The last part of my preparation for the '09 baseball season was having my brother throw me batting practice in the cage at our former high school field. He is the coach of the Freshman squad and actually threw a much better BP than I remembered. It's always good to have someone who knows your swing watch you hit before you begin a season and so I was grateful for this opportunity. Following the brief batting practice session at my high school alma mater, St. Mark's High School (Wilmington, DE), I was treated to a going away dinner at the house of the Ogden family. They have been among my most dedicated supporters throughout the trials and tribulations of my baseball career. Don't expect anything fancy at the Ogden household but you should expect a lot of conversation and good food. This time the conversation centered around the start of the summer baseball season. Mr. Ogden will be the skipper of the Pro Therapy franchise in the famed Delaware SemiPro league and I will be heading to Nashua, New Hampshire to play for the American Defenders of New Hampshire of the Can-Am league.
This will be my second stint in the Can-Am league. My first experience was short lived. I was released by the New Haven County Cutters due to an injury after only a few days of training camp. I spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons in St. George, Utah playing for the St. George Roadrunners of the Golden Baseball League. I am excited for this new opportunity to be playing back on the East coast in a new league. The best part of being in the Can-Am league will be that my family and friends will be able to see me play for the first time in a while. I am also very excited about the challenge of playing in a new league. I think it always beneficial to embrace the the wealth of experience that can be gained from making a fresh start.
I could be convinced to post the recipe for the famous Oatmeal cookies if this Blog gets a loyal following.
ReplyDeleteSigned... Mama Ogden.
Good Luck for the new season.
I'm looking forward to heading up to Nashua to catch some ball games, but also to stake out some land so I can get a nice little spread, buy some sheep and tend to them.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know if any of the loyal followers would appreciate it if I posted a few video clips of your early batting practice.I think you were about 4 years old and you were supposed to be enjoying a dip in the pool at the Elks- but you had a Flinstone size red bat in your hand and were swatting a plastic ball on the top of the water?? I would be glad to put it up on You tube and display a link with permission...
ReplyDeleteI am coming up with Mark Lem to help tend to the farm, and make you and RO a few sheep skin blankets to make the accommedations more pleasent.
ReplyDeleteBig time blog buddy, kinda makes me wonder if there is any time for baseball up there! Just kidding, good luck and let me know if you catch a glimpse of the famous Roger Hornsby we all knew and loved in HS!
Sue, definitly post the video about my early BP at the Elks club. Who knows, if I get in a slump I may need to return to my "natural swing".
ReplyDeleteAs for the sheep tenders, you gentleman are always welcome and as for Roger Hornsby, he should be available if the timing is right.