes, I’m sorry cleats. After much discussion with Brent, it was decided a mid (cover the ankle almost like Johnny U) molded cleat would be my best bet. I called several friends whose sons playing days were over to see what inventory they may have. Unfortunately no go. Now the hunt begins as a scour, Dicks, Sports Authority, Marshalls, TJMax, Discounted Shoe Warehouse, Bobs, etc for that least expensive shoe. You know how hard it is to find a cheap adult baseball molded cleats in November? I was at a client in Nashua NH and stopped at a Bobs Store (my third) and found a pair of 10.5 mid wide (yes wide’s its genetic). Just a little tight (at the toe). Unfortunately the store had no 11’s but did find a pair somewhere in Connecticut. No problem ship to the Wrentham store, - problem solved. I have been wearing them around the house just to break in. They came to Florida in December but never saw the light of day. Given the weather, not excited about using them as now shoes.
Next came the fashion ware. Oh my. The undershirts are easy, red, short and long sleeves and probably reusable after the experience, just about the only thing. While the camp provides socks and uniforms, I went ahead and bought a couple of pair just to get use to wearing them. For a birthday gift, Patti got me a pair of sliding shorts (again the last pair of adult wear). Went the other day and picked up, yes even at my age, protection for the boys. I tell you, quite a selection. I will be well protected.
Next came the miscellaneous stuff, you know the stuff that makes you look like a baseball player. First the bag. Had to have a bag to put all my equipment in. Next the glasses, yes the sunglasses. Cheaped out on a flip pair. Put them together and the glass falls off the frame. Need to figure out before getting into the outfield. Needed pine tar right. Absolutely. Oh yes, Brent was nice enough to send along a couple pair of batting gloves, need to protect the hands you know. Patti bought me a nice vinyl warm-up for hitting – you know- if you dress the part know one knows any differently if you are good or not.
Finally, the bat, yes the bat. The instrument most thought out by kids and adults alike. The more color the better, the bigger the better. Needed a bat, even though the Camp provides them. And not just any bat but a wood bat. Decisions, decisions, - wood? Composite? Ash? Maple? 32? 33? So I confided in my good friend Larry, who has been the equipment manager for youth baseball in Franklin for a whole lot of years. I wanted something durable to practice with but not cost prohibited. Larry found me a 32 and 33 Louisville Slugger (prolite version). We decided on a 33 given the extra length may help cover the plate for this aging slugger. However the 32 was a little lighter but my budget at the time meant one bat. After talking with Brent who will be packing a bag just for his bats, I did find a black maple 32 Louisville slugger on sale the other day. So much for budget.
As I look back at these purchases, I have to wonder if this is a bucket list experience or due to what I have sunk into it thus far a every other year thing. Think about it, shoes are no use to me unless I bronze them or the Hall of Fame asks for them. The clothes, forget about, back of the closet for that stuff. And of course the bats - maybe I can put one of them in my golf bag for the next time Nick starts complaining about his mother’s sister.
First the glove. I cannot count the number of times I saw kids come into tryouts in March with new gloves not even broken in. So the dilemma was do I go out and buy new or finds one of the kid’s old gloves. Well the later prevailed and I found a couple broken in gloves to use. Unfortunately I was hoping to find an outfielders glove – you know – the kind that is two times too big but can cover a lot of ground (meaning stuff over my head) like those tennis rackets the old people use. No luck but at least I have two gloves that are broken in, and yes they are leather, not the ones you find at WalMart.
Next came the shoes, I’m sorry cleats. After much discussion with Brent, it was decided a mid (cover the ankle almost like Johnny U) molded cleat would be my best bet. I called several friends whose sons playing days were over to see what inventory they may have. Unfortunately no go. Now the hunt begins as a scour, Dicks, Sports Authority, Marshalls, TJMax, Discounted Shoe Warehouse, Bobs, etc for that least expensive shoe. You know how hard it is to find a cheap adult baseball molded cleats in November? I was at a client in Nashua NH and stopped at a Bobs Store (my third) and found a pair of 10.5 mid wide (yes wide’s its genetic). Just a little tight (at the toe). Unfortunately the store had no 11’s but did find a pair somewhere in Connecticut. No problem ship to the Wrentham store, - problem solved. I have been wearing them around the house just to break in. They came to Florida in December but never saw the light of day. Given the weather, not excited about using them as now shoes.
Next came the fashion ware. Oh my. The undershirts are easy, red, short and long sleeves and probably reusable after the experience, just about the only thing. While the camp provides socks and uniforms, I went ahead and bought a couple of pair just to get use to wearing them. For a birthday gift, Patti got me a pair of sliding shorts (again the last pair of adult wear). Went the other day and picked up, yes even at my age, protection for the boys. I tell you, quite a selection. I will be well protected.
Next came the miscellaneous stuff, you know the stuff that makes you look like a baseball player. First the bag. Had to have a bag to put all my equipment in. Next the glasses, yes the sunglasses. Cheaped out on a flip pair. Put them together and the glass falls off the frame. Need to figure out before getting into the outfield. Needed pine tar right. Absolutely. Oh yes, Brent was nice enough to send along a couple pair of batting gloves, need to protect the hands you know. Patti bought me a nice vinyl warm-up for hitting – you know- if you dress the part know one knows any differently if you are good or not.
Finally, the bat, yes the bat. The instrument most thought out by kids and adults alike. The more color the better, the bigger the better. Needed a bat, even though the Camp provides them. And not just any bat but a wood bat. Decisions, decisions, - wood? Composite? Ash? Maple? 32? 33? So I confided in my good friend Larry, who has been the equipment manager for youth baseball in Franklin for a whole lot of years. I wanted something durable to practice with but not cost prohibited. Larry found me a 32 and 33 Louisville Slugger (prolite version). We decided on a 33 given the extra length may help cover the plate for this aging slugger. However the 32 was a little lighter but my budget at the time meant one bat. After talking with Brent who will be packing a bag just for his bats, I did find a black maple 32 Louisville slugger on sale the other day. So much for budget.
As I look back at these purchases, I have to wonder if this is a bucket list experience or due to what I have sunk into it thus far a every other year thing. Think about it, shoes are no use to me unless I bronze them or the Hall of Fame asks for them. The clothes, forget about, back of the closet for that stuff. And of course the bats - maybe I can put one of them in my golf bag for the next time Nick starts complaining about his mother’s sister.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Chapter 2 - Who's on First
Let me provide a little bit more information on the camp for you all. The Camp starts Feb1 through the 8th, 2009 at the RedSox Training Facility in Fort Myers, FL. We check into the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Sunday and meet for a welcome introduction and overview of the program and daily schedule.
Many of you have asked who the Pro's and coaches are. Here is a tentative list: Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd, Dick Berardino, Darren Bragg, Lou Merloni, John Valentin, Al Bumbry, Richard Wise, Dick Drago, Rich Gedman, Butch Hobson, Bill Lee, George Thomas, Bob Montgomery, Chad Epperson, Walter Miranda, Ken Sanders, UL Washington, Joe Morgan and Ron Johnson. In addition, the following Red Sox personalities are scheduled to attend the camp including: Mike Greenwell, Frank Viola, Jim Rice, Luis Tiant, and Red Sox Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski.
My good friend Tim Wakefield will not be at the Camp but he did show me his famous knuckle ball pitch.
On Monday, we go to the Clubhouse and get our uniforms and locker assignments. All campers will have access to the club trainers (thank goodness) and clubhouse staff. Uniforms will also be washed by staff every day (I can get use to that). They provide everything including uniform jerseys, pants, belt, socks, hat and warmup pullover. They even provide bats, balls and helmet.
By the end of early morning Monday, we have our team pictures taken and morning strectch as we get ready for drills and evaluation (now I will know how the kids felt every March for tryouts). The evaluation goes throughout the rest of the afternoon. That night they have a draft. There are over 100 campers.
We get right to work on Tuesday with double header (morning and afternoon). Wednseday a double header. After the last game we head over for a Home Run Derby at the City of Palms Park where the RedSox play their spring training games. On Thursday we have a double header. Friday we play in the morning and the Championship Game and Consolation games are played at the City of Palms Park that afternoon.
Saturday we play 3 inning games against the Pro's and finish with the Awards Banquet that night.
As part of all of this, there is a Fantasy Camp Reunion at Fenway Park to see the Sox play and play a shortened game on the field.
So my hope is to provide you details at the end of each day with the goings on as well as pictures. Stay tuned.
Many of you have asked who the Pro's and coaches are. Here is a tentative list: Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd, Dick Berardino, Darren Bragg, Lou Merloni, John Valentin, Al Bumbry, Richard Wise, Dick Drago, Rich Gedman, Butch Hobson, Bill Lee, George Thomas, Bob Montgomery, Chad Epperson, Walter Miranda, Ken Sanders, UL Washington, Joe Morgan and Ron Johnson. In addition, the following Red Sox personalities are scheduled to attend the camp including: Mike Greenwell, Frank Viola, Jim Rice, Luis Tiant, and Red Sox Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski.
My good friend Tim Wakefield will not be at the Camp but he did show me his famous knuckle ball pitch.
On Monday, we go to the Clubhouse and get our uniforms and locker assignments. All campers will have access to the club trainers (thank goodness) and clubhouse staff. Uniforms will also be washed by staff every day (I can get use to that). They provide everything including uniform jerseys, pants, belt, socks, hat and warmup pullover. They even provide bats, balls and helmet.
By the end of early morning Monday, we have our team pictures taken and morning strectch as we get ready for drills and evaluation (now I will know how the kids felt every March for tryouts). The evaluation goes throughout the rest of the afternoon. That night they have a draft. There are over 100 campers.
We get right to work on Tuesday with double header (morning and afternoon). Wednseday a double header. After the last game we head over for a Home Run Derby at the City of Palms Park where the RedSox play their spring training games. On Thursday we have a double header. Friday we play in the morning and the Championship Game and Consolation games are played at the City of Palms Park that afternoon.
Saturday we play 3 inning games against the Pro's and finish with the Awards Banquet that night.
As part of all of this, there is a Fantasy Camp Reunion at Fenway Park to see the Sox play and play a shortened game on the field.
So my hope is to provide you details at the end of each day with the goings on as well as pictures. Stay tuned.
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Well, its happened. I first published my introduction the other day and mentioned that was not sure what was more daunting, setting up this blog or getting ready to go to camp. Based on my first edits of the blog its the first as I have deleted my initial post. So let me try again.
Recently I celebrated my "39th birthday" and recieved as my present from my wife a trip to the RedSox Baseball Fantasy Camp come Febuary 1, 2009 in Fort Myers at the RedSox Spring Training Complex. I had mentioned to her a few years back that this would be a neat present to celebrate this milestone. She reached out to my friend in Atlanta, Brent, and the two of them got together and signed not only me up for the camp but also Brent.
This is truly a dream come true. My baseball playing experience has been somewhat limited. I remember playing organized "softball" in our church league and was a pretty good shortstop. For one reason or another, there was no baseball in the area. Fast forward to 1989 with the first opportunity for my oldest to play T-Ball I signed up to assist my son's team.
We moved to Franklin, MA in 1989 and signed him up for the Spring 1990 Franklin youth baseball league. I volunteered to be an assistant or Coach and found out that they assigned me the managers position. That started over 18 years of volunteering. This included coaching my oldest through Pony League, my middle son through little league and my youngest all the way through Babe Ruth. It including many summer all star stints as manager as well as coaching at the Senior Babe Ruth age (16-18). I also was the coordinator of many of the age divisions and finally the President of the League for 8 years seeing it grow from 750 kids to over 1,200.
My last organized coaching ending with a heartbreaking loss in the finals of the Senior Babe Ruth league in 2007. I formally retired from all coaching in 2008. So the thought of actually particpating in the camp is a real thrill. All the years of coaching and instructing will hopefully all pan out for me as I get ready to go to Camp.
My goal of this blog is to keep my friends and family up to date with my experience. Having known about this for the last six months, I have not made to many strides to get my weight in check but have been fine tuning my baseball skills. I have been playing catch when weather permits and been going to see my personal instructor Jeff at Extra Innings in Wrentham.
Many have already read my first attempt at the blog and have expressed encourgement and lots of suggestions regarding stretching and the such. My lovely wife is looking for someone to set the line on my first injury. Please stay tuned for my postings as I get near to checking in. So with the help of the Almighty and a big bottle of ibuprofen I will survive this wonderful experience
Recently I celebrated my "39th birthday" and recieved as my present from my wife a trip to the RedSox Baseball Fantasy Camp come Febuary 1, 2009 in Fort Myers at the RedSox Spring Training Complex. I had mentioned to her a few years back that this would be a neat present to celebrate this milestone. She reached out to my friend in Atlanta, Brent, and the two of them got together and signed not only me up for the camp but also Brent.
This is truly a dream come true. My baseball playing experience has been somewhat limited. I remember playing organized "softball" in our church league and was a pretty good shortstop. For one reason or another, there was no baseball in the area. Fast forward to 1989 with the first opportunity for my oldest to play T-Ball I signed up to assist my son's team.
We moved to Franklin, MA in 1989 and signed him up for the Spring 1990 Franklin youth baseball league. I volunteered to be an assistant or Coach and found out that they assigned me the managers position. That started over 18 years of volunteering. This included coaching my oldest through Pony League, my middle son through little league and my youngest all the way through Babe Ruth. It including many summer all star stints as manager as well as coaching at the Senior Babe Ruth age (16-18). I also was the coordinator of many of the age divisions and finally the President of the League for 8 years seeing it grow from 750 kids to over 1,200.
My last organized coaching ending with a heartbreaking loss in the finals of the Senior Babe Ruth league in 2007. I formally retired from all coaching in 2008. So the thought of actually particpating in the camp is a real thrill. All the years of coaching and instructing will hopefully all pan out for me as I get ready to go to Camp.
My goal of this blog is to keep my friends and family up to date with my experience. Having known about this for the last six months, I have not made to many strides to get my weight in check but have been fine tuning my baseball skills. I have been playing catch when weather permits and been going to see my personal instructor Jeff at Extra Innings in Wrentham.
Many have already read my first attempt at the blog and have expressed encourgement and lots of suggestions regarding stretching and the such. My lovely wife is looking for someone to set the line on my first injury. Please stay tuned for my postings as I get near to checking in. So with the help of the Almighty and a big bottle of ibuprofen I will survive this wonderful experience
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