Birthday in Austria

I would have never guessed that I would spend my 25 birthday in a forgiven country. But it's something that I can tell my kids one day. Everyone always asks what did you do? Well I got to do what I love, I got to play baseball. The one thing that would have made it better was going to Japanese steakhouse with my family. We can do that when I return home. My Austrian family definitely made me feel special. Jan and Armin got me a Austrian army knife, which is awesome. I love knifes and will never be able to buy myself one of theses again. I sent a picture to my buddy officer Adam Bradley and he was pretty jealous of it.  After practice they had a cake waiting for me, which was really good. It was a surprise for sure.  I got to talk to my grandparents on my birthday too, my Dad talked them through using a calling card and calling me on my Austrian phone. It was good to hear their voices.  I also got a few birthday cards in the mail which was nice to hear from people back home. I  got a package from my friend Steph, which was perfect timing because that day I was kinda bored and starting to miss home. It was the perfect pick me up. It's cool to see how God uses little things to bring us joy. One week from today we start playoffs, it feels like its been weeks since we have played a game. I can't wait to get back out there and do what I love. Thanks again for all the birthday wishes. I can't wait to get back and celebrate with everyone. .

Ducks Finish 3rd

We finally know that we got third place this season and will be heading to the playoffs to play against the A's.  They don't start till the 15th of September to we still got some time off . We have split with them both times we played them so it's going to be a good series to start off the playoffs. They are a best of 5 and the higher seeded team get to choose where they want to play the first two games at home or away.
   This past week I got to work a baseball camp. I love working with little kids, they have so much fun playing. I love seeing the smile on a kids face when he throws a strike after making an adjustment. This reminds me of a quote that one of my good friends Jeremy Webb shared with me "Behind the player that you have become the stats, the fans, the glory and the upsets- was a little boy that fell in love with baseball. So play the game like that little boy would and thank God for all he has done". That is one of my favorite quotes of all time. Baseball is suppose to be fun and those little kids at camp just had a blast playing wiffle ball.  On the last day of camp is was pretty hot and the kids had a good week so far. So after lunch we had a huge water fight including water ballons, water guns and a slip and slide. It was Armin and me taking on about 25 kids needless to say I think we lost.
   So the seasons final stats are in and I had a pretty good year, I was 11-2 which was the most wins for a pitcher. I threw 123.3 innings which was the second most in the league. I had 152 strikeouts(3rd best) with only 15 walks. My ERA (earn run average) was 1.82. I had a great time this season playing with these guys. It fun to watch players grow over the year and become better players. I can't wait to get started with playoffs, we have won our last 4 regular season games and the 2 yesterday against a Dutch team. Yesterday we got to play a Dutch team to help us play in game shape for the playoffs. We played well in both games and really swung the bats. I only threw 4 innings since it was only a 7 inning game and other guys needed work. I was perfect in my outing no hits or walks and had 6 strike outs. It was a good day on the mound. I continue to thank God everyday I get to put on a uniform and go do what I love to do.

Playoff Bound

This past weekend we needed to win one game to make the playoffs. We decided why not just win both. The first game went into extra innings and Clemens threw all 11 innings. He only needed 125 pitches, which is a very good day on the mound. In the second game we won 5-3. I threw all 9 innings and had 10 strike outs. It was great to win both. That 4 straight for us which is a great way to enter the playoffs. We got 4 weeks till the playoffs so we have plenty of time to rest up. We still don't know who we are going to face in round one.
One of my friends asked me yesterday what was your dream job as a little kid? It was a pro baseball player of course. Then I realized I am living my childhood dream. Yeah I know I'm not playing for the Braves or having baseball cards made of me. But I'm getting paid to do what I love. What I have dreamt about so many nights laying in bed. I can remember playing in the back yard wanting to be John Smoltz. Looking back all the sweat and hours of work I have put in have been worth it. God has blessed me in many ways. I have always been patient and gone where God led me. My mom has always been there to remind me that God has a plan for my life and it's not a ordinary one. My Dad has been there to encourage me through this whole this even when I felt like just giving up. I also want to say thanks to all my coaches along the way, even the bad ones. I wouldn't be where I am today with y'all. I feel blessed everyday I get to put on a uniform and am very grateful for this opportunity.

Ducks Sweep Again

With only 4 games left we needed to win three out of the next four to make playoffs. We took care of business Saturday. It started in game one when Clemens threw all 13 innings and had the game winning hit. It was a big win for us not only to keep us in the playoff hunt but just for the team. The momentum carried over into game two where we scored 7 runs. I threw all nine innings with 16 strike outs 1 walk and one run. It was a great sweep for us.  This up coming weekend is a big one for us.
       My sister and her husband decided to come over and see me as well visit some cities. After my game we headed back to Vienna since we were heading to Prague the next morning. It was a really fun trip. When I see some old buildings it just amazes me that they could build something like that so long ago. I had fun picking on my sister again. I am very blessed to have the relationship that I do with her. She has always been there to support me along this journey. After seeing my Dad and sister I realized how much I miss my mom. I can't wait to be home and go eat Mexican with her again. I'm pretty sure we could both have it for dinner at least three times a week. I am excited to see what happens this next weekend. I love playing in games that can decide the rest of your season. Have a great week.

Second Loss

Sorry this blog is about a week late, I had a busy week last week. We will start off with the games against the Indians. In game one Clemens threw really well, he didn't give up a run till the 9th inning. He also had a two run home run in that game. It was one of his best all around games of the year. In the second game  they scored two runs off some hits and a error but the third run the winning run was scored on a past ball.  After they scored that run in the third I only allowed one more hit in the game. We ended up losing 3-2. I pitched 8 innings had 12 strike outs and only one walk. On our trip across Austria we had to go through Germany but we got lost. So I had a idea of making a video in the car. It actually turned out pretty good, I'll post the link on here. This past weekend I was in the Czech Republic to watch the U21 European tournament. It was really cool to see guys playing for their country. They had some really nice stadiums there. The one day we were there we got to go see some caves. It was really pretty inside them minus how cold it was in there. It was about 40 degrees and I only brought shorts with me.  For half of it we were walking and the other half we were on boats going through the waterways. Its still crazy to me that you can just drive from one country into another.
    This weekend my sister and her husband are coming to my game. They are in Venice right now then coming to Vienna on Friday night. On sunday we are heading to Prauge with team america(Amber, Joe, and Mandy).  I have heard it really nice there and the food is cheap.  Which my brother in law will really like since eating is one of his favorites things to do.
    It's weird to think there are only four games left in the season it has really flown by. I remember when we were planning my sisters trip here how far away it seemed and now it's here.  I guess I can tell how long I have been here from my hair. I haven't cut it since I left home and its the longest it's been in my life. I'm excited for these next two weeks to see what we can do and hopefully make a run at this thing. Remember God is always there for you to talk to and he is your number one fan. Have a great week.

Esp 1The Franchise Austria Esp 1

Papa Kroko Comes to Austria and Brings the Rain with Him.

My Dad came to visit this past week. He got here last friday and flew back home this morning. It felt like forever ago that we were talking about him coming. I was so excited for him to get here that the morning He got here I woke up at 6 and just decided to leve then. I got to the airport a hour before he landed. He brought me lots of stuff I have been missing from back home. He had a few surprises for me also. I am so blessed to have the father that I do. He is my bestfriend, it scary sometimes how well that he knows me. He can tell from the tone of my voice that something is wrong. We have a special relationship that is for sure. Since I can remember we have gone hunting and fishing together. We have had some great times together. I have learned so much from him over the years. Everything from how to be a good Christian man to life descions to things in the business world. One thing he has always done for my family is provided for us. I know I am the man I am today's because of him. I think that my Dad brought the rain with him. For our game Saturday it was sunny for all of pregame. But you could see the rain was coming. About mid way through the first game it started to drizzle and didn't really stop till we were done playing. In game one we just played bad. There really isn't any other way to say it. I was not going to lose with my Dad coming all the way to Austria to see me play. Needless to say it wasn't the best conditions for playing baseball. The mound was a mud pit. When my foot would land it would slide about 6 inches. We actually had a rain delay at one point. If it would have picked up any they would have called it and we would have won since we had completed 5 innings. But it slowed just enough to resume play. In the 9th inning with a two run lead they loaded the bases with two outs. As I stood there on the mound I thought "just don't think about the mud or rain just make three quality pitches and we will win. I struke out the guy to end it. It was a great win for us and helped us stay in the play off race. The president of my team was nice enough to let my Dad and I borrow one of his work cars to go fishing. With my iPhone in hand as our gps we headed west for about 3 hours to go fishing. It rained the entire drive which isn't good when your going fly fishing. So when we got there we met our guide at our hotel and got our fishing liences. We got to the river and it looked like chocolate milk which isn't good. We tried it there for a while and had no luck. So he made a phone call and there was another stream about 100 km away that was in great shape. So we headed that way and it was well worth it. The drive was beautiful. We got to see a lot little towns with lakes in front of them. It seemed like something out of the movies. The stream was perfect, so we got to fish for a few hours before going to our hotel. When we went out to eat we just started walking to see what was open. When we sat down we told the waitress we didn't know German and asked if she spoke English. So the cook came out and asked what we wanted, he asked if we wanted a plate of meat. That sounded perfect to us being half carnivor. So he brought us a plate with a chicken breat, a steak, pork chop, and fries. The next day was a good day. The weather was perfect and we got to catch some fish. We pretty much caught every kind of fish that was in there. I just love being on the water and standing there hearing nothing but the water running. No cars or planes making noise. We drove back to Vienna and hung out there most of the week. My Dad really enjoys looking at different architecture. I tried to be the best tour guide I could with what I had learned. We had a blast together just hanging out and eating. I started to get a little home sick this past week. My Dad came at a perfect time to help that go away. Now it's only two weeks till my sister and brother in law come. I am excited to see them since it's been 3 months since I left. To everyone back home thanks for all the prayers and support.

FIrst Loss and Bouncing Back

Last weekend we played the Metrostars and it was hot. It was one of the hottest days they have ever had here in June. I got to play firstbase in game one. Which means I got to hit also, I was 2-4 with 3 RBI. We didn't play our best baseball that day. We made a few errors, both mental and physical. After game one I was drained, they came in with a great game plan and it paid off for them. I got my first loss of the season. I have never been one to make excuses for not playing well, somedays you just have off days. It is how you handle the lose that matters. I really hate losing, I'm not one to throw or hit things but you can tell I'm not the same. Yesterday we played the Tigers who are in last place. In game one we came out swinging and kept it up the whole game. We put up 20 runs against them. I think we used all of our hits in game 1 though. In game two we couldn't score a run till the 12 inning. I pitched the whole game again. I only threw 126 pitches in the 12 innings and gave up 3 hits with no walks. It was a much needed sweep for us. It was a great team win, a lot of guys made some big plays in key situations. Right now we are in 4th place in the standings. Its going to be a fun rest of the season for sure. My Dad comes in this friday, I cant wait to see him. This is the longest time period in my life where I haven't seen him. We have stayed in connact but it's weird not seeing him. We are going fly fishing when he is here, which is one of our favorite things to do together. I can't believe I have alreay been here for 3 months. It doesn't seem like it have been that long since I sold my truck and headed over here. I know this has changed my life in many ways. I have a new apprication of A/C and ice. I'm kidding but I do miss those things. I have been able to do some things that I never really thought I would have a chance to. On Friday I was on the Autobahn and saw a Ashton Martin fly by us. God has taught me many things and I know this is where he wants me. This blog is something that I never thought that I would have. I started it to keep everyone back home updated on what I was doing here. As of today over 4000 people have read it. From all over the world, from Kenya to Japan. It is interesting to see what friends do keep up with you when you leave for 3 months. But I have some friends that I couldn't see or talk to and when I get back it will be like I never left. I hope everyone has a blessed week.