Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Action Packed Off Weekend

This weekend we didn't have any games. So I headed up on Friday to see my friend Joe in Vienna. We were planning on going somewhere but he had to work a softball tournament on saturday. So we decided to just stay around Vienna. On Sunday there was a Japanese slow pitch softball tournament at the fields. Hiro ,Joes Roommate, was playing for a team but he had leave around 1. They were short on players and asked Joe and I if we wanted to play. It was so much fun playing in it. He played short and I got to play third. They do some cool things before the game starts both teams line up facing each other and you bow each other. You do it before and after the game. I borrowed a Ichiro shirt from Hiro for the day, so thats what they called me all day. I hit a home run my first at bat but it was my only one of the day. Our team won the championship and we got some good prizes. We got sticky rice, noodles, and Japanese beer. After the game they invited us over for a cook out. I am a huge fan of Japanese food, so I was really excited. Joe and I ate till we hurt, they just kept putting more food in front of us. They were really nice and welcoming. The hospitality has been great every where we have been.

The softball team where Joe plays got two american players this week. Amber and Mandy are both from Alabama and played at UAB. So on Monday after we finished our running and throwing, we took them to the amusement park which is walking distance away. Its different then the ones back home because here you pay per ride. You can just walk into the park. I think Joe rode almost every ride there. I think he'll be spending a lot of time there this summer. Its pretty cool to see how God works. Mandy and Amber are from the state next to Joe and I, then we meet in Vienna Austria. Its nice to have some other people here that like country music and also say "Y'all". I am excited to see what this summer has in store for us.

This weekend we play Joe's team at his field. Its kinda funny to think about two kids that went to high school only 3 miles apart are going to be pitching against each other in Austria this saturday. We have been playing against each other for almost 10 years now. Its going to be a fun series since we are playing one game Friday and one Saturday. Friday will be played under the lights which is so much fun. There is just something special about it. For as good as friends that Joe and I are, come saturday at 4:00 that all goes out the window. The competitive fiber in you comes out and you don't want to lose, no matter who you are facing.

Monday, May 21, 2012

First Sweep

Saturday was a good day for the Diving Ducks. We swept the Cubs who are in first place and only had one loss prior to Saturday. Clemens started the first game and went the distance. It was the first time this year that we won game 1. I didn't get to play the outfield because of the rule where only one import can play at a time. So I got to pay more attention to their hitter and remember how to pitch to them. In game 2 I started off the game throwing 24 straight strikes. I only needed 95 pitches for 9 innings of work. I gave up 1 run and had 11 k's with no walks. It was a big win for us since their import pitcher was undefeated coming into the day. It felt really good to win both games on the day. I think we surprised a lot of people around the league by winning both. We have a off week this weekend, so I think my buddy Joe and I are going to go some where and do some sight seeing. I just think its cool how God worked everything out with us both being here and being able to play. It's nice to have a good friend only 25 minutes away by train. Today we are going to go to a amusement park here. I'll make sure to take some pictures to put on here. I want to give a shout out to one of my best friends Officer Adam Bradley, hope your doing good scrub.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Playing for Mom

It was a little cold and windy at yesterdays game. We ended up splitting with the Indians. I got to start in right in the first game. For some reason the wind decided to change direction on us and was blowing straight out to right. The first pop up that I caught, when it was hit I thought it was right at the second basemen but the wind took it a lot farther. One of their best hitters hit a ball that one hopped the wall. He tried turning his double into a triple. So as soon as I picked up the ball I just threw it as hard as I could toward third and our shortstop did a great job of relaying it on to third. The throw beat him there by about 4 steps. I didn't have the best day at the plate yesterday. I was 0-4. Which happens in baseball but the thing that I was most upset about was my third at bat. I had a 3-0 count and swung at the next pitch, in which I hit a weak grounder to third. What was I swinging at, I know better then that. That won't happen again this season. For some reason we had trouble hitting their pitcher who wasn't that good. Game 2 was a different story. They tried to trick us by using some slower pitching to start the game. Which didn't really work out for them since it quickly became 6-0. They brought in their import pitcher, who we ended up scoring 6 runs off of. We ended up scoring 14 run in the game. I had one of my better days on the mound. I went 8 innings had 14 k's (strikeouts) 1 walk 3 hits. I got to talk to my mom on the phone this morning to wish her a happy mothers day. I am so blessed to have the Christian mom that I have. She has always been there for me to talk to and vent to about stuff. She is always there to lift me up and tell me how proud of me she is. She has always wanted the best for me. I wish she could have been there at the game yesterday to see me play. One thing that I know I got from her is her competitiveness. We both hate to lose, no matter what it is. Some people are just born with this, it really can't be taught to someone. This gene skipped my sister, sorry nicki. God blessed her in many other ways. I thank God every day for giving me a mom that has showed me what a Christian wife is supposed to be like. I love you very much mom and can't wait to see you.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Still Can't Believe

As I was eating dinner tonight I just thought to myself where I was and what I was doing. I'm in Austria playing baseball. I never thought I would be living my child hood dream in another country. I am very blessed to be here and still be able to put on a uniform. I won't take one game for granted. A kid a year old then me from my high school passed away last week due to tumers that came back. His family wrote this "will passed away at 620 and at 621 he started playing baseball". He loved baseball it was his passion. After I read that it brought me to tears. Not because I was sad but because I knew he was doing what he loved to do again. Maybe one day well pitch against each other. So never miss a opportunity that presents its self to you. God might not open the door all the way but if he cracks it and you feel like its where God is leading you go after it 100%.
Today I got to help with the younger teams. I love coaching little kids baseball. They are so into it and try so hard. They never complain about anything. You can tell which little kids love to play when they are little. There's a kid back home that I gave pitching lessons to named Charlie Jordan, he reminds me a lot of myself. I hope that one day after I'm done playing I get to coach him. If he works hard and stays focused he'll be pretty good player someday. You can just tell he loves being out there.
I had a blast with my buddy in Vienna. One of the players from his team offered to be our tour guide. He knew so much information about the city and buildings. It was really pretty to see all the old buildings and church's It just amazes me how they built such huge buildings so long ago. We went to see the avengers which was really good by the way. It was nice to just talk to a friend from back home. We talked about how cool it is the way God works. We both agreed that this is where God wants us to be. I look forward to what God has in store for us this summer. I hope everyone has a blessed day.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Sitting at 500

Yesterday we split again against the Tigers. We have had a few injuries and guys have some personal things come up. So our team doesn't have much depth right now. But when we get to full strength we will be really hard to beat. I started in leftfield in the first game. I missed two sliding catches out there, which made me pretty upset. I know first hand what it's like to be pitching your butt off and have to get more then three outs in a inning. On a positive note I got my first hit on the season. I stuck out my first at bat. He threw me a really good curve ball and I just watched it go by. All you can do is tip your hat and think that's not going to happen again. In my second at bat there was runners on second and third with two outs. I knew walking up there that I owed it to our pitcher to get those runs in. So with a 1-1 count he threw me a change up away and I just slapped it past the second basemen. I was pretty fired up when I got to first getting my first hit and also 2 RBI(runs batted in). In my third at bat I hit a ground ball the the left side I don't know who fielded it or if they bobbled it but I beat the throw. It felt good to get back on the bases and getting to slide again. When I was a little kid I would dive just to get dirty. I'm sure my mom wasn't happy about that but I always wanted people to know I played. We ended up losing 7-6 late in the game. As I was getting ready for game two I looked at my uniform and it was probably the dirtiest I have ever been pitching. The first run started a little rough for me. Do to a few hits and misplayed balls they scored three runs. Me team picked me up scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the first. After that I decided that they were not going to score again. They score one more off a misplayed fly ball to right. I threw the complete game and picked up the win. I felt stronger as the game went on. I had my first two walks of the season yesterday. I think my walk to strike out ratio is pretty good right now. Tomorrow I'm going into Vienna to see my friend. I think we are going to see The avengers. He found a English movie theater there, which works out for us. I'm really enjoying my time here and feel this is where God wants me to be. I hope everyone has a blessed day.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

For Love of the Game.

I just finished watching the movie For Love of the Game. This is one of my all time favorite movies. It got me thinking about what I love to do. Pitching is truly my passion in life. I love being on that bump, nothing else in the world matters when you are out there. Everything just goes away and it's just you against the batter. It comes down to who worked harder, who wants it more. I have been told before that I have good mound presents. Which means you don't show emotion on the mound, whether your pitching a perfect game or have given up 10 runs. It also means you exude confidence while your out there. My confidence not only comes from my hard work but more importantly from God. As it is written in my hat "For whom shall I fear". This comes from psalm 27:1. For when he is with you nothing should scare or intimidate you. He'll never give you more then you can handle, you just have to trust in him. He didn't say the road was going to be easy or always fun. But when you get to the mountaintop the view is that much better knowing the hardships you had along the way. And if you trip and fall along the way know that he will be there to help you up and say we can do this together my child. If you cant walk anymore on your own he will carry you the rest of the way. Always trust in his plan.