Chapter 15 - "Just stand out there and stick your glove out in the air. I'll take care of it." (The Sandlot)

Feb 5, 2009: Today I slept till 5:45am and almost did not want to get out of bed. You know the saying, “too much of a good thing…..” Anyway, met up with Brent and we headed to the Development Center for our morning ritual, dressing, trainer, stretching, BP and breakfast. At 8:30 we have a Camp meeting with everyone. Today before the meeting started, got a glimpse of Kevin Yukilis.

The Camp meeting is led every morning by Ken Sanders who runs the camp for the pros. Every meeting starts with him handing out fines of $1 or $5 (a major). Over the last couple of days folks have been fined for dress code violations, tardiness, not acting like a major leaguer (forgetting to wear a batting helmet, etc). Well today Ken started out the meeting by calling out “MAIO”. Oh no!. My coach, Lou Merloni explained the situation for me being called on the carpet (see video). You really cannot hear it over the laughter by Ken fined me $5 from yesterday game 1.

After the meeting we do our Camp stretch. Well today it must have been 40 degrees (25with wind chill). Needless to say we stretched rather quickly. We went to our assigned fields. Today we played at the Complex on Field 3 against Lee’s Lefties coached by Bill “Spaceman” Lee. Let me tell you there were a bunch of lefties on that team. This team is tied for first place in their division with no loses. Also, this was my first face to face with Brent my buddy who is doing the camp with me – great guy – and really appreciated his encouragement throughout the last 6 months. Anyway the game did not go as we would have liked it.

We played them close for a couple of innings and then had the dreaded 5 out inning when they scored 5 runs. I might have been the cause for one of those extra outs when a pop up came to me at second, lost it in the sun, really, picked it up as it came down except that it hit the palm of my glove (basket catch – wussy) and fell to the ground for an error. Did not make up for that with my hitting going 0-fer with a strike out and a called third strike looking strike out. More on that in a sec. The highlight of the game for me later in the game on an ESPN Top 10 plays of the week, a great catch on a line drive over my head which I caught (put my glove straight up in the air and jumped as high as I could) and doubled up the runner at second for an inning ending double play. Given some of the pictures you have seen so far, you must be wondering how I was able to get off the ground, but I did.

The last at bat, Brent was catching for the other team. First pitch was low and outside. Second pitch was high and tight. After I called him a d**k the count all of sudden turned to his favor going 3-2. After the first two pitches and the name calling, he started to tell me the pitches which I believed given he is an honest guy. But when we got to the 3-2 pitch and he said curve ball, I couldn’t believe it until I saw that sucker coming right at my face and break down over the plate for a called third strike looking to end the game.

Final score 8-1 which dropped our record to 4-2 tied for second place. We have a chance to be in the final if we win the afternoon game and Friday morning’s game. See the blog for the afternoon activity.

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!

Chapter 13 - This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball.” (Bull Durham)

Wednesday morning (2/4/09), City of Palms Stadium Field , closest thing to Fenway Park and we are playing the 0-2 Hobson Hornets coached by Butch Hobson. Very crisp morning and we are along the first base line in the shade. As the home team we are in the field first.I was batting fourth in the line up, that's clean up for those who are not baseball aficionado's, and playing second base. Fans in the stands included mom and dad along with Patti. No issues in the top half of the first, the ball stayed away from me. Bottom of the first bases loaded no outs and here comes Number 50 Tim Maio to the plate. Takes the first pitch for a ball. The second pitch right over the plate and I lined a streamer down the third base line (see video) for the first run of the game. We went on to score three runs in that inning.

The second inning was the beginning of a long day in the field and will be the topic of Chapter 15 tomorrow. Any way, a hard ground ball comes my way. I pick it up right away and should be no problem. Thought glove was down on ground yet the ball goes through the wickets. Ugh. Cost us an unearned run that inning. After the inning Coach Epperson talked to me about positioning of the glove. Later coach Merloni asked who the woman in the blue sweatshirt was. I asked why and he said he heard her say "get you glove down and get it dirty". He got a kick out of that and its going to cost me a fine in that my wife called me out on the bad play.

Can things get worse? Well here goes, next at bat, dribbler back to the pitcher. Another defensive gem later in the game as a soaring pop fly came to my area in the infield. The wind was blowing, no sun in my eyes, but the ball was really moving. Well anyway, the ball did hit my glove but not in it. I took a very embarrassing tumble as I went back to get the ball. Another run. Boy, that hurt both physically and mentally. Next at bat I did drive in a run with a chop single to first base. I was lucky that the first baseman did not plate the ball right in my face as the bases were loaded and they were looking for the force at home. After I hit the ball, I thought ah sh...! Just the force at first and a RBI for me. I did have an assisted put out during the game. All in all not a great outing but a win anyway. When you see the scoreboard, I thought both the E's were mine but I think only one. (click to see bigger picture) Needless to say was disappointed with the defensive outing. The batting was not the best but did get a base hit and two RBI's. We are now 2-1 going into our next game in the afternoon. As I reflect, this game should be simple but its hard.

Chapter 12 - "some say that heat's the way to go-but I have discovered the secret-HOT ICE-I heat up the ice cubes. Its the best of both worlds"

We played our second game at the Development facility. After a dismal start in the morning we regrouped our efforts against Ron Johnson's, Jackals. Ron's team won it all last year. The afternoon games are pitched by each teams coach. So Epperson was pitching to us. The lineup was set with me batting third in the lineup and playing second. First at bat was a lined single RBI between the shortstop and third. I ended up at third with no outs. Coach Merloni was the third base coach. Next batter hit a fly ball to center and instead of holding the bag I ran down a little thinking the centerfield would not catch, my bad, came back to bag to tag but was to late. Coach Merloni went on to say that in that situation with no outs or one out, hold the bag and tag. So with one out, the next batter came up and hit a fly ball to left field, which of course I thought was tailing away so I started down third when I looked back and he caught the ball, so I went back to base and tagged and Coach said go (he knew I was dead to rights). I scampered down third and slid into home and was called out - double play. As I got up Coach Merloni walked by and I said to him, "didn't you just tell me what to do?" What a 10 year old mistake. Oh well. Made several good plays at second which kept our team in the game. Had one more hit that fell in front of the right fielder.
Moved to second on a sacrifice. Ok folks, one out and on second. Coach Merloni had the insurance run on second, my thighs were burning up. I looked at him and gave him the "no way I am going to score from second" sign. He agreed, as the batter hit it to the outfield and he held me at third where I was stranded - my thighs were killing me. However, we won the game by one run and we are now 1-1. It was a very satisfying win and gave me a little more confidence going into the next couple of days.

Patti was at both the morning and afternoon games and tried to take some video with the new camera. After reviewing the results, we have agreed that she will focus on the picture taking and not use the video feature on the camera (plus after reviewing, video must put on at least 20 extra pounds on the person).

She walked be back to the training room and I met her back at hotel later in the afternoon. During that time I visited the trainers room along with several others from Camp. I had him wrap my thigh with ice. He asked about the other one and I said one at a time. Sat around with the leg wrapped and than changed it over to the other thigh and than to the shoulder. Key to all of this, I do not think this counts as the under in the odds laid down by Eddie. This was treatment for aches and pain that neither beer nor drugs were able to fix. So whoever bet the over wins!!

Tomorrow we are on City of Palms Stadium Field in the morning. Mom and dad are coming with a video camera. Hoping the weather holds, cold front down here, low 60's and breezy. A little colder in the morning. Until than.

Chapter 11 - Do you know what we get to do today Brooks? We get to play baseball." - (Dennis Quaid in The Rookie)

The day has finally come. Months of planning and anticipation. All the training and lack thereof. The two months of batting practice. Its finally here. This morning we dressed in home whites and took our Camp picture as well as our team picture. Last nite was the draft and I was drafted by Coach Epperson, the manager of Boston's California Class A affiliate. Assisting him is hometown favorite, Lou Merloni (coached at one time by our own Franklin resident Coach P). After the picture we headed to City of Palms Park (the secondary field) to play the morning game against Mirandas' Marauders, headed up by Walter Miranda, pitching coach of the Lowell Spinners, a Class A affiliate of the Redsox. We were the home team and I was 11th in the lineup playing second base. Running (trotting) out onto the field it reminded me of all the times I sent my team out and telling them just to have a fun time, its a game. From my recollection of the morning, I had a couple of balls hit toward me, the first I wished I had a glove on my foot, but I did stop the ball (great hockey save). The second was a force at second, just aimed it at the runners head, lucky for me he started his slide and we got the out. That was pretty much on the field, I think I played 5 of the 7 innings.

Now for the batting. Very shaky. Did not get up till the third inning, the guy was throwing heat. By the time he got to me, I sensed he was getting tired. He got the count to 1-2 and I new a curve ball was coming. A opened my stance a little more (not much more or something might have happened) and sure enough here it comes, right down the middle, the tongue slips out the side of my mouth (ala MJ) and I reared back and all of the sudden the ball breaks to the outside and I whiffed it, not pretty. My other at bat was non-eventful as well, I believe another strike out. We lost the game by a lot. We went back to the player development facility and had lunch. Jim Rice was there begrudgingly signing autographs. I am not a big autograph type person but appreciated the fact he was there, but passed on opportunity. After lunch, changed into my away jersey and got ready to play another. See Chapter 12 for those results.

Chapter 10 - "I got 20 eyes-closed strike outs, 5 broken windshields, and 6 dead birds! I'm freakin' awesome!" (Clarke from Benchwarmers)

Ok well Monday afternoon is upon us and the schedule calls for an evaluation game and than the draft later that night. I was on John Valentin team. They selected the teams very scientifically for this game, by alphabet. So the L's and M's took on the K's and L's. John penciled me in at 2nd base and lead off hitter. Of course we were up first. Faced a mean lefty who threw at least 50mph. All I can think of was Kevin always taking the first pitch which I did, low and outside, STRIKE ONE. Ok, wide strike zone. Second pitch, the ball tailed inside and high, STRIKE TWO (wide and high strike zone). Next three pitches protected plate and fouled off. Finally the last one went into the catchers glove for STRIKE THREE. Oh well.

Went out in field and played second. Had one put out to first and assisted on another during the seven innings. No errors.

I guess you want to hear about the other two at bats. Not exactly stellar. Lined out to second and he doubled off the runner at first base for a inning ending double play. My third at bat came with two outs and bases loaded. Hit a dribbler to the pitcher and the throw just beat me. As I was coming back to dugout, one of the guys said "did you pull a hamstring?" and I said it almost felt like it but made it without a problem. That ended the inning and game.

Afterwards we headed back to the locker room. They had dogs and beer for us. Did not have to see the trainer but there were a lot of guys with ice on their shoulders.

Got home and worked a little. Had dinner with Patti. Went down to the bar for the results of the draft. I will be on Epperson's Eagles coached by Chad Epperson and Lou Merloni. We had drinks afterwards. Mentioned to Lou that I knew the guys at Extra Innings and Coach P from Franklin. He was very complementary of both. Looking forward to having a great time. So here is the schedule:

Tuesday
COP #2 vs Tomlins Tigers
PDC#2 vs Johns jackals

Wednesday
COP#1 vs Hobsons Hornets
PDC#5 vs Valentins Vikings

Thursday
PDC #1 vs Lee's Lefties (my buddy Brent Uken is on this team)
PDC #3 vs Treuels Trolls

Friday
Championships

Chapter 9 - "Hitting the ball was easy. Running around the bases was the tough part." (Mickey Mantle)

Monday morning 5am and still 45 minutes before the alarm and I am awake and ready to go. Looked out the window and its raining. Met up with Brent at 6:15am and got to the facility at 6:30. Walked in and WOW! Rows of lockers with chairs and uniforms. Got down to locker #12 and found MAIO.

What an operation. First stop was an introduction to the trainer and the training room.

After that we got dressed and hit the batting cages. Brent can hit the ball but can't pitch BP worth a darn. Grabbed breakfast and had our first meeting at 8:30am. They broke us up into five groups. My group started in the outfield. Caught the one hit to me, first step was back, back, back and put the old glove in the air and came down with it. Next station was hitting. Went into the tunnel with Chad Epperson. Jeff, you would have been proud. Than I got tired and he came to me and send get that barrel out to the pitcher - sound familiar. Thereafter no problem. Took another round with Al Bumbry. Jeff again you would have started laughing. He said, "hit the ball" as I was not following through. So Jeff, kudos to you, you nailed me from the beginning. After hitting we went to base running with Dick Berardino, Rich Geldman and George Thomas. That was more just a walk through. Went to the pitching station next and threw for 30 minutes. Thought my arm was going to come off. Bill Lee kept it interesting. Final station, fielding, was with John Valentin and Lou Merloni. Lots of ground balls. After that was lunch and a well deserved break. More to come in the next chapter of my afternoon. Oops, forget to mention that the Hooter Girls were giving out VIP cards to go to their place and listen to the music.