So I have been in Tampa for 2 1/2 weeks and it hasn't been as glorious as Vancouver. Everyday is up at 6:30 and at the field ready to start rehab at 7. We get 3 good meals a day from the chefs still but its just not the same. No fans at these games and the weather is hotter than hell. But hey, if that hot weather is the worst thing, life aint that bad. Rehab is coming along alright, I'm throwing now on the rehab program, I go back to 90 ft soon and then keep moving quicker from there. We have off every Sunday and games every other day, I just go and watch them. It is weird watching the games, because every team wears the same jerseys that all the big league teams wear at spring training. When we play the Phillies, I have to catch myself rooting for them and realizing, wait a sec we are playing them. I still root for the Big League team of course, but I have to root for the Blue Jays everywhere else, after all they do pay the bills. I live with a couple Spanish guys, my spanish is getting better everyday, I really am getting pretty good at it. The Dominican guys look to me for help with their english because they have class twice a week at the Complex, but it just benefits my Spanish. My arm feels pretty good, it hurt early in the week when throwing but with the help of a good old English breakfast consisting of eggs and advil, it gets the job done. I'm hoping I am back to Vancouver by August 13th, that would be perfect because that is when my family and Kelsey are supposed to visit.
This week a got packages from my parents and Kelsey. It was great to see that because it reminds me of home. They are the best. My parents sent some books and other things, and Kelsey sent me a box full of my favorite snacks and candies along with a brand new pair of Oakleys that I can wear at the complex and during the games. Its great stuff for sure.
My most recent adventure was last week in Tampa. Saturday night we (and by we I mean myself, and 3 dominican buddies) went to a place called Round Up, a country bar in Tampa where the dress code is some sort of jean bottom (and even top sometimes) and cowboy boots for most. Well none of us own much other than sneakers or flip flops so we made due. We arrived and well I can't say we stuck out like sore thumbs...no no...we stuck out like a fart in church. Nonetheless, after a few drinks everyone is always friends and we had a good time. We took to the dance floor in an attempt to line dance and square dance...epic failure, it didnt stop us from having a good time (especially the dominican guys), but if I were to describe the scene I would say it closely resembled the bar scene from the movie Cool Runnings where the Jamaican bobsled team heads to the bar in Canada. If you havent seen it, you should, I'm sure it is probably on Youtube. Anyway, we had a great time, one thing about the Dominican culture or really any of the Caribbean cultures is that happiness is never ending, and fun is always to be had, naturally, it is easy to have it rub off on you. It is especially easy for some of the guys to have fun when they have $2.8 million hanging out in the bank. Now I'm not saying everyone does but a few have that kind of chunk of change, even more incredible is some of these kids are 17 or so. The guys I was with are all 21 or older, but money isnt generally a thing...must be nice, but kudos to them, they are all great dudes and you would never know it by the way they live life.
Life is good though, no complaints, I'm living my dream and love every second of it. I'm working hard and am going to keep doing it so I can get back on the field ASAP. Keep looking up.
-Ben
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