Playoff Time for Team Billoneys! Plus Kangaroo Court

     Another excellent day of baseball action. Team Billoneys entered the day with a stellar 4-1 record and the number 2 seed. Our first game of the day was considered a "practice" game since we already clinched our playoff spot. This gave us opportunity to have players play other positions. Earlier in the week Coop asked for any volunteers for catching. I stepped up. So today I made my catching debut. That was a blast. I really enjoyed the banter with the hitters and the Ump. I also didn't embarrassed myself either. I actually made a few plays. A couple of pop ups and a swinging "bunt" that I pounced on with my "cat" like reflexes!!!! Big Mike Aitken made the start and if we made some plays behind him, it would of been excellent. We made some costly errors. Mike pitched well, as did Mark Rowland. At the plate, I went 3-4 with a 2 out bases loaded double to clear the bases. But we lost the game nonetheless.
     The second game was what mattered. Playoff time. We jumped to an early lead in the first and never looked back. Winning 7-1. Will Adkins pitched another gem. I went 1-2 with a sac fly and 2 RBIs. A shout out to Larry Kutzleb for a couple fine catches in left today as well.
     On to the Kangaroo Court. I knew going in I would be "called to the carpet" for this blog. And I wasn't disappointed. The post on the announcement of the coaches was what got me in trouble. Of all the coaches to misspell their names I "picked" The Honorable Doug "Doung" Flynn! I took my medicine and paid a 20 dollar fine. All the proceeds for the court will go to wounded warriors. Another example of what  a classy organization (Reds) this is.
     During the week, on one night each team goes out to dinner as a group. After kangaroo court we all went to Bella Luna. A fine Italian eatery. A great time was had by all. Really enjoyed talking to Jack Billingham. His stories were great. This week has been the best in my life. Thanks again Karen!

A VERY LONG Day of Baseball and Fun! Plus my hit off Mr. Perfect!

      Wow, where to begin? First off Team Billoneys are 4 and 1 so far. Tied for first! That was accomplished by defeating the first place team in the morning game by a score of 3 to 1. Excitement until the final out. With one out in the bottom of the 7th and a man on 3rd, a fly ball to center for an easy catch by Mark Adkins who gunned down the runner trying to tag up and score. Our catcher Mike Hensberry applying the tag on the one hop to him, for a bang bang final out securing the victory! Nick Palmisano earned his second victory.  
     The second game we started out real strong. Equally in part from poor pitching and some real slugging. I led off for the first time in camp. (At this point I want a shout out for our crony "Coop". During morning BP he came around to all of us showing us Pics of Joey Votto, and Jay Bruce. Showing us how they keep their weight back on the back foot. It was a slight adjustment for my part, but what a difference it made. My second round of BP was very solid. Thanks Coop for those visuals!!) Anyway back to the afternoon game. We jumped to a 9 zip lead in the top of the first. Lots off walks and great hits. Will Adkins lead the way with what  should of been a Grand Slam but was called off due to him passing the runner on first? It was ruled he was out, but 3 runs scored. I called it a 3 run Sac Fly! I was able to bat twice in the first inning. At this point, after chasing the starter,and the reliever  "Mr Perfect" Tom Browning came in to put out the fire. After fighting/fouling off a few pitches, I was able to smack a hard grounder up the middle for a base hit to continue the inning. When the inning finally came to a close, everyone told me to have Tom sign the ball for me. Later in the game I asked Tom if he could, and to take a photo with me. Real nice guy. Back to the game again. It was what Marty would describe as a "Titanic Struggle" Final Score 19 to 15! Mark Adkins earned the victory. Tony Maas....well on second thought never mind. Tony believe me, I know how you feel. A 3 hour marathon!
     The Q and A with Walt and Bryan was very good to finish up another day of Baseball Heaven!
P.S. Photos of Tom Browning and myself should posted soon on the Flickr site. Once they are I will update this post.

Q and A with Walt and Bryan

Tom Browning

 

Karen and the Blogger

Pitching Debut UHG! and Bats came alive for Team Billoney but a tough loss plus Bull Session.

Yep that's right I made my pitching debut. Sorry no photos of it since our first game started early and my ace photographer wasn't there at that point. Just as well, it  wasn't pretty. I just went 2/3rd of an inning, walking in a couple of runs. My relief  Nick "Showboat" came it and pitched the rest of the game. We actually won the game 10 to 8. I went 2 for 3 at the plate with a single and a stand up triple. That was great cardio!!!!
The second game we started strong jumping out to  a 6 run lead. I contributed with a two run single. But we couldn't hold on to our lead. We ended up losing 9-6. Hats off to Dave Gehring for coming in for his team for relief and shutting us down. Afterwards the Bull Session was very entertaining. I had a few questions. One each for Ronnie O, Hatch and Herm.That was a wonderful and fun experience.

Lineup Card

Catching my breath after that triple

Bull Session Q and A

Random Thoughts Part 8

Day 2 may or may not bring my pitching debut. I told my team crony  I would try to pitch and I could throw strikes. I pitched plenty of batting practice in the sessions, so I know I can as they say "pitch to contact". Anyway we shall see. I also told him I would catch as well. That will be interesting. Anything to help Team Billoney!

Obligatory Selfie

 

Drills and Team Billoney Takes the Field!

What a First Day!! Words cannot describe it. Everything I imagined and more! The morning consisted of the Drills. Batting, Pitching/Catching, Outfield and Infield. Lunch was when the coaches held the draft to form the teams. I was selected for Jack Billingham/Jim Maloney's team dubbed The Billoneys. Our first game was a pitching duel for the most part. We won 3 to 2! Our pitcher Will Atkins was stellar with 9 Ks!  I was so so  0 for 2 at the plate a K and a fly out. I played both corners 1st and 3rd base and an inning in Right field. Made a decent play on a pop up in foul territory at 3rd base to end an inning. All in all a great first day!

Early morning BP

Pitching Drill

One of my Teammates Jeff Reiss

We Win!

Hot Corner!

Camp Begins!

 

 

Name Tag from last night's Welcome Dinner

The countdown is over! It is time to play ball! Nervous? Yes. Excited? Extremely! A lot more to come...........

Random Thoughts Part 7

     It's 5:39 AM MST. I can't sleep. I'm still on eastern time I guess. So what to do? Post to the blog.
On yesterday's fun at TPC Scottsdale, I've never been to a golf tournament before when upon exiting the grounds some folks were subjected to a breathalyzer! It was truly a week long party there. I've been to a few US Opens before, several other tournaments as well. Nothing I saw there at the Wasted Management Phoenix Open compares to those others. I can see why now it's one of the most popular stops on the PGA tour.
       It still hasn't hit me yet this camp is upon us. We drove by the Reds complex yesterday for a quick look see. Snapped a couple of pictures. It wasn't much different than my time studying the locations here on Google Maps street view. But that all changes tonight and especially tomorrow. I haven't swung a bat in over a week now. Getting pretty anxious!