Camp Reflections Part 6

  

Thanks to Mary Slover for this photo.

       I knew the week at camp would be a blur. My wife Karen told me a few weeks before camp to try to slow down during the week and take it all in. It was good advice. I was able to do just that at certain points. During games when I wasn't out in the field I was able to sit in the dugout and "smell the roses" sort to  speak. The thing is I'm not sure if I'll make it back to camp. I certainly would like to (As most of us rookies would.) But nobody knows what the future will hold. Not to mention future financial obligations. I had the opportunity to go to this year's camp. I like to think I made the most of it during the week.
     One of the things I've been doing since being back from camp is telling folks who ask what was camp like is how cool the daily routine was. You get up and get on the shuttle to go to the Reds complex....You grab some breakfast.....You have a nice soak in the hot tub.....You get dressed in that uniform......You hit the cages for batting practice... You play baseball all day......You hit the cold/hot tubs again, this time with some cold beer.... I had one of my coworkers remark, "Hell, that's what everyday should be like!
     Once we got to Thursday's semi finals my quads were pretty sore. My soak in the hot tub was spent by those big jets pounding my legs. The game itself was another back and forth affair. My quad re tightened during the game and I had one of the trainers work it for me. Hat's off to those guys. How many of owe them a big thank you for getting us through the week. I was able to get back into the game and contribute a key two out 2 rbi game tying single. Another camp highlight for me. Another victory for the Billoneys.
     During the Championship game, I have to admit I was nervous, especially towards the end. I was able to get another key 2 out  rbi single, but it was another close game. Once we reached the top of the 7th with the 11-10 lead lead I had that "nervous knot" in my stomach. I can't remember the last time I had  that feeling for something I was participating in. (I get it plenty of times watching the Reds and etc.) When Ron made that CATCH running into Mike and knocking over Coop, it was surreal. The last time I won anything this big I was 12! And that's exactly how I felt. Like a big kid! A truly wonderful feeling.

Champs!

The Catch!