I played in my first game in over a month yesterday, which just happened to be a double-header. It felt great to get back out on the field and play some ball. We were supposed to play the Giants scout team but apparently they canceled last Thursday. We ended up playing a team called the Hornets. They looked like a pick-up team and only showed up with 8 players, so we sent them one of our guys to catch for them. I guess that's what happens when you scramble for a game on two days notice. I'm not complaining though. ABs (at-bats) are ABs to me. The more pitching I can see the better. My timing was off a smidgen in my first AB but it came back for the rest of the game. I've been experimenting with my swing and I've opened up my stance a little bit, which has helped me see the ball better as I step into the pitch.
The first game against the Hornets I went 1 for 2 with two walks and a run scored. In my first at-bat I decided to use one of my newly acquired bats that my brother had just sent. It was an I13 Major League Maple bat. You can only guess what happened. Yep, that's right folks, after just one swing of the bat it was broken. I guess the only consolation I got was that I got a base hit. I hadn't realized that I broke it until my teammate told me it was broken. I didn't believe him at first, but I looked at the bat and low and behold the handle was cracked. Damn. Oh well. It happens to everybody. I guess I better get used to it. No matter how many bats I break, every time it happens I get pissed. I don't know what it is, whether I feel an attachment to the bat or what, but I always get upset when I break a bat; even if it is a base hit. Anyways, I digress. I ended up scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 8th inning when I scored on a throwing error by the second baseman. We only played 8 innings because of the time limit. After a quick 15 minute break we were back at it with the Cincinnati Reds scout team.
My first at-bat was the best of the day. I took a first pitch curveball right down broadway for a strike. I was ok with it because my timing was right on and I didn't want to swing at a first pitch curveball and roll it over. However, the pitcher thought it would be wise to come back with the same pitch. This time the results were a little different. I saw the pitch right out of his hand and it looked as big as a beach ball. It was like the scene in Rookie of the Year when Henry Roengardner throws the softball slowpitch to the Mets hitter and he licks his chops at how juicy and perfect the pitch looks; except I had the opposite result and didn't strike out like he did in the movie. I took the same stride and then *THWACK!* I knew it was gone the second I hit it. However, there's always that little part of me that doubts it will actually go out, which is why I choose not to showboat and do some stupid bat throw like I'm a big leaguer. That and it's Sunday baseball. We're there to have fun and play the game, not to show guys up and act like we're better than them; even if we are. Haha. Just kidding. Back to the home run, so as soon as I hit it I saw it soar down the left field line close to the foul pole. I was thinking to myself "Please ...just stay fair. PLEASE!" I saw it hooking foul, but luckily it stayed fair long enough and wrapped around the foul pole in fair territory. I don't know if any of you readers out there have been to Jackie Robinson Field at Brookside Park next to the Rose Bowl but its a pretty interesting field. The dimensions are a little mixed up. Left field is 385 feet, center is 365 feet, and right is 345 feet. It was a pretty good shot because there is a building about 60 feet past the left field fence that is used to store the Rose Parade float that stands about 30 feet tall and the ball I hit landed right where the roof meets the wall. I'd guesstimate it to be around 450 feet or so. In addition to the home run I also walked and hit into two fielder's choices.
Overall in 12 games with the Redbirds I'm hitting .364 with 2 home runs, 4 doubles, 8 RBIs, 6 walks, and 5 stolen bases. I have 11 strikeouts in 44 at-bats, which is 1 every 4. It seems like less, but that's what my stats say. I will say that I'm excited to see what happens for next season. I'm trying to get into an Independent League where ever possible. I know I have the tools to play pro ball as an outfielder. I just need somebody to give me a chance. The only thing working against me right now is my age. I'm 24, which in baseball years is getting up there; especially to not have that much experience. However, I'm very optimistic about this transition from pitching to outfield. Everybody keeps saying I'm pulling the Rick Ankiel. Hey, if he can do it then why can't I? The only difference is he's in the big leagues. Who said dreams can't come true?
The first game against the Hornets I went 1 for 2 with two walks and a run scored. In my first at-bat I decided to use one of my newly acquired bats that my brother had just sent. It was an I13 Major League Maple bat. You can only guess what happened. Yep, that's right folks, after just one swing of the bat it was broken. I guess the only consolation I got was that I got a base hit. I hadn't realized that I broke it until my teammate told me it was broken. I didn't believe him at first, but I looked at the bat and low and behold the handle was cracked. Damn. Oh well. It happens to everybody. I guess I better get used to it. No matter how many bats I break, every time it happens I get pissed. I don't know what it is, whether I feel an attachment to the bat or what, but I always get upset when I break a bat; even if it is a base hit. Anyways, I digress. I ended up scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 8th inning when I scored on a throwing error by the second baseman. We only played 8 innings because of the time limit. After a quick 15 minute break we were back at it with the Cincinnati Reds scout team.
My first at-bat was the best of the day. I took a first pitch curveball right down broadway for a strike. I was ok with it because my timing was right on and I didn't want to swing at a first pitch curveball and roll it over. However, the pitcher thought it would be wise to come back with the same pitch. This time the results were a little different. I saw the pitch right out of his hand and it looked as big as a beach ball. It was like the scene in Rookie of the Year when Henry Roengardner throws the softball slowpitch to the Mets hitter and he licks his chops at how juicy and perfect the pitch looks; except I had the opposite result and didn't strike out like he did in the movie. I took the same stride and then *THWACK!* I knew it was gone the second I hit it. However, there's always that little part of me that doubts it will actually go out, which is why I choose not to showboat and do some stupid bat throw like I'm a big leaguer. That and it's Sunday baseball. We're there to have fun and play the game, not to show guys up and act like we're better than them; even if we are. Haha. Just kidding. Back to the home run, so as soon as I hit it I saw it soar down the left field line close to the foul pole. I was thinking to myself "Please ...just stay fair. PLEASE!" I saw it hooking foul, but luckily it stayed fair long enough and wrapped around the foul pole in fair territory. I don't know if any of you readers out there have been to Jackie Robinson Field at Brookside Park next to the Rose Bowl but its a pretty interesting field. The dimensions are a little mixed up. Left field is 385 feet, center is 365 feet, and right is 345 feet. It was a pretty good shot because there is a building about 60 feet past the left field fence that is used to store the Rose Parade float that stands about 30 feet tall and the ball I hit landed right where the roof meets the wall. I'd guesstimate it to be around 450 feet or so. In addition to the home run I also walked and hit into two fielder's choices.
Overall in 12 games with the Redbirds I'm hitting .364 with 2 home runs, 4 doubles, 8 RBIs, 6 walks, and 5 stolen bases. I have 11 strikeouts in 44 at-bats, which is 1 every 4. It seems like less, but that's what my stats say. I will say that I'm excited to see what happens for next season. I'm trying to get into an Independent League where ever possible. I know I have the tools to play pro ball as an outfielder. I just need somebody to give me a chance. The only thing working against me right now is my age. I'm 24, which in baseball years is getting up there; especially to not have that much experience. However, I'm very optimistic about this transition from pitching to outfield. Everybody keeps saying I'm pulling the Rick Ankiel. Hey, if he can do it then why can't I? The only difference is he's in the big leagues. Who said dreams can't come true?
maples break all the time and any benefit you get from them is severely overstated in my humble opinion. get an ash bat with a few straight grains, take a bone to that sucker and you have yourself a whoopin stick. keep strokin' brotha.
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