Since you last heard from me, it was June 9th and the Defenders were about to start a five game home stand. We left off hoping for some wins after enduring a five game losing streak in early June. The home stand got off to an incredible start as we beat the Brockton Rox 8-7. That last sentence doesn't quite do justice to what transpired during that first game. I don't want to overwhelm you with all of the details all at once so I will take it slow. For starters, we won the game on a walk-off home run by our veteran first baseman Clyde Williams. Clyde took an 0-2 offering and hit it into the night over the right field fence. So, that's pretty fun, a walk off homer. What's even more amazing was that Clyde's home run came in the bottom of the 14th inning. So, to recap, bottom of the 14th, tie game, 0-2 count, 2 outs....walk off homer. Needless to say the Defenders and the 11 fans still in attendance went crazy. The game lasted so long that fans started chanting, "one more inning, one more inning" after we failed to score in the 12th and 13th. It was the longest game and the most thrilling finish I have ever been a part of.

The next night did not provide the offensive excitement of the previous evening but there was a spectacular performance on display. Our starter, Mark Romanczuk, pitched 7 innings surrendering just 2 hits en route to a 3-1 win for the good guys. It was, by far, the best performance turned in by a Defender twirler to date and hopefully the first of many more to come for our lefty from the 302. With that win, our winning streak was extended to four but the streak, like all good things, would soon come to end.

Friday night the Worcester Tornadoes came to town and handed us a 3-1 defeat to snap our four game winning streak. What we failed to provide the fans was some offensive FIRE power but they were treated to a post game fireworks show, so everyone went home happy. Fireworks games are always interesting because there is nothing that could happen on the field that would cause fans to leave the game. We could be getting beat 26-0, but the fans will stay put to see the fireworks. In St. George we even had some ingenious fans who would show up in the 8th or 9th inning, which of course would spare them the agony of having to watch us play, but allowed them to enjoy the fireworks show. On Saturday evening we got back into the win column with a lopsided 7-1 over Worcester. Sunday night we ended the home stand with a 9-6 loss to those same Tornadoes. For the home stand we went 3-2 and despite having a record that currently puts us in last place, we are only 2.5 games out of first.

As I'm sitting here reading these paragraphs it seems that they aren't quite as interesting as some of the initial posts. I think the reason for this is that we are now into the grind of the season. One of the things I like about a baseball season is the routine that comes with it. I like knowing exactly what I will do everyday. Here is a day in the life for Greg Lemon.....wake up usually by 10am and head downstairs for breakfast. Breakfast is generally cereal with banana in it, bagel and orange juice. At this time I like to read the paper and see what the local sportswriters are saying about the Defenders. After breakfast I read and watch tv for a few hours before working out. After the workout, it's some down time followed by my 20 minute drive to the field. I usually stop for a sandwich at a place like Subway before heading to the clubhouse. We generally stretch at 3:15pm for a 6:35pm game, and it's batting practice, some more down time in the clubhouse (usually spent playing wii or playing cards) then on the field again at 6:00pm to get ready to play. The game lasts until at 9:30pm at which point it's back to the clubhouse, eat dinner, and drive home. Once at home I try to unwind by reading or surfing the Internet, then it's bedtime and in a few hours I'll do it all again. A lot of my down time is spent reading (or writing this blog) and I think all the guys have something that they do to pass those long hours when we aren't at the field. For some guys it's golf, some fish, some work day jobs, some sleep and some watch movies. The point is that you can't be ALL baseball all the time, it's too much time, you'll go insane. There has to be some release, some other area of entertainment or enjoyment. Right now I'm currently reading a book which was given to me for my birthday and coincidentally it is set in New Hampshire. I think reading this fictional tale allows me to completely detach myself from whatever struggles or successes I might be having on the ball field and focus on something different. Like I said, if you are all baseball all the time, you'll lose your mind. I mean, how many of you think about your job ALL the time?? My point exactly...

Tomorrow we leave for our first REAL road trip of the season. We play 6 games in New Jersey, 3 against Sussex and 3 against the New Jersey Jackals. My next update will be from a hotel room in Jersey, until then, thanks for following.

Blogger's note: One of my most faithful followers asked for a picture of yours truly sporting his new haircut and beardlessness so here it is. This picture, along with other team info can be found at www.americandefenders.us