Hello again folks, it has been a while and time to get back on the blog to update where I stand and what life is bringing.
After a long off-season of running, lifting, and throwing along with spending time with family and friends, it came time to head south again and play ball. I drove the Red Renegade (my red Honda civic) from Coatesville, PA to Dunedin, FL making pit stops in Morehead City, NC to see the Mclaughlin family (my former host family from college summer ball) and in Spring Hill, FL to see Grambo (my grandmother). 1100 miles later I pulled into the Baymont Inn to find BMWs, Jaguars, Escalades, Camaros, and a cup waiting for me...well not me but my urine, proving I had not taken up steroids while separated from baseball. Day 1 was physicals, as I'm sure some readers may remember from last year, the first day is centered around making sure no damaged goods are entering the complex. All went well and I had my uniform waiting for me in my locker. It is good to see so many guys that you haven't seen in months. Kind of like those first couple days when you get back from summer vacation and you have catching up to do. Yes whether it was in Spanish or English, I was doing some talking.
The days start early, waking up at 630 Monday-Saturday (Sunday is our day off, ipso facto Saturday is the night to let down our hair) and being at the field between 7 and 715. Usually I have to get a lift in, which those of you who know me will find rather odd considering I made various declarations of static stretch days in the Temple weight room while in school. However, a new leaf has been turned over and now that it is my job to stay in shape I find it much easier to motivate myself. As I'm sure you can remember, we have our chef cook us breakfast every morning which then follows with some casual conversation in the clubhouse before stretch. Every morning we stretch, condition, and throw. After throwing we do our fundamental for the day (fielding practice, bunt plays, pick-offs, etc.) and then head over to shag BP (batting practice). You gotta love BP in the minors. There is more grab-assing in the outfield than in a dive strip bar. People telling stories, jokes, would you rathers, and when a ball comes in the vicinity, you figure out a way to pick it up with out missing a punch line.
After BP we head into the lunch room where food is waiting for lunch before the games in the afternoon. Every day we play a game against one of the teams that have spring training down here in Florida. We usually make it make to the hotel at about 4 o'clock and have some time to relax before dinner is served and sleep is to be had. My first game was against none other than the Phillies...yes the team I grew up loving and watching. I'm sure you are thinking "that had to awkward" and my response is well yes and no. Do I feel bad getting out their hitters? Hell no. But is it odd to be looking across at the other dug out and seeing phillies uniforms? Absolutely. My first outing went well as they are building me up inning by inning. I went 1 inning with 2 strikeouts (k's) and 0 hits. Not bad for my return to competition.
After a few days of throwing and working on some things, it came time to throw again, and that time was today. I got my first start of the spring, just scheduled to go 2 innings this time against none other than the Yankees. Yes the Yankees. The most unlikeable team in any sport in north America. The team that has more bandwagon jumpers than every other team combined. The team that if Ghandi pitched against, would hit a guy on purpose. Where Navy blue pinstripes are a declaration of war, and what do to me what the color red does to a bull. Even the water, that they hose down the fields with at their complex comes from the marshes and smells like a 5-year old hard-boiled egg that just came from a New York City bum's pocket. Yes it is those scoundrels, those Yankees...now you get how I feel about them? Anyway, when my day was done it read 2 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 5 ks. Not bad I'd say. As we left the Yankees complex, I stuck up my hands with 2 birds from whence we came and a shit-eating grin that would make George Steinbrenner want to slap me.
My arm has felt great since I have been down here, and I know that if I am healthy and continue to feel good, success will continue to come. The reality is that despite the fact the days are fairly long and rather repetitive, I thank the good Lord everyday for giving me another day to play, not to mention for not making me a Yankee. Going to keep working hard and give it my best shot everyday I am given to play. Until next time, keep looking up.
-Ben
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