Day 3 - Let's Play Two!

The day started with much promise.  The sun was rising, the skies to the East were sunny, the clouds were a combination of pink & blue.  However, to the West, gray skies - a foreshadowing of things to come.

Weather - 73 degrees, rain often a deluge at times throughout the day

Morning briefing attended by Clint Hurdle, manager of the Pirates.  He thanked the campers for all their support.  Very humble man - very down to earth, perfect fit for the Pirates organization.  He stayed for the greater part of the morning.  His message was clear, the Pirates were 9 wins short of the goal.  The team has work to do and they know what it is.  They are looking for big things in 2014.

 TJ with Clint Hurdle at Diamond #4

Dave Miller with Clint Hurdle at Diamond #4

Neil Walker was also at Pirate City today.  He took BP in the cages.  The difference between his swing & a campers is highly noticed.  The crack of his bat is like a gun going off and the ball jumps to the back of the cage.  It is every time, very consistent swing.  He was also very appreciative of the campers, and the past Pirate pros.  The care he expressed toward Bill Virdon was a true testimony of character.  Clint Hurdle direction at it's best.

Steve Blass did the morning announcements & fines with his usual precision.  I think I will be on the fine list for Wednesday morning, won't give any details until confirmed.

During the morning stretch Clint Hurdle walked amongst the players, laughed at how some campers couldn't quite stretch like our trainer.  Afterward, he took the time to give autographs and photos with the campers.  I got one with him, congratulated him on a great 2013 season, let him know I was from Michigan, which he responded he grew up in Big Rapids, MI.  Did not know that.  What a class act Clint Hurdle is, with a constant focus on making every aspect of his life better.  A true leader....

The rains came before the morning announcements.  It was a huge downpour.  It totally changed the schedule for the day.  We played on the synthetic field, #3, and cut the games to 4 innings, with the intent to play the afternoon games on the fields, once dry.

That plan worked for a little while.  We played our morning game at 11:30 am.  We won 5-0, I went 2 for 2, 2 runs, 2 RBI.  I made an error on a fly ball, which I ran a ways for, it hit me in the glove finger & dropped (Arrrrgh!)  Should have got those contacts!!!  Missing the normal lunch service.  The staff was nice enough to provide food, which we self-served.  At lunch with Omar Moreno, Rennie Stennett, and Omar's youngest son Jessie.

During lunch, the monsoon struck again.  It was determined that games could not be played on Field #4.  So we sat around waiting to play on the synthetic field.  Bad enough it is Day 3 and your legs are tightening up, but then you have to sit around, only leading to additional discomfort.  Word of the week, is STRETCH.

We played Team Steve Blass in the afternoon, starting around 3:45.  He bragged in the morning announcements how his team won 23-5.  Bad thing to do, as his team lost 2 today.  We took them out 10-2.  I went 2 for 3, 0 RBI, 1 run.  Made two running catches in centerfield.  The change in glasses was a great thing.  See the ball better off the bat & better when tracking pitches.

Things aren't going so good for my room mate Matt.  Team Dave Cash forgot to draft any pitching, so they usually walk in about 4 to 6 runs before recording an out.  He also injured his big toe while pitching, will lose the toe nail.  He caught today and looked like a beast.  Turning a bases loaded nubber into a double play, third to home to first.

Tomorrow we play at the minor league stadium,  McKechnie Field.  We are playing Team Traynor, also 3-0, will be a good test for our team.  Once again we are the last game, meaning we will be last into the clubhouse, for the 3rd day in a row.

Oh yeah, it is sweet to take your dirty uni & cleats - throw it into a hamper - to find it pristine cleaned in your locker in the morning.  I have slid (3) times, getting the nasty red clay on my pants, in the morning gone.  The miracle of modern chemistry never cease to amaze me.

Tomorrow night is the "All American Baseball Cookout" and autograph session.  Plenty of stuff to have signed, can't wait.

Blog post tomorrow might be short..

Too bad this message was never received.  With all the bitter cold in Michigan, I couldn't help myself from sending a note to Deb Lock, which read "Time to go to work!"  My locker mate Marty Kirsch was nice enough to take the photo, it was pure joy working in a uniform every morning...