Cheesy Slide Show Time!

Johnny Bench Q. and A.

The surprise for many of us at Camp was Johnny Bench spending some time with us the first full day of Camp. He was for me (and many of us) growing my favorite Big Red Machine player. So I was obviously thrilled to meet him that day.

My camera wasn't just for the field action Edition (No not in the Clubhouse!)

Sure I brought my camera out to take plenty of game action video. I am currently sifting through a ton of it. There are other videos that are just as cool. On the Monday afternoon of camp. I had it rolling as I walked over to the Team Plant City side of the field as we gathered to stretch before our game with them. I was was able to capture some of the true camaraderie that is constant throughout the week.

Team Louisville aka Team FireBall The Music Video Edition!!

Team Louisville aka Team FireBall The Music Video 

Videos Part 1

I will post and in some cases re-post these videos on this blog for the folks who aren't on
Facebook.

What Matters Most at Camp

Does it really matter that Team Louisville went just 4-5 for the week? Does it matter we finished 7th out of 12 teams? No not at all. What matters most is the fact I've made a bunch of new friends. That's what Reds Fantasy Camp is all about.

Dave and Kyle Gehring

Wayne, Mark Reynolds (our Crony) and Joe

Me

Dave Bush

Team Louisville (aka Team Fireball)

Ray Standafer

Coach Joe Oliver

David Valosek

Dan Howard

Kyle Gehring (Team MVP)

Dave Gehring (Father of our MVP)

Game Ball to Jeff Kristoff

Mark Magee

Dave Foy

Tim Tepe

Wayne Joe and myself

Nick Benge Strikes Out The Side!

My workout mate Mr Nick Benge performed the rare feat of striking out the side during the Pro Game. His victims were Eddie Taubensee, Glenn Braggs and Joe Price! Catching for him was the newest Hall of Famer Tim Farmer.

THE Fantasy Camp Couple: Marilynne and Alan Saliwanchik

This is the same video  I posted on Face Book last week. Good Stuff!!

Congratulations again to Alan, as he was inducted to the Reds Fantasy Camp Hall of Fame this year. A well deserved honor.

OK I'm back home after a great week.

Now that I'm back home with a solid internet connection I can post some really great videos. It's unfortunate it didn't happen last week as the action unfolded, but thems the breaks as they say. So in the coming days and weeks, I shall be posting all kinds of stuff (videos) from my perspective of game action, to the "in between tid bits" that makes Reds Fantasy Camp so much fun.

Techincal Difficulties Please Stand By

Do to some technical issues here at the Hilton Garden Inn, I am not able to post as much as I have liked. I will continue to try,  please stand by. I appreciate your patience. Thanks You. So far this week has been a blast. I have some much to tell soon.

Team Louisville Takes The Field!!

OK this is a little late I know, but Camp days go very quickly. Sunday tryouts are a blast! My camera seems to be working great. When the draft  was complete and the teams were posted there is some excitement. Yours truly was drafted by Team Louisville coached by Joe Oliver and Wayne Granger.

 

Admittedly  we started a little slow out of the gate. We dropped a heart breaker to Team Pensacola Sunday afternoon by a score of 9-8.  Monday morning was even worse, dropping a humbling experience 12 -2 to Team Goodyear. Monday afternoon was another story. We got the "Monkey" off our back with a Titanic struggle victory defeating Team Plant City by a score of 4-2. Kyle Gehring for us and David Parsley for Goodyear pitched great games. This game could have gone either way. 

As it stands currently we have played some strong defense, turning 5 double plays in our 3 games. We also have decent pitching depth. I believe we have the makings of a winning ballclub!

Guest Blogger Steve Ritchie and The Birth of The Dragons Edition!

I first met Steve at those early workouts back in the fall of 2013. It was great he along with Satch and Rob Matheny set those up for the campers, especially us rookies. It was a great way to meet a lot of my fellow campers. Little did I know at the time by meeting Steve would lead me to the Dragons.

As I play in what will be my 8th trip to Reds Fantasy Camp, I can't help but reflect on how things have transpired since my rookie camp in 2005. I had always dreamed of attending fantasy camp and wanted to sign up as soon as I was age 30. Life got in the way for a few years but finally at age 37 I attended my first camp. It's amazing how things have grown since then.

After camp in 2005, I got the bug to play baseball again on a regular basis. Before the camp I had not played since high school age. At camp there was a local guy who had given out his contact info about a baseball league. I reached out to him only to find out the league was on the other side of town; I was hoping for something closer. He then gave me the name of another camper who played in a league close to me who it turns out I met on the plane flight for fantasy camp. Rob Matheny was good enough to get me onto this Tuesday night league team and I've played every year since. This was a very competitive league with many former high school and college baseball players. As the years went on there was a desire to try and play some more baseball.

From playing in the Tuesday night league and getting to know players from other teams we became aware of another local team/organization that sometimes needed subs for their games on Sunday. The team was the Cincinnati Colt 45's and they played in a Roy Hobbs league for ages 45 and up. Rob and I signed up to be subs that year and would fill in when needed. More often it was the other teams that needed players so the Colts would "trade" us to the other team. I really liked the concept of this league, mainly the age 45 requirement, because as we had aged the Tuesday night teams remained young, for the most part.

In 2012, Rob and I wanted to again play but this time be full time players on a Colts team. They actually had two teams. Going into that season we thought we would be on one of those two teams but soon found out that the Colts wanted a third team to join the league. They had gathered names of guys interested in playing so we were all suddenly thrown together. Our team name that year was as generic as our uniforms. We were called Cincy3 and one of the Colts elder players joined our team to be the manager with the understanding that he would switch back to the Colts after the season. The foundation for what would become the Cincinnati Dragons had been poured!

Our first season we ended up losing in the playoffs to a Colts team that eventually lost to a Dayton team in the championship. That season we even had former Cincinnati Reds player Eddie Milner on our team and it was truly a great experience to play with him and see him roaming centerfield again.  At the end of that season I agreed to become the manager for this new team heading into 2013.

 I quickly realized that we were going to need more ballplayers so I started asking/begging other Reds fantasy campers to come play with us and also found some more talented players. We assembled a great team and won the division with a 12-4 record. We won the Cincinnati division title and also brought home the World Series championship by beating the Dayton division winners. Heading into the 2014 season we were looking for a repeat and also scouting for more players. From attending more fantasy camps and by holding the pre-camp batting practices I was able to find more guys to come play with the Dragons. Our 2014 season found us playing for the division title but we came up short. A Dayton team ended up winning the world series.

2015 was another growth year for our Roy Hobbs league. Again, with all of us aging, there was a desire from other teams to create a new league for ages 53 and over. After some lengthy thought and discussions, we decided to split our Dragons and field two teams (45's and 53's). This was a difficult decision because we had a great lineup but also realized we had too many guys playing for us. There was one game where we had 17 guys show up to play! I will say that all our Dragons players are good guys and will share playing time for the good of the game. We also bat everyone (just like fantasy camp) so some days you may have only batted twice. We felt we could split our roster and still be able to field two competitive teams so we did which would give everyone more playing time and at bats. This would also allow us to grow by adding new players.

The 2015 season for both Dragons teams went well. The 45's and 53's teams both ended up playing for the championships but both just fell short of winning it all. The team even helped purchase new alternate jerseys.

Over the years great friendships have been made and it all started as a wide eyed rookie at Reds Fantasy Camp. Heading into the 2016 Roy Hobbs season I'm proud to say that we have 24 guys on our rosters that have attended at least one fantasy camp. We also have a number of guys that are looking to join. I'd also be interested in adding another team in the younger 35's division to become a feeder for the older Dragons teams. I'd love to speak with anyone who thinks they can pull together a team for the 35's division.

Finally, if you are on Facebook you may want to consider joining our group "Cincinnati Reds Fantasy Camp". You can find us at this link and then just ask to join the group.

www.facebook.com/groups/redscamp

Steve Ritchie

2013 HOF

Guest Blogger Greg Gajus Sunday Morning Tryouts Edition!

I met Greg as a follow rookie two years ago. He has written in the past for Redleg Nation Blog. He has graciously offered to write his views of the Sunday Morning Tryouts. It is the how camp opens with baseball activities.

Fantasy Camp Sunday

One of the most anticipated days of camp is the first one on Sunday morning, when we start with one of the best moments of camp – seeing a Reds jersey hanging in a locker with your name on the back.  That is followed by stretching (essential and painful) and three hours of what is called “Practice Drills/Stations” in the program.  This three hour session gives the pros a chance to assess our “talent” (using that term very loosely) and gives the campers numerous opportunities to try too hard to impress the coaches and injure themselves before the first pitch.  Through the magic of Mike McFarland’s miniature hat cam, you can check out the video of what it was like at each station.

Hitting – For most of us, this is probably our favorite station, because this is the one skill that almost every camper gets to practice before camp.  Tom Hume pitches from behind a screen about 30 feet from the plate, and a strong performance can improve one’s draft position.   It is said that hitting a baseball is the hardest thing in sports, and many of us would agree.  Veteran tip – if you are shagging balls in the outfield, pay attention to the batter, not who you are chatting with.   Chance of injury – low (unless you ignore the previous tip). 

Pitching – Under the watchful eye of Jack Billingham, Don Gullett and Ted Power, our pitching aptitude is evaluated.  The ability to throw strikes is highly valued by the pros, and for many of us it is an opportunity to realize 60 feet, 6 inches is a really long way to accurately throw a baseball.  Jack Billingham’s coaching advice to the catchers – “don’t throw it back to the pitcher faster than he threw it’” The session ended with several jokes that are not suitable for a family blog.  Chance of injury – low (unless you are catching).

Infield – Fielding ground balls and throws on a regulation infield are skills that are not frequently practiced in the days leading up to camp.  Ron Oester and Bobby Wine coached the infielders (“stay down, move your feet, field the ball in front of you”).  During my session, Johnny Bench stopped by to give tips to the first basemen (“don’t commit too soon, and don’t be afraid to come off the base to get the ball”).  Chance of injury – moderate

Outfield Flies – this is the highlight (or lowlight) of the morning session, as there is no good way to practice catching major league fly balls in Cincinnati in December. Billy Hatcher and Glenn Braggs supervised this station and uses a Jugs gun to shoot line drives and fly balls to each camper.  The first one is usually fairly easy, but after that it gets exciting.   Combine major league fly balls, a cloudless Arizona sky, a total lack of practice at this skill and 50+ year old legs can turn this station into one long blooper reel.  For me, the hang time of some of these balls feels like the run time of Stairway to Heaven.  Hitting a baseball may be the hardest thing in sports, but for campers catching a fly ball is much more challenging.  Chance of injury – moderate.  Chance of embarrassment – extremely high.

After going through the stations, the campers break for lunch, and the pros meet for the draft.  By 1:30p, we find out who our coaches are, who are teammates are, who can play where, and by 2pm, we are on the field for the first game.   And the anticipation begins again…

Alice Cooperstown

P

 

I heard from several people that on the Saturday travel to day, that it's a tradition of campers to meet at Alice Cooperstown once folks get into Phoenix before heading out to the hotel for lunch. Well here we are. A good time was had by all.

The Eve of Departure

As I check my list for packing my gear and necessities for Camp sitting here at "Mike's Bar", I have created a dilemma for myself and my "Man Cave". I really don't have anymore room to add to my already crowded "Reds Shrine" wall. The 2014 camp provided a lot of material for it last year, when I painted and reconfigured the "Cave". Fellow camper and part time Dragon teammate Tom Brown told me awhile back, you are never finished with the Man Cave. He was correct. There are always things to add and rearrange. I'm sure I'll figure it out. I'll probably just "annex" another wall or something.

Important Safety Tip Number 1: Stay behind the Screen!!

In our final workout last night before camp at HITS indoor baseball, we were reminded of a important safety tip for all you youngsters (i.e.) rookies out there!! Stay behind that screen when pitching BP. My buddy Nick Benge almost got his head taken off by this here blogger!!!! Actually Satch has called this the"Mike McFarland rule". I took one in the shoulder a couple of years ago. Needless to say I learned a somewhat painful lesson!

Guest Blogger Satch Coletta Edition!

I first met Satch at those early workouts at Miami Lakes in the fall of 2013. He immediately took us rookies "under his wing", telling us stories and what to expect at Camp. I didn't know it right away, but we were already kindred spirits as being Elder Panther alums. (The whole Elder thing is another story believe me.) A great friend, and a great friend to all us campers. A true ambassador for Reds Fantasy Camp. It was especially gratifying to see him inducted in the Reds Fantasy Camp Hall of Fame that year as well. Satch has also wrote down this thoughts as we get closer to Camp. Thanks Satch!

              As a veteran going to camp for the 7th time, I would echo the earlier comments provided by the previous bloggers. I missed one year (2010) and it was the longest week of the year knowing what was going on at Fantasy Camp.  I would like to add a few thoughts for the rookies. First of all, the only pressure you will feel is what you put on yourself as you will see what team togetherness and spirit really is regardless of your ability level.  I would tell you that you may want to bring some “Skin So Soft” as you will probably be teased or fined in Kangaroo Court. (Translation – The teasing or the joking will be affectionate malice and all done in good spirits.)

This is also more than a one year adventure as you will meet and make new friends that will last a lifetime. Baseball teams have been formed and all are welcomed to the Baseball Heaven Alumni Association. You will hear more about this great organization and what we (including you)  do to spread the great game of baseball.

It takes a lot of people to make Fantasy Camp the wonderful thing it is. Rick Walls, Megan Hewett and the Reds lead the camp as you know. The Pros, the Cronies and the Camp participants are front and center but others do great things to make the camp special.  Special kudos to the trainers and clubbies! Steve Baumann and the trainers are a God send to the players as they keep the walking wounded healthy enough to complete the week. The Clubhouse guys have everything in your locker every morning and are there from the start of the day until the end of the day.  Kent Weaver and the video crew and photographers document the week for us. They do a great editing job!

During the reunion weekend, there is a dinner and program on Sunday night of the reunion weekend. Family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend. (This is not put on by the Reds but the Baseball Heaven Alumni Association.) There will be more information on this event and that information will be given to you while we are in Arizona.

As a final note I would say that as we grow older and our abilities weaken from year to year, that reality is countered by the friendships that strengthen year to year.  To the Veterans, it will be great to see all of you again. To the Rookies, plan on one of the finest weeks you have ever had.

Satch Coletta

More workout video.

Dick Durand

Steve Ritchie

                                                                             Me

Scott Hensley

Guest Blogger Jeff Reiss Edition!

Jeff and I first met as wide eyed "rookies" back in the fall of 2013 entering that winter's Camp of 2014. We met at Miami Lakes at the first off many workouts that the veterans organized to which we are both thankful. We struck up a friendship that will last us the rest of our lifetimes. He has shared his thoughts from our Championship winning Camp 2 years ago.

Reflections Of My Fantasy Camp Experience And What It Has Meant To Me

I hadn't played organized baseball since June, 1964 when in April, 2013 my cousin, Amy Wilson, coaxed me into joining her for the Cincinnati Reds' 2014 edition of Baseball Heaven. Even with almost an entire year to prepare mind and body, I couldn't imagine my eight-day experience in February, 2014 would become as enjoyable, as fulfilling, and as unforgettable as it did.

Amy was one of only three women who had participated in 2012 and had expressed her desire to return so strongly that I decided to join her. Little did I realize at the time that I wasn't just accompanying my younger cousin whom I had coached 35 years earlier, but I would be joining a fantastic fraternity and family, and making lasting friendships that have transcended interests beyond just baseball.

From the very beginning I was greeted warmly and made to feel at home by the Reds' organization. Stephanie Ben and Megan Hewett were consistently informative, accomodating and caring. Later, at organized workouts, my apprehensions were eased by some of the veteran campers, most notably but not limited to Satch Coletta, Steve Ritchie, Bill Summe, and Rob Matheny. By the time I reached camp, all my questions had been answered, most of my nervousness had been dismissed, and all that remained to do was ingest the atmosphere, get drafted, and play ball.

And play ball we did! The outstanding coaching strategies of Jim Maloney, Jack Billingham, and Marc Cooper combined with the stellar performances and clutch contributions of teammates Mike Aitken, Mark Adkins, Will Adkins, Ron Beck, Mike Hensberry, Larry Kutzleb, Tony Maas, Mike McFarland, Nick Palmisano, Mark Rowland, Amy Wilson, and Yours Truly proved to be the perfect recipe for a 7-2 record and the 2014 championship.

Although my team won the championship by a score of 11-10 in a most memorable final game, what I cherish most are the friendships that have blossomed and grown with so many people whom I didn't even know before I registered to play. Fellow rookies Mike McFarland, Donnie Glass, Will Scott and I could not have been helped more and treated with more respect than we were by the local veteran campers and everyone else associated with Reds Fantasy Camp. Today I count all Fantasy Campers among my friends, I count several of them among my good friends, and I count one of them among my best friends. Fantasy Camp also gave me the opportunity to share yet another experience with my cousin Amy that I will never forget!

I consider Friendships, Fraternity, Family, Fun, Excitement, Teamwork, Comraderie, and Common Interests key words and phrases to describe my connection with Cincinnati Reds Fantasy Camp. It truly was one of the best total experiences of my life!

Jeff Reiss-2014

Guest Blogger Dick Durand Edition!

Dick has offered his thoughts to the blog. I've been catching him throughout our pre-camp workouts this fall/winter  A Great Guy!

The butterflies in my stomach have reappeared therefore it means that Fantasy Camp is just around the corner. Even after 23 camps I feel like a rookie again and know that sleep will be impossible the night before we start. The biggest change I notice from year to year is that the mind becomes more and more willing but the body less and less. Everyone just needs to remember to play within yourselves and not try to be the hero the first couple of days. You will have plenty of chances to "damage" your body.. ahh but it is a good feeling (most of the time!)! This year will be a special year for me for two reasons, first it will mark my return to the playing field after a two year lay off due to neck surgery and secondly it will mark the return, after a three year absence of my son in law MSgt. Daniel "Fisch" Fischbach USMC, to the field of play. It is a great opportunity for Dan and I to spend some time together and it goes too fast.

Really the highlight of the week is being able to see all the friends that have been made over the past years, and with some it is the only time of year I get to see them. After a short while it becomes just like old times. You remember the baseball but what you remember the most are the new friends you made and the relationships you have developed with other campers and the pros. That is the gift that keeps on giving. I am very fortunate to be able see several of them during the off season.  For the rookies, take the week all in as much as you can as it will be over before you know it. It will be a week that you will never forget. I look forward to seeing everyone soon. Thank you to Mike McFarland for doing this great blog.

Guest Blogger Mike "Goldie" Goldshot Edition

This year I wanted to add some more content to the blog. Some different perspectives of Reds Fantasy Camp. I've lined up several guest bloggers who have or will graciously given their time to add  some of their views, and thoughts of Reds Fantasy Camp. First one up is Goldie. A Twenty plus year veteran. He certainly made me feel very welcome 2 years ago when I first signed up for Camp.



 

It is hard to believe that we are only a few days from being in Goodyear and playing baseball and hanging out with our friends.

To the rookies, I encourage you to not be intimidated when you walk into the welcome banquet and see all of the guys hugging each other and high fiving etc--it's all about the camaraderie--by Monday you will be doing the same thing with your new friends.

Rookies--enjoy every moment-sit on that bench and just think what you would be doing if you were not playing baseball and hanging with the pros that you most likely idolized as a kid--just stop and enjoy it because the week will go way too fast BUT your memories will last forever.

This will be one of the greatest weeks of your life and you will go home telling everyone and I do mean everyone who will give you any time at all what a great experience you were able to enjoy.

So, I will see you in Goodyear and wish you safe travels!

Goldie

The 2016 Reds Fantasy Camp Coaches have been Announced! No Doung Flynn Edition!!

Yes Megan earlier today posted the 2016 Fantasy Camp Coaches list. I look forward to meeting them all. Since it was a straight cut and past of the Megan's Face Book post, there shouldn't be any misspellings of any Coach's name especially the Commish's The Honorable Doug Flynn!
Click on the name to go to that Coach's Baseball Reference Page.


Todd Benzinger

Jack Billingham
Glenn Braggs
Tom Browning

Rawly Eastwick

Doug Flynn - Commissioner

Wayne Granger

Danny Graves

 Don Gullett

Chris Hammond

Billy Hatcher

Tommy Helms

Tom Hume

Jim Maloney

Corky Miller

Ron Oester

Joe Oliver

Ted Power

Joe Price

John Riedling

Ron Robinson

Eddie Taubensee

Brett Tomko

Bobby Wine

Herm Winningham

Dmitri Young