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.

Tossing 11 Innings for the Win

Yesterday we played the A's, who are in first place. The first time that we played them they run ruled us in game 1. Their game 1 starter is one of the two starters that is still undeated this season. He pitched a good game while we had some struggles on the mound and field. We were missing a few players that would normally be starting for us. We ended up losing 7-2. This past week I extended my running and worked out a little harder. It paid off during my game. I had a no hitter till the 7 inning where I gave up two hits and my only run of the day. After 9 innings the score was tied at 1-1. Their import was throwing really well. I continue to pitch the 10th and 11th innings. Since I had a few quick innings early in the game my pitch count was still low and I felt good. My velo wasn't dropping and I was still keeping the ball down. I knew how much this win meant to us and I was going to do whatever I could to make sure that we won. We ended up scoring in the bottom on the 11th to win the game. I love that in baseball that no matter how old you are when you score a winning run everyone acts like they are 10 years old again. It really is a kids game and that's the way you should play it. That was the most innings I have pitched in my life and I was feeling it in my back today(which is where you want to be sore). I'm going to have a nice long run tomorrow and start preparing for our game this Saturday. I'm excited to get back out there and pick up right where we left off. I continue to thank God for blessing me with the talents that he did and I try to bring glory to him through my playing. God gave us all different passions and skills. Some people are great at singing or drawing. Whatever your passion is go after it with all you got. You will have to make some sacafrices along the way but in the end it will be worth it. Trust in his plan and he will take care of you.

Baseball Superstitions

Baseball players are probably the most superstitious out of any athletes out there. It's just part of the game and it adds some extra fun to it. Some are more routines then superstitions. For example you will never see a player step on the foul line coming in and out of the dugout. For some reason it's just bad luck. Some guys wear the same thing for every game. I wear the same socks, sliders and undershirt every time I pitch. I even have a routine to how I put on my uniform. Right sock left sock right sock left sock then undershirt then pants and finally jersey. Yes I wear two socks for every game. I always put my belt on my pants before putting my pants on. I shave on every game day too. It started in college because we had to and now I just continue to do it. Cleaning my cleats before the game is a part of the routine. I got to chew gum while I pitch. My Dad has left games to go to gas stations to find watermelon gum for me. When I was in college I would leave the locker room at the same time an listen to "I'm a go getta" by lil Wayne as I walked to the field. During my junior year I had a mo hawk for the season. Until I pitched awful against a really bad team. When we got back that night I shaved it off. I think my mom wishes it would have been before Easter, she wasn't real happy when I came home with that hair cut. The reason I wear my pants up is because I pitched bad one game and had to change something up.
I have seen some crazy things over the years. I have seen guys shave all their hair off after a bad series or bleach their hair. I had a second basemen one summer that when the catcher would throw down at the start of the inning he would kiss the ball. I asked him about it one time and he acted like he didn't know what I was talking about. I remember one guy that would wear his girlfriends perfume on his game jersey. He said it helped him play better. I know a person that would eat one red and green sour patch kids and one red and green gummy bear before each game.
Then there are some of the unwritten ones. Have you ever noticed that when a starting pitcher isn't pitching that day that he is relaxed laughing and making jokes with other guys. But when it's his day to pitch he is completely different. This is because he is focused on the game. No one really talks to him before the game. Then if he has a no hitter going. You won't see any player close to him on the bench. You don't want to be the player to jinx it. These are all just for fun. Sometimes when you think something is different that's all you need to get out of the slump your in.
I can't wait to play again tomorrow. I hope everyone has a blessed day, God has given you another day so make the most of it.

Watching the Sweep Slip Away

This past weekend we had a chance to sweep and solidify our second place position. In game one we hit really well, putting up 12 runs in just seven innings. They managed to score two off an error which should have ended the game. Clemens threw really well and once we had the lead we never looked back.
In game 2 we put up 9 runs off their import pitcher who had pitched in AAA at one point in his career. I managed to keep them scoreless till the 8. Due to my pitch count getting near my limit I came out of the game with the 8-1. Every one thought that it would be enough of a lead. They ended up scoring 5 more that inning to make it 8-6. In the top of the 9th they tied the game. With the go ahead run on third. Someone thought the hidden ball play would be a good idea. They umpire called a balk on our pitcher and the winning run got a free pass home. Regardless if the umpire made the right call or not, we still gave up 9 runs in two innings to a pretty weak offensive team. Then second why would you even try to run that play in that situation. It was just a bad call in my opinion. That was the first time this season we hadn't won the second game. I really hate losing but losing like that makes it even worse. If we lose one to nothing and played good that's a lot easier to handle.
We are half way through the season right now. We play the A's this Sunday who are in first place. It's going to be a good day of baseball, since their game one starter is undefeated. It's nice that we are playing at home again. It really doesn't feel like I have been here for two month today. I decided to not cut my hair the whole time that I'm here, which i normally keep pretty short. It's probably the longest it's been in about 7 years and I still got a few months to go here.
I'm excited a the second half of the season. Now I know what each team has to offer. I feel like we are going to have a great second half. There isn't a team in the league that we can't beat. If we stay focused and keep working we can easily make the playoffs.

Ducks Move Into Second Place

This past weekend we spilt against the Wanderers. I was fun playing against my buddy Joe. We have been playing against each other now for 9 years. Friday was fun because we got to play under the lights. There is just something special about it. They strung together some good hits and came out on top on Friday. It was weird on Saturday only having one game to play. Our game was broadcast other the web so my Dad and one of my good friends Mason went over to my sisters to watch it on tv. I pitched pretty good and we won 5-3. I pitched another complete game, my forth one of the year. I gave up three runs had 7 strike outs and two walks. With that win we moved into a tie for second place with the Cubs, but since we swept them we win the tie breaker.
Next Tuesday I will have been here for two months. The time here has flown by. I am really enjoying it here and love learning about different cultures. It funny to see how things are different here. For example they don't put in in cups here when you get a drink and the waiters don't refill your drink. So we have had to learn to ration our drinks while we eat. I have been craving some sweet tea lately. Normally all I drink is water, gatorade, and sweet tea. Maybe my grandmother can send me some. When I was in Vienna this past weekend I found a Mexican store. I was so happy to finally buy hot sauce for the tacos I have been making. I miss going to eat mexican with my Mom on friday nights. That is probably one of the first places I'll eat when I get back.
We are off this weekend so Joe and I might adventure to somewhere with Amber and Mandy. I can't wait for my Sister and her husband to come so we can go to Prague together. It will be here before we know it.

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.