Friday, 07 May 2004

• Currently Reading Great Moments in Baseball History By Matt Christopher, Glenn Stout see related

  User Error

  Ah...you thought I was dead, or something like that.

  Well, not quite.

  I was just thinking, maybe I'll restart because I'm tired of talking to people on the Miracle Message Board who don't understand me and think I don't like children.

  Honestly, I love children -- especially roasted over an open flame with BBQ sauce applied.

  In any case:

  User Error

  I have this baseball that I've been trying to get signed by the Miracle players (which is our minor league baseball team) since last year. I got two signature last year and as I failed autograph 101 during spring training, I've now enrolled myself into remedial autographing. This means I need to get all of the players and coachs(!) this year. Unfortunately, they're not all going to fit, but in any case...

  Last Monday night was Lehigh Charter Schools night with 508 kids, parents and teachers swelling the attendance in sections 114 and 115.  I made it through the first inning and a half before I grabbed my stuff and fled.  I had been waiting for Aaron, who was late, but I found him at the top of the section trying to get past the new mascot.  (Much more on this later.)

  Pointed over to the four horseman and said the next section over and down, so we relocated, which worked. Terry came over and said "I'm sorry did I run you guys out?"  I replied that contrary to popular belief, I like kids, just not THAT many kids all in one place at the same time.  So we were behind the net, which I don't like, but it was quiet and we could watch the game with only minor disturances from the Looney fellow that had showed up.  Man, they'll let just anyone into these games. 

  The group stayed until the middle of the seventh when the teachers got out on the field as a group to sing "Take me out."  After that, just about everyone booked. 

  There was one brief moment of terror when one of the Red Snots players lost his bat and it looked like it was going to land in the stands right where these two adorable little girls were sitting near the front of Kenny's section.  Happily though, the bat managed to hit the anchoring pole for the netting and fell onto the field.  That thing was MOVING too.  

  I've learned not to go talk to the pitchers who are charting the games.  I can't chart and talk. Suprisingly enough, neither can they.  So I slid over toward the end of the inning and waited for a promotional stoppage of play before I passed my ball over to Jeff "Dazzle" Randazzo to get it signed.  He goes to sign it and then looks at me puzzled.

  "This pen doesn't work."

  "Well it did, let me show you."  I pull out my ticket and scribble on the back.  Pen works fine.  I give it back to him.  Pen still doesn't work.

  Matty (Matt Yeatman) asks if his name is on that ball and I say no, so he retrieves the pen and the ball from Dazzle, and signs the ball and gives both items back to Jeff.  Jeff tries to sign the ball again.  Pen still doesn't work.

  He seems to think we're pulling a fast on on him but really! 

  Anyway, I suggested he turn the ball over and try signing the blank portion toward the top.  That worked fine.

  Miracle lost, 3-2 although it was a pretty decent game, all things considered.  Josh Grey threw the best start I've seen from him, Eric Lohse struggled in relief, and then John Thomas got up there and was just awesome for the close.  He's struggled early on but looked really strong tonight.

  The big stat of course, 10 men left on base.... ::sigh::

  With the game over, I head back over, and offer two pens and the ball to Josh who says "I only need one, thanks."  He signs the ball -- no problem - in the exact same spot Dazzle couldn't get to work.

  What WAS Jeff drinking tonight?

  And on that note, the team headed out for a 10 game eastern road trip with the first four games against the really strong Mets farm.  We are currently 3 and 0 on the series after taking a 6-0 win yesterday.  Woooohoooo!

  As we're looking for a sweep tonight, Miracle are up 7-1 a the top of the seventh.

  For anyone that follows the farms at all, Boston has a fabulous prospect in short stop Hanley Ramirez.  I know, the kid has gotten a lot of press, but it's all well deserved.  He really played a great game and I'd say at least six of those 10 men left on base Monday night were his doing.

  And finally pictures from the two games in Sarasota are up at:

  Game of May 1, 2004
  Game of April 30, 2004

  Coming soon, the tale of Boyfriend, Ron gets undressed and other amusing baseball stories...

  • 8:52 PM
  • 106 Views
  • 4 eProps
  • 2 Comments