The Development Center was very quite compared to the last five days.
Most of the lockers were cleaned out as the clubhouse personnel were getting ready for the real guys to show up. 
We all were dressing in home whites for the games against the Pros. I packed up all my gear, they give you the two uniforms, and Patti and I headed to City of Palms just down the road. Last night over beers I mentioned that I would like to take a shot at pitching as did several others on the team. So we picked numbers out of the hat, 1-6, and I was going to be the third pticher. By Saturday morning I started to have some mixed feelings about playing a position I had not all week. Further, after watching a couple of the games before our turn, it was obvious to me the game was way too fast for me. All I could think of was a UL Washington or Mike Smith hitting one back at the pitcher and me losing 50 years of dental work. I found my team and took my name off the list.
As mentioned, Patti and I got to the Stadium well before our game
so we were able to watch two games in which Oil Can Boyd was pitching – he’s still got it. Was able to watch my buddy Brent pitch to two batters, a pop up and come backer to the pitcher (see). There was another game between Brent's and ours so we warmed up in the bull pen. Needless to say I was just as intimated as I was the first day. Going against the Pros who can turn it on like a light switch. Through four games that morning they had not been scored on. In fact, they have only lost one game in the last 20 years. Now it was our turn.
Joe Castiglione introduced each of the players on Eppersons Eagles. That was quite a thrill.
We than had our picture taken with the Pros.
Rich Wise was on the mound for the Pros. The top of the first, we had one hit but no runs. The bottom of the first we sent the Pros down 1-2-3 with Lou Merloni, our coach on the Eagles, flying out deep to left field. Our second inning we went 1-2-3. In the Pro’s bottom, they scored two runs; see what I mean about turning it on.
The thrill for me, I was playing the hot corner third (left field) base.
I say that because the third base coach (Bob Montgomery) for the Pros said, "who do you think you are going to throw out from there?" I said, "I was playing deep to avoid getting hurt; no way I was playing even with the base." Well wouldn’t you know it, next batter a popup into foul territory came my way and this time I lined it up right underneath and in front of an overflowing crowd of 200 made the catch for the second out. Whew! Our top of the third was also uneventful. I came up to bat against Rich Wise. First pitch was in the dirt for ball one. Nice speed and I was able to see the ball pretty good. Second pitch was a strike down the middle. Ok saw a strike and something I can hit. Was going to make this last. I pretty much made my mind up I was swinging at the next pitch. Right down the middle, made good contact (the bat didn’t rattle in my hands) but I grounded to UL Washington at second (he didn’t swallow his toothpick) and my tired old legs could barely get me down to first before the throw and that was that.
Final score 2-0.
We went through the line and I had a chance to thank all the Pros for the chance to play with them and against them. A sigh of relief came over me that it was over. We milled around a little and went into the clubhouse to sign some bats for our teammates.
I came out to the next game starting and Patti and I sat in the sun and enjoyed the game.
I am hoping that I can capture all my feelings in a blog to come but still have one more entry to come about the closing night ceremonies.
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