Red's Fest Reunion Wiffle Ball Game

     Well folks I have come to the end of this wonderful experience. This will be my final post of this blog. Appropriate that it will be post number 50 (My uni number!) As I written before in this space, words cannot adequately describe my entire experience of Fantasy Camp. Sure it was a "Bucket List" thing and all that. But it became so much more. Back in April of 2013 when we decided to go to this camp, I never thought  I would end up joining a true family/fraternity. The truly great people I have met along the way, many now I consider great friends. People have asked me in the months since, how much did the camp cost and all. I have told them what it did cost. I also go on to say it was worth every cent!. It's really hard to put a price tag on everything I took away from this experience. I'd like to think this blog helped promote the Camp and Alumni Association as a small way of giving some of it back. I hope people enjoyed reading/following along on this blog. I had a blast writing it. Even if it cost me a fine at Kangaroo Court! Thanks again to all my new friends that made this "Rookie's" experience something I will never forget.

This wouldn't be a proper blog post without a photo of Doung !

Karen and I, to whom none of this would have been
possible without  her support or permission!!

Jim and I, a great coach!

Of course Jim had some help with Jack!

Camp Reunion Weekend Part 3 (Game at GABP)

What a great time this was. Pretty much the final event of Reds Fantasy Camp culminates with us campers playing a game against each other at Great American Ball Park. As I've written previously, words can't always describe feelings at times. This whole experience from the time I (we) decided to go to camp though all the workouts, ball park tour, obviously the camp itself, to this past weekend. I will never forget any of it. A truly incredible experience. I've met some great people along the way, friendships that will last a lifetime. I would love to go back to camp. After what I experienced, could you blame me? As I've learned from this year, you never know what's going to happen to you. Will I get back to Goodyear? I'm not sure at this point. Even if I don't get back, I can say I did it, and it was one of the coolest things I've ever done in my life, Period. Going to camp is truly joining a fraternity. I want to thank everyone for making this whole experience a pure joy.

I loved my time catching.

Hell! I look like I know what I'm
doing behind the plate!

Me along side all my brothers!

A great way to start a Monday morning.
Getting warmed up in Centerfield.

Two of my Billoney teammates Amy and Jeff

Jeff it's been a pleasure getting to know you and now I consider
you a great friend.

Thanks to Mary Slover for the following images.

Camp Reunion Weekend Part 2 (Red's Game and Dinner)

What a Day! And tomorrow will be better. Us Campers were marched out to the field and introduced before the Reds vs. Braves game on a Sultry August afternoon. It was great to see all my camp buddies. And to top it all off the Reds won 5-3. Afterwards Karen and I went over to Jeff Reiss' house before the reunion dinner. That man has an incredible baseball memorabilia collection to be sure. The dinner at The Farm was nice as well. A lot of money was raised for the Baseball Heaven Alumni Fund. The High light was the auction of the Doug Flynn Bobble Head.

Megan and Stephanie

Jeff points A Unique Bat Collection

Doung and his Bobble Head.

Camp Reunion Weekend Part 1

I'm Back! Not too much to report as of yet. The "unofficial" reunion game that is organized by Ralph Dusing held at St. Henrys was canceled due to too wet conditions on the playing field. I was disappointed to be sure. I wasn't going to play in it since it's still my "rookie" year. I was looking forward to see my "hero's" play. Hopefully next year will be a different story, as I will probably participate in it. There will be a lot more to report in the next couple of days....Stay tuned.

Yep, it's pretty wet!

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!

 

 

Camp Reflections Part 5

   
     It became apparent real quick during that week, how much I missed playing ball, being part of a team. I love to play golf, but golf doesn't quite have that same essence. (Except if you play in a 4 player scramble.) I played softball 15 years or more, but gave it up soon after my daughters were born. Looking back, I guess I should have played some more.
     By the time we made the camp playoffs, The Billoneys were very much a team. I'm especially proud of my two productive outs during that first playoff game. An RBI fielder's choice I hit into, and a sacrifice fly. I never did get a hit off Steve Ritchie during camp. Ironic because I probably faced him more times than anyone else at the Miami Lakes batting practice sessions. That's the difference between practice and the games.
     Kangaroo court was fun. Like I wrote earlier in this blog, I knew this blog would catch up to me. All in good fun and for a great cause. I liked the fact during the court "Doung" recognized us veterans (During the week as well.) Another example of what a class act Doug and everyone else associated with the camp is.
     The team dinner was a definite highlight of the week. The friendships that are formed and maintained during the week is really what defines Fantasy Camp. Sure the baseball is great, especially when you are winning, but the camaraderie is truly special. It's easy to see why guys come back year after year after year. Getting to know Jack and Jim on a personal level was a treat. They are great people. My wife Karen got to meet and chatted with Mrs. Maloney during one of the games. That was pretty cool as well. Sure these guys are Reds Hall of Famers, but getting past the baseball player these guys are regular guys. As Jack said, "We are just real regular folks that had some God given talent."

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Camp Reflections Part 4

    

     The Grand Slam that wasn't. One of the great/notorious plays/stories of this camp. A lot has been said about the Will Adkins shot. The hit itself was a thing of beauty. He said himself when he hit it, he didn't feel a thing. Perfect sweet spot contact. Once in a while when playing golf I know this feeling. As for the aftermath afterwards, it is what it is. I guess it will go down  in the Reds Fantasy Camp annals. My hit off Tom Browning by comparison is small potatoes. But it was still a great moment for me personally. Not just the hit itself,  but all the fouled off pitches leading up to it. I hope I can get that video. Speaking of videos my daughter Megan is really good at putting together and editing videos. I've asked her to work on the ones my wife Karen took at camp. So far no such luck. I showed her an example of what could be done with the proper motivation.......