Chapter 14 - “Man, this is baseball, you gotta stop thinking! Just have fun.” (Benny in The Sandlot)

Time to regroup and figure out why I am here. I have to remember the reason why I came to Fantasy Camp. It was to experience the fun that all the kids I had the opportunity to coach over the last 20 years had a chance to experience. So, let put the morning game behind me, it didn't cost us the game any way so not the end of the world.

We came back to the Development Center for the afternoon games. We were the Home team so a somewhat quick change from grays to whites. Almost didn't want to come out, was pretty sore, the quads are really hurting. We had an afternoon stretch which helped out a lot. Got our marching orders for the game against Valentins Vikings coached by John Valentin and Luis Tiant. I was starting at second and batting eighth.

First inning a defensive gem which of course the lady in blue and mom and dad did not see (they went to lunch and somehow were late for the game). Their loss, but the play was a liner to me at second which I caught and doubled up the runner at second for a unassisted double play. Coach Merloni said it almost made up for this morning.


To remind everyone, the afternoon games are pitched by your manager. So meatballs down the middle. Anyway first at bat uneventful, dribbler back to pitcher. Made a couple of other stops in the field. While I did not get on base, I did have a RBI sac fly to deep left field which was very satisfying. A big hug to my coach after the inning. Really got a hold of that one. Later in the game I moved the runner from second to third with no outs. The next batter (Benny who is 72 years old) brought the runner on a fielders choice (his first RBI).
Finally, we ended the game with a double play started by me at second, toss to the shortstop and on to first for a 4-6-3 double play. Merloni said that should have been enough to make amends for my wife's comments from earlier in the day.

The win puts us in a tie for first with a 3-1 record. Tomorrow we play Lee's Lefties and my buddy Brent who are undefeated.

Right after the game, we headed to City of Palms for the home run derby which was one by one Jim Yastrzemski (not related).


We also had a barbecue afterwards which was pretty good if it was warm outside. The cold front came through and it was at least 40 degrees and windy.
We ate fast and got into our cars and headed home. Later, Patti and I went to the bar and were entertained with stories from Oil Can Boyd. What a character.

So until tomorrow, just having fun!