It went all too quick! (As it always does)

 

Team Indianapolis

No, we didn't win the Camp Championship this time around? Does it matter? Not really. Did I make new friends? Absolutely! That's what it's all about, the fraternity this camp truly is. Team Indy for what it's worth finished 3-5-1. Record wise, the worst I've had at camp. Not that it matters. Team Dinners, hanging out at the fire pit, just the general sense of the brother/sisterhood is all that matters. Baseball wise I do feel I need to be able to make contributions to the team. To be the best team player I can possibly be.  At the awards Banquet, I was honored to be selected as Team MVP. That really hasn't sunk in yet. For my teammates to think that much of me is very humbling. As the weeks go by and I sift through more photos and videos. I will have more to say about all of this. I love being part of The Cincinnati Reds Fantasy Camp. These experiences are a treasure. I love this family.

A true honor to be named MVP

Busted Again at Kangaroo Court!

 

The Honorable Corky Miller

The Tough Judge Doug.

Every year! Once again, I got busted at Kangaroo Court. I really don't mind at all. We raised with the match over 50K on Wednesday night for the Hope for the Warriors foundation. My infraction was pitching 6 inches in front of the pitching rubber. I gladly paid that fine. It's another camp highlight filled with highlights.

Guilty as Charged!

Bull Session

I could listen to Jim's stories for hours on end

 

Another cool thing at Camp is the Bull Session with all the Coaches and Marty. Always interesting to hear the stories and opinions on a lot of Base Ball stuff. I always have a question or two about whatever. I asked about Salary Cap and for Doug, what was it like breaking in with the Big Red Machine. He said  he had the best seat in the house watching that great team!

Marty doesn't hold back

Team Indy played it's Heart Out.

 

    Playoffs! Now it gets serious. As the 7th seed we played the 10th seed which was Team Cincinnati. I was asked to take the hill. I told our crony Dan. I'll give us what I have out there. My pitching philosophy is super simple. Throw strikes, try not to walk too many and pitch to contact, let the guys behind me do the rest. I tend to induce ground balls. I did just that. We won 2 Zip as I threw for the complete game shutout. Definitely something I didn't see coming. 

    Things got a lot tougher in the second-round quarter finals against the 2 seed Team Plant City lead by the strong as always Pedro's pitching. We started off with a run in the first. We had the tying run at the plate in the top of the 7th with a mini rally going but ultimately lost 8 to 4. So out of the tournament. It was a great effort on our part, but it sucks coming up short. On Thursday we play for fun. Hey, we are still playing baseball!!

"Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win" with a great Team Dinner

 Camp's 3rd day was once again up and down, baseball wise. We had some opportunities in the morning game against Team Chattanooga, but we couldn't push enough across the plate. We lost 4 to 3. I took the bump for the first time this season. I was pleased by my effort, going the full 7 innings. Pitched well enough to keep the team in the game.

Ice pack to the rescue!

Team McFarland this week. Karen makes this all happen for me!

            

In the second game things got better. We beat Team Dayton by the identical score 4-3. So going into playoffs as the 7th seed with a record of 2-3. Come Wednesday it gets serious!!

We had our Team dinner at Twin Peaks. We all had a great time getting together doing this camp tradition, It makes it so worth it with all the soreness to have time well spent with old and new friends.

Team Indy

Photo Day and "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose"

Photo day. I got a lot of comments on my Jersey hoodie I brought to camp this year. It was chilly so I wore it for the photos. 

Me and the Coaches

Military Veterans at Camp

The Whole Gang!

Got our first win of Camp Monday morning. Beating a good Team Sarasota 7-6, behind some timely hitting and a good defense as displayed by this play by Steve Sliter bringing it to the plate for the 1st inning's last out.

In the afternoon we got clobbered by Team Goodyear. I did have a nice 2 out 2 run single early on in the game. "Baseball is supposed to be hard" said the great Jimmy Dugan. "That's what makes it great."

Sunday Morning "Tryouts" and Team Indianapolis Takes The Field

 We finally were able to get on the fields early Sunday morning for the Camp Tryouts. Beautiful green fields and glorious sunshine greeted us at the Reds complex. It always fun to put on the Reds uniform once again!

The Commish giving us some infield pointers

Tom Englehart had a message for Karen to get out here and play with us as we were shagging fly balls.

Durning the lunch break the coaches and cronies held the team drafts. Always an interesting process.

I was selected to be on Team Indianapolis coached by Ron "The True Creature" Robinson and Todd Benzinger. My teammates include 

Kathy McIntosh, Mark Breining, John Clark, Scott Hensley, Father Son duo of Mark and Luke Jellison, Jack Mullikin, Anthony Riese, Brothers Jeff and Steve Sliter and finally Mike Weckbach.

We got off on slow start in our first game, losing to a solid Team Billings team 8 to 3, lead by the solid pitching of Sean Moses. We really had one bad inning with some defensive lapses. We should be able to clean that up. (Hopefully). I was satisfied with my plate performance, going 2 for 3 with an RBI.