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.