CanaDutch

2011-10-05T19:05:00.002-07:00

For all of you outsiders wanting to check out pictures of the 2011 Baseball World Championships in Panama... my view... mostly from the bench (since I'm a relief pitcher) as a pitcher of the Netherlands national team.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.594422331418.2077882.69701705&type=3&l=05c99bcbbd

2011 BWC picture destination

2011-09-29T19:36:00.000-07:00

Well... Blogspot has updated just about everything since the last time I posted with pictures... except for the photo uploader. It has always been a bitch to put pics up, in order, and it takes about 5 minutes per picture also.

So I'm gonna go the easy route, and just upload them to a facebook album.

If you want to see the 2011 Baseball World Cup pictures, head to my profile, click on pictures and you should find them there... If you are not my friend, sucks for you. Or ask me... I know not many people check this anymore so facebook is over all just easier for pictures.

Cheers!

2011-09-25T20:17:00.001-07:00

We're in Panama city for the Baseball World Championships.

Pics and stories to follow.

Memory lane...

2010-12-16T12:03:00.003-08:00

I had to slow down my stride during my run yesterday to traverse a very wet, mushy patch on the soccer field portion of my run. This spot happens to be right next to my childhood baseball field, Centennial Park.

I was just past the midpoint of my approximately 50 minute run up and down the hills of White Rock, so decided I would take a minute to catch my breath, and check out the old field. It's still a well used field during the spring and summer, and the surface is still almost the exact same as it was when I was 9-12 playing all my league and all-star games on it. It's where I hit my first home run, where went out to throw with my dad almost daily for a couple of years to bring me from the "minors" classification to the "majors", from a very so-so, non-driven 9 year old to one of the top pitchers in the province by the age of 12. It's where I began to love baseball.

I walked down onto the field, stepped on the mound, and shamelessly threw about 5 pitches, without a ball or glove, all strikes of course. I couldn't believe how damn close that 46 foot 12 year old mound looks now! I backed up a bit to right behind the mound... well, it's not much of a mound really, more flat with the grass making up the sides now.

This is a park that I still work out at. When I start my throwing program in January, I will likely utilize Centennial as one of the backstops I'll throw numerous beat up baseballs into for my regular off season arm building process.

It was a nice little 3-4 minute stop to allow my sweat to break and catch my breath. I guess you never forget some of those places that changed your life or sent you on a certain path. This is one of those for me. See you in January Centennial.

Life update, December 2010

2010-12-14T12:07:00.006-08:00

Our first "family" picture...

Hello people.

I'm not going to apologize anymore for not remaining faithful to a daily or weekly blog routine, because, well, it's my damn blog and I can write when I want to.

Life's moving right along, I can't believe it's already the middle of freaking December. Where in the hell did November go?

Our (Shorty(wife) and I) November went something like this=

- Leon in Taiwan to finish baseball tournament (2nd in the ICC)

- Fly back to Holland for a day

- Fly to Oklahoma the next day

- Chill for a week with Shorty's family

- 40 hour drive in our trusty hybrid across the Rockies, Vancouver bound

- Claim a new dog, and love it to freakin' pieces

- Rekindle old friendships in Colorado

- Cross the border and officially make our car a Canadian

- Upon our return to Canada, freeze our asses off the first week

- Get back to work with pitching and hitting lessons

- Enjoy Canadian beer again

- Spend many hours and meals hanging out with my side of the family tree

- Hear some 'potentially' rediculously fantastic news from great friends

- December...

December = Similar to the last couple weeks of November =

- Lessons a few days a week to get by

- Planning for the new year

- Jam packing myself with 6 days a week of lessons for the new year

- Re-enrolling in University for Shorty, as well as working Softball lessons

- Drinking some more Canadian beer, maybe eggnog soon...

Life's going well. Basically right now we're trying to be there for our family member that need us, and raising a dog (who is freaking awesome by the way) to walk on a leash, interact well with other dogs and that's all going as well as we could hope. Time for a dog walk in the typical Vancouver winter weather, 8C and rain, weird (shaking head).

2010-10-25T06:57:00.002-07:00

Well hey there... We are 2-0 in the Intercontinental Cup. A International baseball tournament with 10 teams, about 7 of which that are in the worlds top 13 rankings. Here are a couple pics of our national team at the opening ceremonies...

2010-10-22T06:58:00.006-07:00

Like I said in my previous post, we rode into Taichung, Taiwan yesterday via the "High speed train". We got up to 360 km/h or 224 MPH.... crazy.

Anywho, the Intercontinental Cup starts tomorrow, barring any flack from Megi, the Super typhoon that is teasing the coast, about an hour away...

We play Italy tomorrow, and Nicaragua Sunday 6:30pm local time... which is 6:30am Eastern USA time. If you don't know how far you are off that time... google it here. Good news is, other that out first game against the Italians, you can watch the rest of our games live online. You can find them at http://hichannel.hinet.net/intercontinental/live.html .
It's an all Taiwanese website, so even though these games are on very early in Canada and USA, I don't know if I'd trust trying to find any games archived. I am *cough* not sure *cough* if I'll be starting against Nicaragua (read between the lines).
If you want more insight on these pictures, I put them up in a new facebook album too.... check it out!

Taiwan pictures #3

2010-10-21T09:59:00.007-07:00

Captions to follow... tomorrow or... the next day.
This is a series of pics, in almost reverse order of us travelling from Taipei to Taichung on the High Speed rail (350 km/h)...

Taiwan pics #3...

2010-10-20T06:08:00.005-07:00

The pitchers (all 11 of us) getting bullpens in, indoors because of the rain...

The bench... bags, stuff....

The field here in Taiwan, again soaked...

Same...

My beautiful new 'Emergency' passport. Taiwan has a rule that your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 more months once you enter the coutry (no idea why)... and mine is up in a couple months, so I had to go get a NOODPASSPOORT (dutch). To make my trip legal to Taiwan...

Taiwan Pictures #2

2010-10-19T05:52:00.007-07:00

Post-practice in Taipei... L-R Nick Stuifbergen, Me, David Bergman

Me throwing against Japan, working for the first time with new national team catcher Shawn Zarraga...

Me on Taiwanese TV, getting ready to deal...

About to uncoil...

Soaked Tien-Mu stadium, 2 rainouts out of 3 potential games in our warmups for the Intercontinental Cup...

My bag...

Nice little backdrop at this field...

Foul ball...

Inside fastball...

Taiwan pictures... #1

2010-10-18T06:43:00.005-07:00

We are in Taipei! Currently preparing for a tournament starting Saturday called the Intercontinental Cup. It's featuring the national teams from 10 countries - Japan, Cuba, Netherlands, Italy, Czech Republic, Nicaragua, Thailand, Hong Kong, Korea and the host, Taiwan.

I brought my little camera, and will try and pop a few more pictures than I have over the other tournaments this summer. These pictures are from our first full day, in which we also played our first game, an exhibition match against Japan. We got no-hit. I think landing 12 hours before the first pitch wasn't the best for our focus during this one...

I went 1 inning, 3 k's. I actually just had a chance to watch the game on TV here, it was a very boring game, specially because I can't understand a thing they're saying. Here's a few shots from out our window here on the 13th floor in downtown Taipei, and then a couple of the dugout pregame.

A championship and numbers...

2010-09-25T04:05:00.004-07:00

WE WON!!!!!

An unbelievable season was capped off by an amazing championship game. Diego Markwell threw a 1-hit gem to take the best of 7 Holland Series 4-2 over the Amsterdam Pirates.

Back in Holland for my 1st year after dabbling in in the minor leagues for a year with the Blue Jays, I came back, determined to make this a positive move back here. With a very solid team at my back, I was able to put together the best season of my life.

I learned so much about pitching, how to attack hitters, and about pitches to make in certain counts and situations. All of this helped my team (Door Neptunus (Rotterdam, NL)) to a 39-3 record during the season, 7-2 in the playoffs, including a staff that compiled 17 shutouts in 51 games. Personally I finished with a 9-0 record, 0.39 ERA, 36hits and 83 k's in 69 innings. You can find the league stats here.

We had a rough time scratching out the first few games of the Holland Series as the Amsterdam Pirates played great baseball, and we played shaky baseball. Either way, we provailed and got stronger throughout the series. This was my third year playing in the Dutch Headclass, and my third playoff appearance, finally winning a Championship.

The celebrations were great, our bus ride home was MC'd by our outspoken Australian pitcher (and finals MVP) Dushan Ruzic. He had players one by one come up and sing anything, say anything... it was for the most part hilarious, including such songs as "We are the Champions", and several dutch chants that I couldn't follow... just sang along like I knew what I was saying.

It was great to be there with veteran players like Jeroen Sluijter making his last bus ride as a player, and being able to experice a championship with other players maybe playing their last games also (including myself).

Time for a few weeks of National team practices, then a trip to the Intercontinental Cup in Taiwan for 2 1/2 weeks at the end of October.... Then Finally back to Canada!!

Bonding By BBQ...

2010-08-23T03:34:00.007-07:00

We had a team barbeque yesterday after our game. It was very good timing as we had just beaten the Hoofdorp Pioneers to take our semi-finals, and secure a spot in the Holland Series which kicks off in 10 days. I took my camera, popped a few pictures of the players, fans and staff all enjoying some quality grill action.

About the games, we had an impressive series. The first game took 11 innings, but we finally took it 1-0. Game two was my start, I want 6+ (albeit not my best start) we still won the game 3-0. In the third game of the best of 5 series, we blew it open in the 5th, and ran away with an 8-0 win. 3 shutouts, giving us 7 in a row counting the last 4 games of the league play. That's 67 straight innings, between 8 pitchers without giving up a run (including finishing off the game before the streak with 4 shutout innings). I was telling some of the guys yesterday, I've never been a part of something like this. It's pretty special. Just have to keep on keeping on.

Now to the pictures...

Chatting about baseball...likely.

Team manager and friends Jorien and Naomi enjoying some good food, and lot's and lot's of Heinekens (bottom right)...
Leftfielder Mr. Kingsale in the brown hat, SS Dwayne Kemp in the green jumpsuit, 1B Jeff Arends in the green hat, outfielder Eldrion Regina (Jappy) in the red...

RF Danny Rombley and 3rd base coach Foxy Martinus...

I jumped in the middle..

Coaches JC on the left, and Adonis Kemp on the right... Having a deep chat about something baseball related... JC and his whiskey, haha.

Coaches wives... Mrs. Martinus and Mrs. Kemp

The grillmasters at work. Grey haired SS Jeroen Sluijter and catcher in the yellow shirt is Martijn Meeuwis, cooking up just a little chicken...

Foxy with the dutch league homerun king (from about 30 years ago). This guy is now a bit crazy and just yells at players the whole game from different parts of the bleachers while drinking beer he brought from home. Nice guy though...

Equipment manager/Dutch national team staff member also Ton Meiresonne. He wasn't smiling, so I poked his belly and he perked right up... haha

Typical dutch.

Some of the crowd...

A couple couples. Pitcher Kevin Heijstek and his lady friend Deborah on the left, and CF Tati (Shaldimar Daantji) on the right with his girlfriend...

People eatin.

On the menu = Pork loins, steak, ribs, chicken drums, rice and noodles. Oh, and sate sauce... mmmmm.

The meat bringer. Pitcher Ber Van Driel... He obviously ran out of hair product after the game...

The grillers... did a great job.

One of those days........

2010-08-13T12:42:00.005-07:00

The sunset was beautiful tonight, I took a couple pictures, but being in the midst of the lazy-ass day I'm having... I don't feel like going through all the work of taking my memory card out of my camera, putting it all the way into the PC, opening the DCIM files, finding the pics, and actually dragging them to the right picture folder. Buh..... to much.

I've had what I'd call an 'off day'. Very little energy for no reason. I blame it on today being Friday the 13th, but that probably isn't it. I'm guessing my slowness stems from a week of two of the hardest workouts of my life... my own self inflicted running torture 3 times also, my first round of batting practice (albeit 10 swings) in 2 years, and being all alone again. My metabolism has been punched in the gut, and kicked in the ass also, so it's running on high right now, again.

The good thing is... Today is my one day this week where I don't need to, and shouldn't do anything. I start tomorrow in my last league start of the season. Normally the day before a start, pitchers rest their bodies, and save up as much energy as possible for the 2+ hour sweat-a-thon we endure on gamedays.

Screw it, I'll give you a couple pics... I feel lazy, but I hate being, feeling or acting lazy.

I took this all these shots out my window... this one is from this afternoon. We had a line of thunderstorms roll through, this one was rapidly approaching from the left (south) and hit with a monsoon about 20 seconds after I took this.

A bit ago...

The uraban sunset.

From my point of view...

Last shot of the night... beautiful skies.

Reboot

2010-08-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

Hello again.

Obviously, I haven't written in more than 1... Jesus, maybe 2 .... wait I think it's more than 2 damn months by now. Brutal and boring I know. Save it.

UPDATE- I saved this post and created the vs. Germany post you can find below this after I wrote this one, so don't be confused people.

I'm sure the only people to drop by this page now are randoms, and my parents. Well time to get back at it somewhat. I have so much to write about, so many happenings over the past few months. Here are some things that have happened over the past 2 or so months that I haven't blogged about... since, well, I haven't blogged anything.

->Shorty (wife) joined me in Rotterdam for a month plus on her summer break, we had lots of good chill and quality time.

->A day after Shorty peaced out, my folks came out and spent a month watching a couple tournaments and spending quality time too.

->In case you don't know, I play on the Dutch National Baseball team, we hosted and won the Haarlemse Honkbalweek in early July.

->The National team (Oranje) then headed to Germany for a two week, rainy, dominant, then dominated tournament (European Championship). Needless to say we came second.

->We beat Cuba when I started, run ruling them for the first time in history 10-0.

->My folks left a week ago, and I've been getting back to semi-normalcy since. I've got a new room mate for the rest of the year... a 6'8" Aussie and his aussie lady friend.

->We are rapidly approaching our last 3 games of the club team season this weekend. We've already clinched the #1 position in the playoffs starting in 2 weekends.

->Shorty and I had plenty of sun in June, then July became rainy, and it's been shaky ever since... tonight, back to rain.

->What else happened, oh, I contemplated blogging about 8732489 times. I procrastinated, shook it off, couldn't think of what exactly to start with and basically I'm just a shitty constant blogger... wear it whoever reads this.

Anyways... I can write about almost anything right now, if anyone wants to know anything, has any questions about the national team (within reason) or my club team Neptunus... also about Shorty or my folks (also, within reason)... Let me know and I'll see what I can make happen on here.

For now... peace.

In Germany vs. Germany

2010-08-10T13:14:00.005-07:00

I was handed the ball for our 4th game of the European Baseball championships. I was given the biggest threat to us in the first round, Ze Germans!!

It was tough leading up to that game. First off, waiting to start, and sitting on the bench for 4 games doing charts and chewing 34589 seeds gets old. But as a starter you get geared up for starts. I've blogged about this in the past, the routines... well, I had all mine lined up wonderfully for the start Monday against these guys. We roll up to the field and promptly a monsoon hits the field for 30 straight minutes. This turned the field into a lake. My dad was watching the game that was just finishing up, sporting only a small umbrella and wound completely soaked from the shoe soles to the knees... I'm telling you, it was flash flood worthy rain... raindrops the size of, well, baseballs.
Anywho, the game was cancelled, and move to 2 days later. That was fine, I mentally prepared myself for a rainout, not to be pissed or dissapointed. I came out Wednesday and threw well, 7 innings, 2 hits, 7 strikeouts and a walk. We won the game 3-0, which in this tounament is all that matters. We had to make the finals. We did.

The finals pinned us against Italy. They were good, very good. In our defence, I am the only guy on the Dutch team not born in a country that gives out Netherlands passports. It's not an excuse, but Italy only had 3 starters that were from Italy. It was basically America/Venezuela/Cuba/Italy vs. Netherlands (and a Canadian). I gotta give them credit though, we could have stepped up and won I think, but they played well, and they were stronger in every facet of the game.

Well here's a few pictures from my start against Germany in Heidenheim, Germany.

Outfielder playing first for the first time in 10 years. Bas DeJong making a play on a bunt, made a nice play.

A little semi-sidearm action.

Long time National team stud catcher Sidney DeJong (not related to Bas ablove). Biggest gamer, most clutch hitter and one of the smartest catcher I've ever played with.

Fastball, outside, 89 MPH, strikeout pitch.

2-seam fastball on the inside corner, 88 mph, induced a groundball to the shortstop.

Since our hats are at our hearts, we are saluting the Dutch national anthem, Wilhelmus.

Slider low and away, 74 MPH.

A few minutes after the skies opened during my start vs. Germany. Luckily we were up 1-0 already after 7 innings at this point. After 2 hours of field crew work we continues at won 3-0.

87 MPH fastball on the inside corner. I can tell by the mechanics... of course.

Guy swinging... and missing at a slider... and apparently being so fooled he lauched his bat at our dugout because he was so pissed...

Online interview...

2010-06-26T13:34:00.002-07:00

Check it out on the European Baseball website mister-baseball.com and you can find a recent interview I had. Or just click here.

2010-06-21T17:16:00.001-07:00

Hahahaha... this guy is so funny, and serious as anything. Watch out west coast!!!

Release Story + Baseball Update...

2010-05-20T07:12:00.005-07:00

We're stacked.

I've been back in Rotterdam, NL for the past 6 weeks getting back into the swing of things with my club Door Neptunus. For those of you who don't know about European baseball, every country has a league, all have different names, and Holland and Italy are the top 2 baseball caliber wise. This is my 3rd season playing for Door Neptunus in the Dutch 'Hoofdklasse' out of the past 4 years.

This year, like I said, we are stacked. Tons of talent, and so far, we're putting it to use. 3 of our 4 outfielders are on the national team, 4 of our 6 infielders are, and 3 of 4 starting pitchers are (the other is on the Australian national team). Oh, and our main catcher had to retire from the Oranje (national team) because of work issues. So, yeah... we have kicked off this season at a 16-1 mark so far. We have played well, played hard, had to battle for a few wins, but most of all have played good, fun baseball.

I don't think I've bloged about my release, but it wasn't anything special. Here's the story in a nutshell. There were a couple reasons why the Jays came to their decision to release me. First off, something I didn't see coming even though I knew it was going happen, happened. When the Jays traded Roy Halladay, their ace for the past 10 years, they didn't get a big league pitcher in return, only a couple minor league hitters and a minor league pitcher. Because he left, the starting rotation for the Jays was very weak, so they ended up signing about 20 triple-A caliber pitchers, and a few big league guys too, which is the part I didn't see coming. When those guys don't make the big league team out of spring training, they get shuffled down the system, as do all the pitchers below them because of that. I was in the unfortunate spot in double-A where there were 3-4 higher end bullpen prospects coming up from single-A, forming a bit of a pinch of the non-prospect double-A guys. It's kind of hard to explain, but teams take care of guys they have money invested in, and I wasn't one of those guys, after signing for 0$ just to get my shot. They have released all the guys that I was in the bullpen with last year now, except a couple of the prospects who came up later in the season. On the other hand, my walk total hurt me too. Throwing submarine wasn't my cup of tea, I could do it, but struggled mightily to hit the zone every time. My ERA wasn't bad for the minors, but again, my walk total hurt that. I gave up an average of 1 hit per inning which is, decent, and my strikeout total was decent, but I was in there to get groundballs, and I knew that. Well I guess that wasn't really in a nutshell, but it's a bit of a intricate story I guess.

It's all good though, I am happy to be where I'm at now, having fun with the boys back here, and I get the opportunity to play in 3 tournaments this summer and fall with the national team which is important to me.

this weekend we play Ado, a team from Den Haag, or 'the Hague', and I have the start on Sunday. Should be a good weekend, but we gotta come out ready!

A sister's artfulness and awesomeness....

2010-05-19T16:51:00.004-07:00

If you're a fan of abstract pictures, art and or anyone in my family.... check my sister's blogsite out. She takes, sometimes messes with, abstracts, and then posts all kinds of pictures.

From beautiful colourful flowers, to black and white animals, to cartoonish versions of old pictures to pictures taken through a dirty window while driving... It's all art, and I find it quite interesting and beautiful. This isn't a pitch to sell her stuff, but, she does, and it's good stuff. She has an ETSY page (what's ETSY? Wikipedia explanation) where you're able to buy all sizes of prints, cards, and even matte prints.

Just have a look at her blog to see what I'm talking about, no purchase necessary.

Sightseeing Rotterdam without the plane ticket...

2010-05-05T09:25:00.009-07:00

A couple of days ago I had the chance to just go out and bike around some. The gym was closed for the 5th of May (I think because of the nationial war memorial), so I took the afternoon to discover some more of what the modern yet partially old style dutch city of Rotterdam had to see. I took about 50 pics, and here are the best with some words to go along with them...

I can see this cleat hitch (the thing the boats tie up to when docking). You can see the Euromast in the right back ground...

The Erasmus Bridge (Easmusbrug)... and the KPN telephone company building with is pretty much directly across from my building. Quite the unique tilted building.

From the bottom...

About 1 boat looking like this passes in the river right outside my window every minute. They are packed with sand. The Netherlands (Holland) is 35% reclaimed (man made) land, and they build this land with something... zand (sand).

Cleat hitch #22... used and abused over time. It's just down the way from where I live.

This place has THE best ribs I've ever had. 18 Euro, all you can eat... simple, and delicious. oh, and this one is about a 4 minute walk from my place, dangerous.

Old dutch buildings and new buildings on Whilhelminaplein (see lower about Wilhelminaplein).

Across the water... some kind of industry with a solid dutch mural on the water.

Every 2 years Rotterdam hosts an international baseball tourney called "The World Port Tournament". Rotterdam is known for the having the biggest port on the west coast of Europe... I can see all these cranes from my window.

Wilhelminaplein... it's the little sort of spit/island (see "where I live" above). I had to take a pic of this and post it because, Wilhelmina is my mom's actual first name. The tree pot in the pic says Wilhelminapier, taken at the end of the spit. I don't know what exactly her and this area have in common, but she was most likely named after it since she is from 15 minutes from here, and now I live here so, yeah!

This picture is for my sister. She would love the area right next to my apartment. This old warehouse is actually connected to my building... and it looks likes it's been closed and shut down for the past 40 years. Check out my sister's blog by clicking the link above to see what kind of artwork she makes... amazing.

One of the main Rotterdam bridges.

Pic taken from the midpoint of the Erasmus bridge, towards downtown.

My gym. It's about 6 km's (4 miles) from my place. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but inside is a very private, but fully equiped gym, where strength and conditioning coach Hans Kroon kicks my ass. Google his name and you'll find some pics of him, he's absolutely jacked, and about 50.

There are a couple of these around Rotterdam. Full-on store quality vending machines. They have fresh bread, some even sell bottles of liquor. Milk, pudding, yogurt... something you'll never find in north america.

This one is for Shorty. We are big fans of 'Meer Coots', these birds, which are found all over the place in Holland. These two are a couple, and the one on the top is just leaping off the little dam-ish thing they made. They are priceless, and vicious!

A very dutch looking area, the boat in the middle is a terrace for a little cafe. I bike past this area every day on the way to Neptunus.

If I panned to the left just a bit you'd see the above picture's terrace boat. This is a canal that is designed just for working boats to get from Rotterdam to Den Haag (The Hague) and the ocean, about 20 minutes away by car, about 50 by bike, and I have no idea how long for boats, probably 2-3 hours, they crawl. Looks kind of like Venice, but at the far right you can see the red bike path a travel regularly.

This one is for my folks, they should recognize the music making... I don't even know what it's called. Some guy pulled this thing in, and it's like a mini-show with very loud dutch music blasting the whole time. You can see only about 5 people taking it it in front of the war museum. Shorty and I also got to take in one of these... things at Keukenhof.

Swan on a suicide mission. Haha, naw, I saw him doing a little tap dance right before I took the picture. My dad (who happens to be a research scientist, with a focus on birds) taught me a thing or two in the past about some birds. So, I understood what the swan was doing with his little tap dance. He was pounding the mud below him trying to get any worms, or food to be visible so he could chow down on it when he dug his head into the water,

It wouldn't be a complete photo album of any part of Holland without a bevy of bikes somewhere. I see this everywhere.

Do you see the red arrow in the middle of the picture? Yeah, well that me working with microsoft paint and a picture at the same time, for the first time. That's where I live. You can see the KPN building just to the left, the two massive construction cranes just to the right (which pound poles into the ground so freaking loud from 7:30 am until 6:30 pm) to the right. Middle of the pic far right is where Gaucho's (see above) is. And you can see the bike path to the left of the pic.

That's it for Rotterdam, hope you enjoyed a small peak into what I get to see everyday. There is so much more, but I didn't want to stop on my bike that often.

Tomorrow is gameday, I'm starting against the Amsterdam Pirates for my second start of the year, I'm pumped and ready.

Til' soon.

In-game action...

2010-05-05T08:16:00.007-07:00

A couple weeks ago on a clear Thursday evening game I did the unthinkable. I took pictures from the dugout during a game. Actually, I've done this a lot in the past couple years, just trying to capture memories I know I'll want to be able to re-live through pictures. So, I popped outside the dugout in the 5th and shot a couple quick hidden cam style pictures. Of course taken without a flash, to ensure I didn't bring any attention to my baseball etiquette breaking move. Well, I took a couple shots and, you can obviously tell I'm no pro at this photography stuff (even though I took it as an elective in high school), but better than nothing I guess!

If you're willing to search a bit, find some albums with either Neptunus or the national team games, you might find some good pics. And who knows, you might pickup a little dutch on the way ;) Here are 4 photographers who frequent the dutch league games, the top two being mainly Neptunus.
Rob Jelsma
Eye of the Tiger
Reni-photo
Alfred Cop

The dugout. There is very good chemistry on our team. Even though, yes, the Antillians sit on the left side... it's because talking in Papiamento (official Carribean islands language (Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire)) is easier for them. It doesn't matter though... as usual there are 3 languages spoken regularly in the dugout. Our coaches have our team meetings in english for Our Austalian pitcher and somewhat myself, even though I can follow the Dutch.

Just a little peak at the scoreboard and back drop. For north americans, on the bottom line on the lit up scoreboard the have P: BBFS... they track the pitches. B=Ball, F=Foul, S=Strike, I=In play... it's a dutch thing.

Oh, uhh... they were giving away invisible syrum at the gates.

If it's clear, we get some beautiful sunsets at our night games.

News and my new flat (dutch apt)..

2010-05-03T09:14:00.005-07:00

So I've settled into my new pad. I've thrown up a couple shots I just took from the inside of my 2 bedroom apartment here on the south side of Rotterdam. The past week has been good, I was awarded my first start this past saturday due to a slight injury to Diegomar Markwell, who tweaked his hamstring in his previous start. This next weekend is shaping up to possibly give me my second start of the year, only because of a rainout yesterday, and today. The makeup game for yesterdays rainout was cancelled before I even had a chance to get to the field to catch the team bus today. That means Kevin Heijstek (no link available for him) who was supposed to start yesterday, will be likely pushed to the next available start, being our next game on thursday. This makes his almost guarenteed (we don't find out until tuesday practice) next sunday start less and less likely, throwing in the need of another starter. We'll see.

Life's been going. I chat with my wonderful wife via a 'pay as you go' cell phone, which ends up costing a lot, but skype isn't possible for us, so we do what we can with what is available. Her first season of coaching just wrapped up, it was a struggle to win games, they lost 12 1 run games, which is always frustrating. But, as I expect from Shorty, she was satistfied when the girls played hard and gave maximum effort, which unfortunately seemed to be the case less often than more. Either way, she's going to wrap up the last couple weeks of school now, get her A's, then drive home, and fly out here in less that 3 weeks.

My good friend Zach Dials, who was my room mate at home and on the road in both single A and double A was recently also released by the Blue Jays. But, I am happy to report he has been signed by the Washington Nationals and will report to their High A team in Potomac in the next week. He's easily one of the best guys I've ever met, and has good stuff too. 91-95 sinker, cutter in the upper 80's, and a devastating slider... oh year, his changeup is a plus pitch too.

Well here's the couple pictures I promised.

A picture from my last game, and my first start of the year. I got into the 8th inning without giving up a hit, then got touched for a broken bat single with 1 out. Oh well... I felt great, and it was so comfortable to be back in a starting role, even know it doesn't seem permanent.

It's not an optical illusion, my kitchen gets smaller all the way to the balcony. I'm on the 4th floor, so the view is pretty solid. See the previous post.

Tonights dinner. In dutch - Kipfilet blokjes, met pinda saus, en a kleine groene salad'je. In english - Chicken pieces with peanut sauce, and a small green salad.

My awesomely plain shower room, I would show you the WC (toilet) which is in another room, but I will save you the sheer awesomeness.

I'm a big fan of condiments... and these 3 are used regularly. Don't worry, the knoflook sauce (garlic sauce, the closest thing to ranch in Holland) isn't opened yet, it'll be in the fridge once cracked, no worries.

New spot

2010-04-20T15:03:00.004-07:00

Well, after my release from the Toronto Blue Jays I've found a familiar but new home. I'm back in Holland, Rotterdam at that, but have new accomadations, different than the apartment I lived in right by the field in 2007-2008. It's quite nice, 4th floor facing the city from across the river. I signed back to play with Door Neptunus in Rotterdam, glad to be back, but like I've told many people here it's quite biter-sweet. I truely believe if the Jays would have given me another chance at double A I would have thrived. We'll never know. For now I'm back here, and enjoying it, despite shorty being in the states still to finish up her school.

I should see her in about 3-4 weeks, and I can not wait for that day! Until then, working out 5 times a week with Hans Kroon the national teams' personal trainer, and only 1 day off from practices and games. Lotsa baseball!! I've taken some pics of and from my new place and added them below... check it out! Beautiful view, nice 2 bedroom apartment overlooking the city.

Alles goed vanaf nu!

Unsung Hero

2010-02-24T13:31:00.006-08:00

Coach Phil Clabaugh here at Eastern New Mexico University has been kind enough to let me join his team, and even go out of his way to give me presidence to his pitchers (which is definitely not due) at his teams workouts.

Coach Clay, as he is referred to around the athletic department, is the baseball coach, and has been for quite some time. His bio is incomplete on the schools slacking website (they still don't have Shorty as an assistant coach), so I can't get into his career coaching stats, but while walking through their clubhouse I found some old pictures up on the wall from the early 90's, (maybe even late 80's, my memory is weak with all this dry air) and he was at the helm then. He and the team has been quite welcoming to me, a non-alum, and let me mix in for bullpens, throw inter-squad to their hitters, and utilize their clubhouse whenever needed.

In return I have been happy to work with some of his pitchers. He has about 17 or so on his staff, some with some real projectability (baseball term for could be a big leaguer some day). After doing pitching lessons all winter I know more what to look for, and have already helped with a couple guys, hopefully giving them an extra few K's, an extra couple mph's, or even drop the team era by 0.15, I'll take it, as long as they're getting better.

I'm about to head out and meet up with the team again, and get my 20-30 pitches in off the mound to their hitters, working on my delivery, throwing strikes, and deceiving hitters. Honestly, I don't care if they hit me, as long as I'm hitting my spots and getting stronger and stronger right now.

Time to get'er going.

Uummm...

2010-02-23T16:46:00.004-08:00

Well, I'm not sure what to write about. If I had been writing regularly over the past while, I would have lots to write about though, because there wouldn't be 100 little things to try and stuff into one blog. Life's been busy, my job right now is to get as ready as I can for spring training, so basically, working out, eating right, mechanics work, and last but not least enjoy the time I have with my wife.

Right now I am in the beautiful small town of Portales, New Mexico. It's best known for having the biggest organic peanut plant in the US, woohoo. To be honest, other than the small Division 2 university, I'm not sure why the city is here. But that is just my 'grown up in a big city' view. I have been using everything the school has to offer, working out in their gym, running stairs and doing plyometrics in their basketball arena, and throwing with and to the baseball team.

I've lost over 25 pounds this off season. This is something I knew I needed to accomplish to be able to obtain my ideal physique to throw to my maximum potential this spring. I'm not sure if it's just me, or my mindset, but I truly believe I throw looser, harder and more accurately the less excess weight I carry. That has me pretty skinny, but quick and strong. I can't take any chances, and have been working out several different ways and hours a day to get my body in as good a shape as I can before I report to camp March 6.

The Blue Jays have been signing pitchers left and right, hoping that one or more can fill the void left by the Roy Halladay trade. They have 30 healthy pitchers vying for 12 spots in the big league camp right now. Realistically, a couple will be cut, but the rest will be shuffled down into the minor leagues. I've known since the end of last season (actually the middle) that I need to shine in spring training, so I'm setting myself up to do the best I can do at that time. Like my dad always says "you don't want to look back and say to yourself - did I really do all that I could have?". What a smart man.

I have about 10 more days of ass-busting here before I fly to Dunedin, Florida, and that's when the ass-busting really gets going. Up at 5:30, several hours of baseball, then back around 2-4 pm. Until then I'm very glad to be in my spring training training period and spending very valuable time with my wife. Shorty is very supportive, and even a driving force behind me to get better, work harder and be as good a pitcher as I can be.

I'll see if I can think of a actual title for my next post.

Should we write a book?

2010-01-20T00:05:00.008-08:00

Shorty(wife) and I are approaching, if we have not already passed the point in our relationship where we may or may not be in the most long-lasting long distance relationship ever.

We have been a couple for almost 8 years, and married for almost 2... having said that, we have been apart for more than 1/2 of our relationship. This automatically puts huge speed bumps in a relationship, and marriage.

We have flown in to see one another maybe.... 30 times by now, we spend a month or two together, then the same or more time apart. This is caused mainly because I play baseball, and never know where I'll be playing from one day to another (we found out the hard way last year as Shorty drove 20 hours to be with me for a month until I got moved, where she drove 25 hours to be there with me, until I got moved back(3weeks later... then we said screw this). She is from the Midwest (USA), I and I am from Vancouver, Canada, and still call this home. Shorty is currently in New Mexico following what she loves, as am I. It's not easy, it never is, never was, but hopefully will be once we're together for good. We have made it this far, so I am really thinking, we must have figured something out right? I never wanted to have a long distance relationship, that's the exact reason I broke up with my last girlfriend, I didn't want to try to make it work. But low and behold, Shorty and I have found our way (not a way, our way). We don't ever talk about it or realize how far we've come as a couple, as individuals, as relationship pioneers. We have broken down walls that's probably 99% of couple would have failed at, we have done so much, and still have our lives to accomplish.

The title of this post is a joke, but, could almost be true. If we had the right author and editors around us, we could probably have a bestseller. We have so many stories, so many highs and lows. From living in Europe for 3 years, playing in 2 universities together, accents, crazy nights, random experiences, friends and acquaintances coming and going... oh man, book material!

We have had so much stuff to go through, and are still so unsure about our future, and how it will play out, because so far nothing has gone according to plan. Present times suck (because, yes, we are apart right now) but we know that deep down the other cares so much for us that no matter what, it will be okay, and when WE believe, things work out.

Picture #1 = about 3 minutes after I threw my first no-hitter.

Picture #2 = Shorty and I in Stanley park, Vancouver, BC.

Picture #3 = Us skating ... good times.

Response

2010-01-19T23:27:00.003-08:00

Asonas wrote =

"i have one question too. how do you think - What MPH is the lower border an athletics person should be able to throw without any special talent for throwing a ball? i'm teaching myself and other guys pitching here in Latvia where we have no coaches. i'm the fastest thrower on the team and last year I topped out at 78 MPH (my teammates 65-74MPH). i think I can improve this year, and get at least over 80 just by improwing my mechanics. but what should I expect from other who maybe are athletic but not talented in throwing? i wonder how fast jonny damon is throwing - seems to not have a lot of talent for throwing :)

I have taken wayyyy to long to write back to my friends in Latvia, but here it is. First off, thank you for reading my blog, it's good to see it is read all over the world (I even had a comment in Chinese that I couldn't post last week because it was, well, in Chinese). A couple things to let you know about Asonas, the speed of a pitch is only 1/3 of the pitching, the other 2/3 are made up of location (where you pitch it) and movement on the baseball (depending on grips and arm angles). Also, any American pitching coach wouldn't like you referring to pitching as throwing, because pitching means something much different than throwing. Pitching= art. Throwing= throwing something. Not sure if you and your friends are pitchers, but for those who aren't they can still call it throwing :)

To answer your first question, it's actually a very tough question which could have many different answers. But, the average speed of a grown man who doesn't have any pitching coaching in their life I would say 65-75 is decent. Every MPH above that is harder and harder to achieve, but the Internet is a wonderful tool, and there are many ways to read about proper pitching mechanics. For others I would say maybe only 5 MPH less on average, so 60-70MPH would be the average for a grown man (20+).

I never threw hard growing up. I was a guy who mastered his location before figuring out how to throw hard. I got a college scholarship throwing 80-82 MPH, but being able to throw pitches where I wanted to. Then I figured my body out when I was playing in Belgium at age 22, and figured out how to throw 90MPH. So, here's a couple pitching tips to maybe accelerate your fastballs a couple MPH.

-When your throwing hand splits from your glove (which should happen at the exact same time as your knee drops from your leg kick) make sure it stays in an even line behind your body, if you let it get to far behind you, you will lose power, and the batter may have a chance to see what you're throwing.

-Extend! When you release the ball, see how close you can release it to your target. Pretend that you are trying to throw the ball through the glove, not just to it.

-Stand tall. Pretend there is a string going from your butt through your spine, and out through the top of your head, attached to something in the sky, or on the roof.

-Make sure your elbows are up. When your stride foot lands, you should be at the power position. Both elbows at shoulder height, front one flat and.... just check out the picture I found on google.

Johnny Damon has maybe the worst arm of any major leaguer, that's why he's a left fielder... if he wasn't fast he would be a DH, or out of baseball, but speed is so important at that level.

I wish you all the best, and I hope to hear good news that you have raised above 80 MPH, and your friends are approaching 78 MPH!!

Latest session

2010-01-11T16:30:00.006-08:00

Yea, it's sideways, I know... my computer wouldn't download the longer upright side angle version... Sorry. That's me last week getting some work in.

Random notes

2009-12-23T15:29:00.003-08:00

->It's almost Christmas, holy crap.

->Shorty (wife) has recently joined me here in White Rock, Canada for the holidays, and is now a Canadian permanent resident too! I know, this is excellent news.

->We won't have a white Christmas like last year, but I'm not going to complain about a sunny one when it rains 95% of the time during winters here in Canada's hotspot.

->I've lost 25 pounds in about 65 days with my off-season workouts. I'm at a good weight now, I just need to continue to drop the body fat %.

->Shorty and I are joining 10 of our friends at a cabin on Sheridan Lake in the interior of BC for 5 days over new years for snowmobiling, ice hockey (on our own man-made rink), lots of games, cheers' and good times to be had by all. Pumped.

->I've been molding youths pitching mechanics for the past couple months, enjoying it, and even getting paid for it here.

->That's about it for now... looking forward to a couple weeks of family, friends, and good times.

One month

2009-11-30T20:51:00.002-08:00

Over a month ago, I posted my last blog. I know. Sad.

Anyways, back at it today.

In the past 43 days since I've been home I have=

Ran stairs 16 times
Long tossed 14 times
played catch / flat ground bullpen 11 times
Sprinted 10 times
New "White Rock Run" 6 times

All of that has me down 15.5 pounds, so I guess an average of about a 1/3 of a pound a day loss. That's not the most important thing though. I feel a lot more energy, and my body (mostly my legs) have gotten a lot stronger, and I can tell already. I am happy to be in this shape at this point in my winter workout. 43 days down and about 70 left until I head back down south for spring training. This will the most important month of baseball in my life. I am going to battle everyday for over a month to claim a spot on a minor league team with the Toronto Blue Jays. Last year, they started me right away in double A... This year, assuming the Jays still have plans to keep me around, I will have to earn a spot in spring training. This is what I am getting ready for.

Other things I've been keeping busy with=

Seeing many close friends of whom I don't get to see for 9 months out of the year.
Pitching lessons part time (21 hours a week)
Not blogging
Hanging out and helping the folks around the house
Watching hockey
Walking the dogs / Hanging out with the sister

Well, time for December, hope you are all ready. It's about to get cold here in Vancouver for a while. To me, this is bitter sweet, it'll be dry so working out is possible, but it'll be cold, so I better get sweating fast!

Until next time.

Interesting Question

2009-10-29T23:37:00.001-07:00

Asonas, Good question, I will answer that when I get some time again behind the computer. Question is published in the comment section a couple posts down.

The Slider

2009-10-27T11:47:00.002-07:00

I've been asked recently about my slider, how I throw it, how I locate it, and basically how do I make it work. I want to get one thing straight first though, the slider shouldn't be taught to any children below the age of 12-13. The did studies on it and have proved that the younger a kid tries throwing curve balls and sliders, the higher the possibility of them hurting their arm with it, or later on in their career. So, no 9 year olds are allowed to throw sliders yet... that's my own personal blog rule I just made up, so... don't break the rules!

The most important thing about sliders that I have figured just in the past 2 years is this. When you bring the ball up behind your body, you need to make sure that the arm does not cross behind your body. If it does, the arm won't be up to the power position on time and you will have a loopy Frisbee slider. The grip is also a key, you want to make sure that the last finger to touch the ball (in the sliders case it will be the index finger) is on a seam to make sure you get that last release with the proper spin. The slider is the breaking pitch that is thrown the most like a fastball. When I'm doing clinics these days, and teaching breaking pitches (sliders, curve balls) I remind the pitchers to think 'fastball' until the very end right when you are leaving the power position, then slider, which is when you are to have fastball arm speed when you release the breaking pitch. These are all mechanics that require precise timing, which is brought on by doing the action over and over and over, lots of repetitions.

All in all, the slider can be a go to pitch, a strike out pitch, a setup pitch. It all depends on how it moves, and once you figure that out, then how you move it.

Back in the Rock

2009-10-21T15:51:00.003-07:00

Well I'm back.

I'm settled in somewhat back at home here in White Rock, BC. I arrived Saturday, to being picked up by my wonderful sister, who ended up taking me back to White Rock so that we could hang out some. So, that we did. Enjoyed meeting a new family member, lil' Chip. He's an awesome dog of whom I hope to share many pictures and videos of once I figure out how to load stuff on a MAC, or get the wireless going.

Started my workouts 3 days ago. After taking 2 complete weeks off while in New Mexico while enjoying my time with my wonderful wife, I have just started my winter training, It will last until spring training begins in March. So killing my legs the first day were inevitable; I took it easy on the legs though, just a few laps of a soccer field. Got the arm going twice already, it feels good and after 80 throws its feeling pretty good on its day off today.

The house is pretty quiet with me being the only soul within it. I'm house sitting right now for my folks until they get back from Europe where they are having the time of their lives.

Well not much to blog about recently, anyone got any Q's?

Aliens everywhere...

2009-10-14T10:16:00.006-07:00

Shorty and I drove from Tulsa to Vancouver last year at about this time of year. Before we left we mapped out our trip, we marked down the cities, and sights we really wanted to see that were along our route. We were able to stop by every place we planned on except for one. That was Roswell, New Mexico. It was about 4 hours out of the way, not counting how long we would be there checking stuff out. For those of you who don't know, Roswell is world renowned for being the city where the most alien activity has been reported. From area 51 (a government restricted area) to all of the sightings and claimed alien abductions, Roswell is the extra terrestrial hot spot of North America.

So Shorty and I stopped on the way back from El Paso to Portales, we stayed the night in a little cheap-ass Days Inn so that we didn't have to make the 2 hour drive home that night, then back out the next morning. We awoke around 9, just in time to take advantage of the hotels little breakfast, and then head across the road to Starbucks for a little wake up juice. Around 11 we proceeded to head down to the "Alien strip", from the 1st to the 5th blocks of Main street in Roswell and checked out the situation. It was cheesy, and pretty much what we expected. A bunch of souvenir shops and little cafes, and the UFO museum. We paid our $5 each, and took the tour of the museum, they have all kinds of articles, pictures, here say, stories and movies. It was, well, interesting to say the least, not saying it swayed me to believe that they landed here, but gives you something to think about that's for sure.

We were glad after that we didn't go waaaay out of our way last year just to do this little trip, but we are glad we can check Roswell off of our list of places to visit!

2009 MLB playoffs

2009-10-14T09:47:00.004-07:00

Well the division series are over, and the league championship series are about to begin. So far, every team that I was even remotely rooting for has fallen. Boooo... I've either watched, or listened on XM radio to all the games. They have been excellent playoffs so far, with some awesome games. Here's my take and a look back at the division series.

Yankees vs. Twins = I was rooting for the Twins because I tend to go for the underdogs, and Bert Blyleven (my pitching coach with NL) is their announcer. It was rough, the Twins squeaked in after beating Detroit in game 163, then just like had happened in every single game all season against the Yanks, they were ahead at some point in each game, and lost every game. It was so tough for them to get runs, and the yanks would come back every time so easily. Yanks look strong.

Red Sox vs. Angels = Red Sox were dead in this years playoffs, just seemed to have no energy in their dugout. Not to take anything away from the Angels pitchers, who did a hell of a job. Their always solid closer Jon Papelbon had a horrific outing in their last game also which didn't help. The Sox should definitely have had game 3 being up 6-1 at one point, but the pen blew it, just proving further that they didn't deserve it this season.

Rockies vs. Phillies = The only series to go more than the minimum 3 games, the Rockies put up a solid fight against the defending world champs, blowing the last 2 games in the 9th inning because their always reliable closer Huston Street had a very rough series. Tough time to be cold for a closer, but it happens, and unfortunately it cost the Rockies. I wrote a blog a few back about Colorado's game 3 starter.

Dodgers vs. Cardinals = Another sweep, some more great games. Down to their last strike in game 2 and down 2-1 the dropped fly ball by Cards left fielder proved very costly as the Dodgers rallied for the 3-2 walk off win, putting them up 2 game to none. That was the turning point, and the Cards couldn't come back in game 3 sending the Dodgers onto the NLCS.

Previews of the ALCS & NLCS...

Yankees vs. Angels = If the Angels pitching can continue it's dominance, it may have a chance to silence the all star lineup that the Yanks boast. Arod has quickly shaken off his reputation as a choke artist in the playoffs by hitting 2 pivotal bombs and knocking in 6 in the ALDS, if he stays hot, and Jeter and Damon get on base once in a while for him, they will be dangerous.

Dodgers vs. Phillies = The Phillies are coming into this series very hot. After some amazing games against the Rockies, and their whole lineup being fairly hot, their closer Lidge throwing well they are dangerous. I think the Dodgers need to play near perfect baseball, Manny needs to be Manny to be able to knock off the defending champions.

This past weekend...

2009-10-14T09:10:00.005-07:00

I followed Shorty and her team down to El Paso, Texas this past weekend to take in her coaching for the first time ever. She was great. Being an assistant coach, the coach designated her as the first base coach, and she has a lot of leeway to do what she can to help out with the team, defensively, offensively and in base running. She knows a lot about softball, and I mean a lot, coaching is what she was groomed to do. She has played under some of the best coaches in the nation, including 2 years of college ball under the legendary coach Dicus when he was still a softball coach at Seminole State College.

They played a D1 school and lost 2 fairly close games on Saturday, but Sunday they crushed the local Junior College team twice. It was about 90 degrees (32 Celsius) down there, and very enjoyable to sit and watch some fairly solid softball. Obviously, for them, this is only fall ball, so they do have a lot to work on, but like Shorty keeps telling me, and I see, they have a lot of potential, and could possibly be a very big surprise team not only in their conference, but in the nation. The team has only 15 players, and are led by 7 seniors, and interestingly over the past 4 years, the program has had 4 different coaches. I have the feeling the staff they have right now will stick around at least a couple years, I know Shorty will be there for 2 years before getting her masters in sports science.

Anywho, I followed the team on the 5 hour excursion from the little city of Portales, NM down through a little mountain range, and right on into southwest Texas, where El Paso sits. The city lies right on the Rio Grande, the Mexican border. We would have made a little trip across the border just to say I had been to yet another country (Shorty's already been there) but she didn't bring her passport, so maybe next time. We drove along the highway that is literally 100 feet off the border. It was interesting to look across into Mexico, at all the little shanties and shacks they live in, they overall quality of the land and roads compared to what we were driving on and through in El Paso. It was a fun little trip, and shorty was able to drive back with me after the games, so we could check out the malls in El Paso, something I wasn't pumped for obviously (I have a strong hate for malls these days, they always seem to turn into spending time and money), but Shorty didn't get anything, actually I was the one that ended up picking up a shirt and shorts... dangit.

We have pics, and I'll add them to the computer later on tonight and post some on here when I can. Well, we headed home Sunday night, and made a little pit stop for the night which I'll write my next blog about.

Jason Hammel and our TVCC roots...

2009-10-09T10:06:00.010-07:00

My college team mate Jason Hammel is starting for the Colorado Rockies in a big game 3 against the Phillies on Saturday. The Rockies and Phillies are all tied up at 1 game a piece in the best of 5 series, so game 3 is a big one. Rockies manager Jim Tracy had no question in his mind that he would start Hammel over 15 game winner Jason Marquis. Hammel had a good year in his first year with the Rockies. He was traded to the Colorado the day before the season started this year from the Tampa Bay Rays, who he has been in and out of the rotation with for the past 3 years after being their minor league pitcher of the year in 2006.

Hammel and I went to Junior College in the tiny city of Ontario, Oregon together at Treasure Valley Community College. Back in 2002 we were 2 of the 4 weekend starters in the SWAC (Scenic West Athletic Conference) Junior College conference for the 'Chukars'. That was an interesting year. Our offence battled injuries and a severe lack of power, batting a league (and probably national) low of .193, with 1 home run, all year. Yes, 1 home run, all year. We had a solid pitching staff of 8 guys, 3 sophomore starters all throwing in the low 90's, and me, a 6'6", 185 pound freshman throwing 82-84 MPH. The pitching stats we're interesting that year. I remember Hammel finished the season 4-7 with a 5.07 era and was drafted by the Devil Rays in the 10th round because he sat 93-95 with a filthy curve. I was 1-7 with a 3.69 era that year, relying on location and mixing up speeds.

Don't let him fool you tomorrow, even though he will obviously be in his game day mindset, he's a goofy fella. See if you can see his feet, he has size 9 shoes... which is about 3-4 sizes to small for a 6'6" guy. He was a great mentor to me while we were at TVCC. I looked up to him as a player and a person who I wanted to be like. I even imitated his mechanics to an extent the next year in college bumping my fastball up about 6 MPH. He was one of the positives in my first year out of high school, always being positive and helpful to me. It's no surprise he is where he's at as a big league starter, and in the playoffs now. I wish I had some pictures of us from that year, I would put some up here for sure, not from any of our ridiculous small baseball + softball party nights, but of us working our asses off, doing hours and hours of pitching drills, painting the fence and bleachers at the field, selling oranges as a fundraiser or hanging out in the dorms... damn that was a crazy learning experience of a year. I was lucky enough to be player to present him with a plaque at the end of the year as he was one of the graduating sophomores moving on to a D1 school (even though he signed a couple weeks later).

Here's to hoping he dominates the former world champs, doesn't hang any pitches, and keeps the ball in on Ryan Howard...

ps- I just read that Pedro Martinez will be going for the Phillies.He was my childhood idol, and a guy I was fortunate enough to chat with during the WBC. Should be a great game to watch.

2009-10-08T21:14:00.002-07:00

Joe inquired=

I love your posts about what life was like living with your fellow pitchers this season. I'm curious now, what was life like on the road? Living in hotels, transportation to road games in places far away like Akron, if you have free time and what you do in it?Also, what is it like having basically a revolving door at the bullpen with guys going up and coming down? Do you keep in touch with guys like Zep and Bubbie or is it more of a temporary bond you all share?

I actually wasn't part of the trip to Akron, as that never ending drive happened to fit in over the 3 week period I was in Dunedin, too bad. Other road trips are all basically the same. On the road the average day goes like this= After a typical 10-11 am wake up, you head to an eatery establishment (usually the hotels are right across from malls, making the food court a tempting place to eat with many choices). After a lunch, back to the hotel, chill for a while then head off the the field to prepare for the game. Usually 11 pm is about the time we would arrive back at whatever hotel we were staying in, so about an hour or two, talk to the loved ones and off to sleep. I think I may have written a blog somewhere throughout the season about our normal day game schedule. It shouldn't be tough to find, because I slacked most of the year on the blog and only posted about 3 a month.

About the revolving door in the bullpen question, it's hard to say. I've never been a part of a pitching staff that was like this before. I take it it's like this every year, with every team, but it's just something to get used to I guess. I tried to get along with everyone as much as I could while they were there, you never know when someone is going to be moving. There were some moves we saw coming, and some moves that really caught us off guard. Yes, you make the most of the relationships you have while you have them, hang out with the guys that are around when they are around, that's all you can do. For some of the guys, the friends are temporary. I do talk to Zep still, we were roommates both in Manchester, and on the road for the first couple of months until I got moved. He's a great guy with a great arm, and I expect to see him on TV for a while to come. I have also stayed in contact with most of my roommates from the reliever house also we had some good times.

Playoff baseball

2009-10-08T20:20:00.003-07:00

Is there anything better? I would have to say march madness in college basketball is about as close as it comes, but still can't touch the allure and enchantment that the MLB playoffs bring to the table.

Alright, so weather wise, no, October sucks pretty much everywhere. It rains about 29 of 31 days in Vancouver, same for Holland. Here in New Mexico it went from 30 to about 13 degrees in a matter of 30 minutes today, then started pouring. But all this is made bearable because yesterday kicked off this years playoffs, 8 teams all competing for the crown of World Series Champion. There have already been 5 games, and I'm listening to #6 on my headphones in the library right now. The mystique of baseball in October is what draws me to watch the games. Every game is put under the spotlight, every player is bigger than life. Heroes are born, and a great game can either make or break a city and a region.

Today the Cardinals lost in the bottom of the 9th with 2 out on a dropped line drive by the left fielder, he is now the goat of the entire Midwest because they had the game in the bag... until the ball hit him in the sack (literally). Every pitch is important, and it's real baseball; seldom do you see a blowout at this stage of the season. I try and watch as many games as I possibly can, because until they have a 12 month season in the majors (which won't ever happen) this is the last baseball I can see for about 4 months (which is a long time when you're in love with the game the way I am). I am a visual learner, and learn a great deal just by watching some pitchers, how they throw, what they throw in what counts, locations, movement and plenty more. I have been able to watch the World Series with my dad for the past few years, which is great because we both share the same love for the game, and talk strategy the whole game. I've even made a fan out of my wife over the past few years. She enjoys watching the games and has a very healthy respect for the players and the game (especially the close ones). Oh, and she can name off almost every single Red Sox over the past 5 years... That's right, she's part of the Red Sox nation.

I have no predictions, I have a couple of favorites, but I mainly root for close games, and long series'. Enjoy the playoffs...

What to focus on

2009-10-07T09:25:00.004-07:00

JJB asked=

Similar question to the one in a previous comment: Is your off season training tailored to what the Jays' staff said you NEED to work on or is it basically 'Get better and be ready on your own for Spring Training'?Also, are you still under contract with the Jays?Enjoyed watching you in N.H. this season and see some good potential there!

Good question. I wasn't sure how it would go at the end of the year, since this was my first go around in minor league ball, but we didn't have a coach - player meetings at the end of the season like I thought we might. The way I've begun to realize things run in the minors (or maybe just in the team I was placed in) is that the coaches work for their teams just as much as the players do. We're expendable, just as easily as they are expendable; so if we (the players) want to know about our status in the Jays, what they think of us, what we need to work on in the off season, we need to ask either the roving pitching coach, or the farm director. They are the ones that make all the decisions on who moves up and down. The coaches give their two cents worth on who's hot and cold, but are mainly expected to win ball games, put the players in the proper situations to succeed, and keep the players healthy.

I've kinda gone off on a tangent here explaining how some of the inner workings of minor league ball go, but I'll get back to the point for you JJB.

We did have a meetings with the strength and conditioning coaches though. The big league S&C coach was there as well as the organizations main S&C alongside the double-A S&C coach for our last home stand to have quick meetings with each player. They talked about the exit strength test (which I did fairly well on) and just mentioned what muscle group they think we need to focus on more or less in our off season workouts. Mine, scaps need to be tightened some. That was basically it. Since this was my first season they didn't know much about my weight, and what I should arrive at spring training with, so I told them, 205. I pitch better at lower weight, and since 205 is the goal, I am aiming for 198.

The Jays didn't tell me what mechanics to work on for the off season, but I have a pitching coach to work on that at home, and I know what I need to get back to, so that shouldn't be an issue.

So yeah, basically the Jays are saying get better, and be ready for spring training, which is fine. I'm not sure if things are done differently at the lower levels with the younger kids, but by double-A your a man; if you don't know what you need to do over the off season to be ready for spring training you don't have what it takes to be a big leaguer. That's just part of the weeding out process.

I am still under contract with the Jays. Since I am foreign and this was my first professional contract, I signed the typical 7 year deal that any Dominican or Venezuelan would sign at 16.

Off-season workout routine

2009-10-05T21:36:00.005-07:00

Quick responses, this is what I like!

OddBod replied to my previous blog with this query=

what's your off-season training routine? ps. do you wanna have a home run derby at centennial?

I put the question out there on my last blog entry to let me know what you want to hear about; anything that I may just overlook writing about, or personally find everyday and normal. I got a comment from a long time friend who I played ball with for a good portion of my life, baseball and basketball.

This fella just finished up his masters in health science (maybe nutrition?). He has for a long time been big on health and conditioning, working out and doing cardio at the tender age of 2. Well, maybe not that early, but he was definitely my first friend to do weight conditioning. He asked what my off-season workout plans are. I have a pretty good idea, so I'll try to put down what I've been thinking.

Getting myself into peak pitching condition will take several different types of workouts. This includes throwing long toss, cardio, and weights. I will work them all into a weekly schedule around the pitching clinics I should be doing a couple days a week.

Long toss
October 20 - December 10 = Long toss includes working my way back to about 220 feet, and throwing the ball on a line. I work my way up to about 120 throws by the last week. I'll throw about every second day, sometimes every third, I like to get an average of about 3.5 throwing sessions in a week.

December 10 - January 1 = Rest arm for the 2nd three week period of this off season. I will likely still get out and throw 4-5 times though. The timing works out right since it's over the holidays when times get busy and Shorty will be in town.

January 1 - February 5 = Get back into the long tossing same as the first period from October to December. Have myself throwing either to a catcher, or the fence at 60 feet getting up to 50-65 pitches by the end.

February 5 - March 1 = Not sure where I will be going for pre-spring training training, but I very well may end up here in New Mexico working out with the University team or on my own. either way I will have about 2-3 weeks to get myself completely ready to impress when spring training starts.

Cardio
Unlike throwing I won't have a chance to take time off running. This starts the day after I get back, and won't stop for a while. Obviously I won't be going every day, at least 1-2 days off running a week to rest the legs and let the muscle build will be a must.

I have several different types of running programs I put myself through in the off seasons.

Long distance - 2-3 times a week. 20-30 minutes on a flat ground track. I usually push myself to a pretty good pace because I can't stand jogging. Why run if you're not going to sweat is my motto.

Sprints - This will be the first off season I will implement the sprints. I have never done them in other off seasons because as a starter you normally just run long distances. Relief pitching is more of a sprint than starting. Starting is usually associated with longevity and stamina, which is why starters tend to run long distances more often. I will implement the sprints on the same days as the long distance running.

Stairs - 2-3 times a week. I live in a great place to be able to do stairs. I can choose between a staircase at a football stadium, to a staircase into a ravine with 108 stairs, to a staircase down to the beach with about 250 stairs. I will likely start with 10-15 sets in the ravine, and if I am able to get up to 25-30 sets by the time I leave in February, I will be in amazing shape.

Weights
The Blue Jays have given me a huge workout handbook to follow. I will surely use their outlines, not break their "workout rules" and add my own touches to my workouts too. I plan on going back to my old stomping grounds at Great West Fitness in White Rock where I've been going for about 9 years now. I will workout 3-4 times a week. I use the gym for pitching mechanics mirror work and the fantastic sauna.

I've got my work cut out for me. I am going to take off one day per week, maybe two depending on how my body feels and everything is progressing. The best part of running my own program is that it's very flexible, I can throw when I want, I don't need a partner, I can throw back to back days if my arm feels good, or take an extra day on anything if I feel it needs it.

Until I start it on the 20th, I am going to enjoy my last and only 2 weeks off for the whole year and just relax.

Open floor...

2009-10-04T20:57:00.004-07:00

I don't have much going on in my life right now, other than enjoying my time in New Mexico with Shorty while she's on the job. This means I don't have much to write about, no new baseball related stories anyways.

I have never done this before, but I want to know what you want to hear!!

If anyone has any suggestions of a subject they'd like to know more about that I have experienced and haven't written about, or not in depth enough, let me know. Any questions about a subject that I can potentially answer or may know something about, let me know, and I will do my best to write a blog, or several about whatever anyone is curious about.

I have time for the next couple of weeks, so now is a good time to throw some ideas around if you've ever had any!

New Jay leadership

2009-10-04T12:48:00.004-07:00

The Toronto Blue Jays ended their 8 year long relationship with General Manager JP Ricciardi. After the Jays first losing season since the 2005 season and unrest throughout the organization they decided to pull the plug on Ricciardi.

They immediately filled the role with Alexander Anthopoulos, who was the Vice President, Baseball Operations & Assistant General Manager. Anthopoulos is only 32 years old, but a young face up top might be what the Jays need, look at the Boston Red Sox who were led (at the time) to the 2004 World Series crown by 29 year old Theo Epstein.

Who knows what this means for all of the employees in the organization. Some coaches feared that if Ricciardi went that they might just clear out a lot of the coaches throughout the minors. We will see how that works out. Personally I am hoping Anthopoulos thoroughly looks at all the cases of coach and player before drastic measures are taken.

I know I didn't have the ideal season or stats that I or the Jays were looking for. I do know what I need to do to be part of the Jays future plans, and that starts with a very strong spring training.

I want to impress beyond belief.

Running the show

2009-10-02T13:07:00.004-07:00

There is a very accurate and interesting phrase I heard a couple years back by a color commentator while watching a ball game on TV... “A team takes on the personality of its manager”. I’ve really been watching to see if this is true with managers I’ve had, and seen anywhere. I have realized this is about the truest and most accurate quote when it comes to coaches and understanding how some amazingly talented teams are unable to produce.

The Tampa Bay Rays had a manager last year that led a young team to the World Series. The manager had a young and easy attitude and is known as a ‘players manager’, that means he relates to the guys as people and ball players and is able to coach and run the team while still being in good terms with the players. A player’s manager is rare.

Over the past couple of years I’ve played on teams with several different kinds of coaches, I won’t name names or teams. but I have seen a lot of different breeds of managers.

-> I’ve had a coach that ruined our season because of his over coaching and obvious negative and nervous outbursts in the dugout. Lack of trust in his players led to the coach being the cancer of the team.

-> I’ve had a coach who was so mono toned and old fashioned that every team in the league knew when we were about to bunt and do any strategic move it was useless.

-> I have only talked about the couple bad apples I've encountered, but I have also had some coaches who knew how to make things work.

-> There is a coach I wish could have played for recently that is obviously a great coach, knows his baseball and seems to be quite the players manager, unfortunately I wasn’t able to play for this coach, yet.

-> The most player oriented manager I've ever had created one of the greatest and most together team environments I’ve ever played in. We did something incredible with that team, coincidence? probably not.

There are coaches who know a lot and don't know how to pass on the info, there are coaches who don't know as much but are able to make up for their shortfalls in other ways. No matter what kind of coach I have, I am the type of player who will do whatever my coach or manager asks of me, because that's what was instilled in me over my first 2 years of Junior College/boot camp. I take something from all the men I've played under and been taught or not taught by. I am trying to take all the aspects I see as positives so that I can be a complete player, and coach or manager someday. If I don't ever coach, it will be useful to teach my son or daughter someday. But first off I get to work on my leadership qualities this winter while doing pitching clinics.

Fall From Paradise

2009-10-02T09:28:00.006-07:00

If you hadn't noticed yet, I'm a big fan of my cousins music. He is the Canadian hip hop Icon Classified. I listen to his stuff often, but one song has stood out over the past few albums that he has released.

The song is "Fall From Paradise" from his 2006 album "Hitch Hikin' Music". The lyrics are about his life in music, and how he is realistic that there is a point when you fall off and "flop"; IE. your career comes to an end. Throughout the song he remains adamant that he isn't close to being finished with music. He is level headed and sensible enough to realize that obviously at some point in the future a fall from paradise in inevitable. I relate to this track because basically everything he talks about goes exactly the same in baseball. When you're on the top it's paradise. There are so many parts of the song that I think to myself "wow, that's the same in my life and baseball". We are both at about the same level in our professions, just below the top, so I can understand it that much more.

I feel like I've been at the top, and had some struggles this year like any artist or athlete can have, but overall I haven't "flopped" and I will rise again. I had the ultimate highs this year basically peaking in the WBC and the first few months with the Blue Jays, then dropped down to rock bottom in the middle of the season having some rough outings in a row. Since, I have been working out everything and steadily getting back to where I was at, and doing everything I can to get me back to Paradise.

Watch the video to listen to the lyrics, don't worry to much about the video. Try thinking about everything he says in a baseball players context though, and you'll understand what I'm getting at. Here's a few of the lyrics that I feel explain more than some of the others how this song relates to either a musician or baseball players career...

Chorus =

"It's hard to explain, a fall from paradise is meant to be
<(Classified) I know the way the world works>
Destination in his eyes, counting down, this is the time -
It's hard to explain, a fall from paradise was meant to be
<(Classified) I ain't close to bein finished>
None of them believed in him, some just walked away"

"But I ain't worked in years, and some think I'm famous, While other people ask when the hell I'm gonna make it?"

"I went through all types of bullshit, the story go way back, and I'm proud of myself now, though its corny to say that"

"I did more than I imagined, tours I couldn't fathom, broke down doors for sure, I let 'em have it, If any opportunity came, I had to grab it, Any goals set, I rose, then ran past it, Not a superstar and never wanted that"

**Just a sidenote, so that I don't scare anyone else - no I haven't been released by the Jays - and no I haven't quit baseball**

Reigniting and Revamping the Blog...

2009-10-02T09:01:00.004-07:00

So here's the deal... I'm trying to add some new gadgets, delete some old links and info, and make the page just a little newer. I have 2 weeks here in New Mexico spending lots of time with Shorty, but while she's working and doing homework I have solid chunks of time to work on this and make it as personable, informative, eye catching and interesting as I possibly can.

To all my loyal readers and to anyone just dropping by, don't hesitate to let me know what you guys think. All feedback is good, it will help me move along in the right direction with my blog.

Thank you,

Leon

Serious world travellers

2009-10-01T06:32:00.002-07:00

Written about 3 weeks ago from the Boston Airport=

I would like to thank Timmy Collins my roommate over the past 2 weeks and one of the most exciting and interesting pitchers I have ever seen and/or played with for putting me up last night and taking me to the airport today.

Tim is rare, and will always be climbing uphill against the grain and fighting off critics, which he has done gracefully so far. The rosters say he's 5'7", but realistically he stands around 5'5" or 5'6" and a soaking wet 150 pounds, he is the 2nd smallest player in professional baseball, and he's a pitcher. Tim is a left-handed power pitcher at that, his straight over the top fastball sits between 91-94 MPH, and his strikeout pitch is a filthy curve ball. He uses everything he can in every pitch, a lot like a left handed Tim Lincecum. The interesting part is that he just turned 20 last week. His strikeout stats are ridiculous, and he had such a good year last year in single A as an 18 year old that he was named all of minor leagues 'Single A pitcher of the year'. Not bad, keep an eye on this kid... anyways, back to what popped in my head a little earlier to write about.

Tim is second from the right, I'm in the back with most of the bullpen and some of our very loyal fans at the ballpark in Portland, Maine the last game of the season.

On the way to my last bullpen session today in a city called Worcester (pronounced Wuss-ster) Massachusetts we stopped at a little place called Lango’s subs and pizza. Huge menu, and I had their fajita wrap which was delicious, but the thing that makes me want to write this blog was what I saw on their walls.

Their owner seemed to be quite the world traveller, and had pictures of himself from all over the world in collages, and had them labeled. Timmy Collins has never been out of the states, and he thought this was the coolest thing ever. So I looked closer at some of his destinations, I realized had been to many of them, Paris, yep, Grand Canyon, yep, Barcelona, check... on and on. This spurred my blog-mind and made me want to boast/make people feel sorry for my travel schedule/let everyone know about the crazy world travels Shorty and I have encountered over the past few years.

My wife whom on my blog I call by Shorty has quite a rare feat that she accomplished over the past 7 months. She has driven our little Civic Hybrid to all 4 corner states in the USA. In February we drove from Vancouver down to California and then across to Oklahoma. When I was assigned to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Shorty made the 24 hour drive to join me up there, and at one point followed us on the road to Portland, Maine. A couple months later I had to head to south, down to Dunedin, Florida to pitch for the Dunedin Blue Jays. Shorty, the trooper she is, drove all the way down the east coast to complete her feat and have driven herself and our car to all 4 corner states of mainland USA.

Shorty and I in Negril, Jamaica for our honeymoon

Here are a handful of the cities and countries we have visited over the past 3 years...

Shorty and I=

Negril, Jamaica (Honeymoon)

Las Vegas, Nevada (drove through on cross-country road trip)

*Amsterdam + Rotterdam, Netherlands (where I played ball in 2007-08)

*Antwerp, Belgium (where I played in 2006)

*Dunedin, Florida (summer 2009)

Paris, France (summer day visit for shorty and I in 2006)

*Manchester, New Hampshire (spring-summer 2009)

Regensburg, Germany (European baseball cup, 2008)

*Vancouver, Canada (our winter destination every year)

Puerto Rico (WBC 2009)

Miami, Florida (also WBC 2009)

*Tulsa, Oklahoma (multiple times, Shorty's folks place)

*= Stayed for a month or longer

Me=

Taipei, Taiwan (2006 Intercontinental cup, 2007 World Cup)

Hong Kong + Beijing, China (2008 summer Olympics)

Barcelona, Spain (2007 European championships/ Olympic qualifier)

Seoul, Korea (Pre-Olympic training camp 2008)

Zurich, Switzerland (stop over)

I may add more destinations to this list over the next few days as I think of them... We lead crazy lives. I have been living off the same clothes out of a carry-on and my big duffel bag over the past 8 months, it's not easy living out of a bag. Going from day to day, packing up your bag, making sure enough clothes are clean, folded (wrinkles are inevitable in this lifestyle) gets very old very quick. I am looking forward to being back at home so that I can unpack and live out of the same room for at least 3 months. I live an amazing life, this is just one of the overlooked 'you gotta deal with it' parts of this lifestyle, and I'm fine with that as long as I can keep playing baseball and getting better and better at my craft.

And that's a season...

2009-09-30T12:47:00.004-07:00

I've suited up for about 180 games in the past 7 months, and pitched in about 65 of them, and finally this season has come to an end. Ironically the only game I started all year was the very last game. I wasn't able to be stretched much more than 60 pitches since I have been pitching out of the bullpen all year, so I could only get 4 innings in, but god it felt good to start.

After the first year of my life as strictly a relief pitcher I realize how much more I am cut out to be a starter rather than a reliever. I'm not saying I won't embrace a relief role as a pitcher, I will do my best with whatever any team I play with would like to use me as, there's no question there. Although for myself, growing up as a starter and going through high school, college and the past 3 years in Europe as a starter, it's just what I was molded to be.

I had a very sub par World Championships to my standards. I carried over my messed up mechanics and a slight lack of confidence from my minor league season into my first couple of outings resulting some shaky, don't know where the ball is going, innings. Finally, with the aid of my personal pitching coach ( my dad ) and some video comparisons of me pitching in the WBC and me pitching a couple weeks ago I realized the changes I needed to make, and that led to 2 runs and 9 k's over my last 7 innings at the WC. Bringing my arm slot back up to where I was before this year, and understanding and accepting that where I was at, and the bad habits I had got into on the mound throughout this season were getting me no where. I haven't thrown for 2 days now, and I already miss it, I miss throwing the ball, and being the go to guy out of the pen or in the rotation...which is why...

I'm really looking forward to getting back to a hardcore training program I will push myself through in the next 5 months, starting upon my return to Vancouver in a couple weeks. I plan on losing 20 pounds, and get as physically, mentally strong as I can be by the time spring training rolls around in late February.

Until that though, I am going to relax for a couple of weeks and enjoy my time here in Portales, New Mexico with Shorty. Forget about baseball (except for the playoffs on TV) but for the most part rest the body and have it ready for action once I get back home.

World Cup

2009-09-20T01:50:00.002-07:00

We are 6-0 so far in the Baseball World Cup and taking on the powerhouse Cubans tonight. Tomorrow morning we fly to Italy for the final round where the top 8 countries in the tournament are going to battle for the crown of the world champion.

Follow the tournament standings, schedule and stats here=

www.2009baseballworldcup.com

World Cup Anticipation

2009-09-04T22:07:00.002-07:00

I am pretty excited to head to Europe on Tuesday. Not for the obvious reasons, such as, going to Europe, eating delicious and mostly healthy foods, because that is old news to me, I’ve lived there from 2006-2008; between playing in Belgium and Holland I’ve seen most of and parts of 6 different European countries. I am very excited to play ball at an international level again, and play again with all of my former teammates with the Dutch National team that I have been part of for all the major international tournaments since 2006.

It will be great to see my friends again, and I hope to help out my team in any way possible when I get there. I am prepared for whatever role they have for me. I’ve been used predominantly in a starter role with the national team, but was brought in as a closer in the World Baseball Classic, which I would need to be ready for again. I don’t expect the closing job though since we are getting 7’1” twins farm hand Loek Van Mil. Loek has recently touched 99 MPH, which is ridiculously fast and easy for someone with that kind of wingspan I guess. I am excited to get back into action with the Nederland, and see if we can’t turn a few heads in international baseball again.

First things first, 3 more games in Portland, Maine, then once I arrive in Holland a game in Holland against Italy that night. 2 games to follow in Italy (I think), then back to Holland to host ½ of the second round of the tournament. That puts 8 teams at our place, top 4 moves on to the final round in Italy. Keep up with me on here; I will do my best to keep everyone in the loop for the World Championships, all the happenings, ups, downs and in betweens.

Breaking the mold..

2009-09-03T23:53:00.002-07:00

A long season is coming to a close. Many of the guys have been counting down the games, innings and even outs needed until the season is up, but personally I have a very different outlook on this subject.

Yea, 142 games in 6 months can take a toll on the body and mind, but like I was telling some of my bullpen mates the other day, I would gladly play an 11 month season with a 1 month break if I could. I know, I know… sounds kind of crazy (‘loco’ like my Latino team mates would say), but this is the game I love. It would be a lot to ask of a players body to be able and available for nearly 280 games in a season, but if the body can remain strong enough, why not?

Ask my wife, I could be at the field at 1 for my game, play at 7, get home at 11 and if ESPN happens to air it, I would watch another game if it's on TV, until I fall to sleep around 1-2 am. I love this game, I can’t get enough. At a young age, I was given options on what sports to play by my folks, and my dad and I fell in love with baseball around the same time when I was 9-10. We watched almost every Seattle Mariners game that was televised, as well as Toronto Blue Jays games on CBC and Sports net in Canada. This didn’t stop, and never has, even when I visit home for holidays and visits these days my dad and I never pass up a game on TV, that now goes for Canucks hockey too.

Anyways, back to the point, if my arm could handle it, which I think it could since it feels pretty strong these days, I think a long season would definitely be bearable. I’m sure my wife would frown upon this post, but if she were to be able to travel and or be with me season round, I’m sure she would be fine with this idea.

I just don’t see how some guys are so ready to be done with the season, what do we do in the off season? Most of our guys (in double A) make 1600 a month, so do not make enough money during the season to cover them throughout the whole off season, in turn meaning they need off season jobs. My demeaning off season job last year was working as a clerk at a local supermarket. I have a bachelors, I am way to qualified to have to put up with a 20 hours a week, 10 dollars an hour job that consists of corralling carts in from the parking lot and doing price checks.

Either way, the 11 months season will never happen, so this is why many guys are hooking themselves up with teams in Venezuela, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico right now making decent money from October to January. Baseball can be year round, you just need to find the right places to play.

I have no closing point to this, but saying I am ready to finish strong... and watch out.

Up All Night - Classified

2009-08-11T10:18:00.003-07:00

The newest music video of my cousin and canadian rap icon 'Classified' .

Check it out here.

The janitor who sings the chorus is Classified's (Luke Boyd) father, and is looking more and more like my dad and his brother.

Movin' On Up

2009-08-10T08:34:00.003-07:00

Friking Zep.

That was about my favorite line during the first 2 months of the season while talking about my roommate, Marc Rzepczynski. A genuine good guy with all good intentions. As we call him "Zep" since his threw very well over the first 3 ½ months of the year, so well he was leading the Eastern League in strikeouts, and was a candidate for the starting bit at the EL all-star game. He was moved up 2 weeks before the game to triple A Las Vegas. Zep made 2 starts there giving up only 1 earned run over those starts, the next weeks big league starter, and Vancouver native Scott Richmond gets hurt, opening up a spot in the bigs. Zep gets the call. I was fortunate enough to be one of the first to find out about Zeps good news, and called while he was packing for a trip to meet the team in Tampa Bay, to get ready to start 3 days later against the American league champions the Rays. So far over 6 starts he has held his own, and his record doesn’t give him credit for how well he’s dealt in the show so far. He’s got more K’s than innings pitched, and less hits than IP, with a record of 1-3 and an era around 3.30 (not sure exactly right now since I’m writing this on my lap top on the bus, with so wireless).

Zep is blessed with a strong left arm sporting a 90 MPH fastball that runs like Prefontaine, and a ‘plus’ major league slider which he struck out Arod on a couple days ago.
I wish him all the best, but I know he doesn’t need it because he’ll do great in baseball, remember his name, even though it’s ridiculously confusing.

Marc Rzepczynski ,#34.

House Of Relievers

2009-08-10T08:18:00.002-07:00

Last week something interesting happened. We had a house packed with pitchers, 5 of us to be exact, 4 relievers and a injured started. Well, the injury ended up bringing the starter back down to Dunedin, FL to the Blue Jays complex. This left us with 4 of the 7 relief pitchers all in one house. Over the past 2 weeks we have signed 2 free agent pitchers, Matt Hensley and Bryan Dumesnil (I will blog soon about Dumesnil, we go way back). Okay back to the story… Finally yesterday we “came to terms” and invited both Hensley and Dumesnil to move in with with the 4 of us. Unfortunately we have only 4 rooms, and they we’re occupied by Myself, Nate Starner, Zach Dials, and Daniel Farquhar. This left the air mattress in the kitchen, and our rented double seater couch available.

We now have 6 of the 12 pitchers all bunking up in one house, and 6 of the 7 relievers. We all get along well. Everyone has a very different upbringing and personality. I’ll run through the 6 of us in a baseball and personal bio with it.

Nate Starner – 25 year old left hander, who throws in the upper 80’s with some dirty off speed stuff, has struggled with mechanics all year causing him to falter some. He’s a very religious kid from Pennsylvania, and was a senior sign pitcher out of Shippensburg University (division 2). He loves the Disney channel and has never tasted alcohol. Great guy.

Zach Dials – 23 year old prospect who played all last year here in AA ball as the closer, but has arm troubles this season sending him down to single A ball for a period. He throws hard, 90-94 with sink, and has a solid sinker. He’s a book you can read by the cover, once you talk to him once, you will know exactly what kind of guy he is, he doesn’t hide a thing which is his strong point I’d say… also, great guy.

Daniel Farquhar – 23 year old drafted in last years 10th round, is one of our teams most intriguing players. As our closer, he is about 5’10” 175 and has hit 98 mph this year. He has an electric arm, with electric stuff. He sits 91-93 throwing sidearm, and around 95 mph throwing over the top. The Blue Jays are moving him through the system quickly. He’ s the kind of guy who is always good to have around.

Matt Hensley – 30 year old, has pitched in the big leagues. Great guy, quiet, laid back and chill all come to mind when thinking about him. We signed him out of the Atlantic league, he was a closer there, but is filling in well as a middle relief pitcher for us. He’s got great insight and some solid big league stories for us in the pen.

Bryan Dumesnil – 25 year old Canadian. Played on team Canada in the WBC this year, but unfortunately didn’t get any action since the Canadian team went 2 and out. I grew up playing against “Dumy” when he played for the Nanaimo Pirates from Vancouver Island. We’ve kept reasonable contact over the past couple years. Great guy.

Me – 25 year old middle relief pitcher, throwing predominantly sidearm again (finally back to what works for me). I’m in the upper 80’s flirting with 90 these days, trying to limit the walks and maximize the ground balls. Of course, Great guy…

It’s nice to have a house as cozy as ours sometimes. We have great times, and play the crap out of this card game called PSOY. We tally the points of this game and the loser out of every game of four has to do certain punishments. Here are come of the punishments the 4 of us have had to perform for losing at this card game on certain nights.

- Paint toe nails whatever the color the winner decides he wants to you wear for a week (in our case a purple with shiny sparkles).
- Sit in the cold tub at 40 Degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes without getting the chance to sit in the hot tub before hand.
- Wear a team hat for 7 days straight, 24/7, even in the club house at the field the only time it’s void is on the field.
- Run to Seven Eleven, and buy the other 3 guys ice cream treats.
- Eat a very very hot pepper.
- Chug a Monster energy drink in 30 seconds in 30 seconds, at 2:30 am.
- Eat 6 Dunkin Donuts donuts in 2 minutes,
- Clean our nasty bathroom with only sanitary wipes.

Pretty good hey? We come up with some very good stuff, we all have good imaginations. The thing is, the 6 of us spend about 16 hours a day together, we have good times together, stressful times, bitchy times, but mostly we click like a gang that has all different weapons, because that’s how we see ourselves and relievers, none of us bring the same arsenal to the mound.

The only reliever I left our of this is Edgar Estanga, a 23 year old Venezuelan who lives with a few other Latino players by the field. A great guy whose head I shaved earlier, and has about the filthiest off speed stuff in the pen, specially since he throws 75% junk.

Time to go on the road, heading to Bowie, Maryland for 3 games, then Altoona for 3.

2010 Class

2009-07-27T17:46:00.002-07:00

I stumbled upon a brand new article posted on MLB.com stating next years top prospects to be enshrined in the baseball hall of fame. My coach and good friend Bert Blyleven is in that group, and understandably so. He's 5th all time in strike outs, 287 career wins... come on, He should have been in 13 years ago when he was first put on the ballot.

We'll have to wait a bit to finally find out if he is voted in for next year. But I truly believe its about that time. Check out the article here.

The Doc effect

2009-07-26T18:05:00.002-07:00

If you've watched any sports network (except in Europe) over the past 3 weeks you have undoubtedly heard about the trade rumors regarding Roy "Doc" Halladay, the Toronto Blue Jays ace. It's normal for a big player or two to be traded at the trade dead line every year (July 31st, 4 pm), so this is nothing new to me, but this time, since we are in the same organization, my team would be directly influenced by what happens.

See, the Blue Jays are looking to trade Doc for a bevy of prospects from some clubs. They just turned down a trade offer from the Phillies which would have seen us getting 3 prospects and a big league starter. The 3 prospects are all at a double A level, so that means if Doc is traded, we get 3 new team mates.

We have been struggling in parts of our game, so a trade bringing us a few new bats and arms couldn't hurt.

I've come to learn more and more helping me realize how influential injuries, promotions, struggling players, guys getting released, and trades affect every single level in organizations. for instance, BJ Ryan got released a couple weeks ago, so a reliever moves up from every team in the organization to fill the void.

We have about 40 games left in our 142 game schedule, I am aiming to finish as strong as I started the season. Throwing strikes from my new submarine arm angle is the key, keeping everything in the zone and getting outs are my key.

Okay, I know I've said it a bunch, but I'm going to try and put up a blog at least every 4 days or so... stay tuned!

back in Dubs

2009-06-22T17:12:00.000-07:00

I was called back up 4 days ago and arrived back here 3 days ago. My first appearance did not go as planned, but that's in the past.

I'm about to turn a new leaf with a little recent psychological shuffling I trust that everything is going to fit into place, and that my pitching will head in the "unhittable" direction (which is always desired, but now always shown.

Heading on the road for 3 games, I'll write more tomorrow.

Off to Reading, PA (Phillies AA)

Positive demotion

2009-06-04T08:43:00.002-07:00

So I'm back in Dunedin. And it's for the better.

I was called into the head coaches office in New Hampshire on the 26th, and was promptly told that management had made the move to send me to High A, a level below where I had logged 12.2 innings and 5 saves over a nearly 2 month period. I was informed that there was a pitching "log jam" in the upper minor leagues, and that I was heading south to regain my "swagger" after a couple rough outings. It didn't help that at the day before 2 big league pitchers came off the DL and that normally shuffles down the minor league system.

Eight hours after I was informed of the move, I was in the airplane heading south; 2 bags with all my stuff and a changed mindset. I've been working harder, focusing all my energy and time towards improving my game, my mindset, my body and anything that can make me a better pitcher. In New Hampshire I'd arrive around 2 at the field, here I get there between 12:30 and 1 for a 7 pm game. I have extra time to work out, stretch, do tubing, relax before the game, anything that will make me a have a better outing that day.

Shorty and I had a couple days to find a place to stay here and are now posted up with a teammate from New Hampshire's girlfriend who lives down here, just north of Dunedin. It's a good spot for us, a furnished spare room and bathroom are ours for about 1/2 the price we were paying in NH and it's set in a cozy suburban town home neighborhood. Shorty followed me down the coast taking a couple days to make it here in our Civic Hybrid, she's a trooper, I know, I tell her this daily. On a side note, our car has been to all 4 corner states of the USA in the past 4 months.

Through 4 appearances and 6 innings here in Dunedin I've given up 2 runs, 8 K's, 2 BB (including 1 int. bb) and am a work in progress on regaining the "Swag".

Time to head to the park.

Dutch Hoofdklasse vs. Double-A Eastern League

2009-05-16T11:12:00.002-07:00

When I was first was being recruited to play in Holland while playing my first year of European baseball in Belgium I was given a vague comparison of the level of the Dutch semi-pro league. I was told it was somewhere between single A to double A level of American minor league baseball. Throughout my 2 seasons in Holland I had no way to actually compare the two, other than basing Team USA's double A level players skill level to how we did against them in the World Championship and Olympics. Realistically though, all those players are now major leaguers' and they don't give an accurate read on all of double A. After 36 games here playing for New Hampshire in the Eastern League I have a more rounded idea of the caliber.

To be able to compare this league with the Dutch hoofdklasse (headclass or top division baseball in Holland) isn't fair. The level is overall very even at this level, at least with the 3 teams we've played over and over. Pitchers are all 87-92 with movement, the guys throwing 95 throw straight. Hitters are all fairly polished, they spit on sliders in the dirt, take 0-2 fastballs at the letters and hit mistakes well. Every team has first rounders and possess players who are close or ready for the show.

The Hoofdklasse is a league full of solid players, a league led by defence. The top offensive teams tends to make the finals, and Neptunus, my club club team for the past couple of years, gave up less than 200 runs in 84 games over 2 years, and we didn't even make the finals. Currently through 16 games for each team and 6 starts for starters there are 4 starters with era's below 1.00. The caliber in the top teams could rival a single A or double A club whereas the the 4-6 place teams have potential, and if they were able to play daily they would not be far behind the caliber I have seen so far in the Eastern League.

Time to play the Portland Sea Dogs for the first time this year. They are the double A affiliate to the Boston Red Sox, so we're facing the next wave of Papelbon's, Papi's and Pedrioa's. Wish us luck.

Home sweet home?

2009-05-09T19:30:00.008-07:00

I throw pretty much all submarine these days, they like it and it seems to be effective. (Todd Bliss photo)

We are 2 games into our home stand back here in Manchester, New Hampshire, and have split those games so far. This is not a abnormal trend for us thus far this year. We have a 17-12 record, but have done much better on the road than at home, surprisingly.

Last nights game provided viewers or listeners of the game with about the best offensive game for a single player I've ever witnessed. Our first baseman Brian Dopirak went 5 for 6 with 2 home runs, 2 doubles and a triple, and 8 RBI's. He needed a single for the cycle in the last at bat, but chose to stretch his rocket down the left field line into a double saying after "I wanted to play it right". Very commendable.

Anyways, we won 18-6, and since there I hadn't had any save chances or good opportunities to get into games over the past 4 games I got a mop up inning in the 9th. After starting the first batter off 3-0, I came back to get 2 fly outs and a ground out.

Today we didn't have quite the same offensive outburst as yesterday, and lost 4-2. My room mate Marc Rzepczynski lost his second game of the year, putting him at a highly respectable 5-2 this year, but is still leading double A in strikeouts (and walks, but we don't talk about that stat, actually yes we do, I give him crap about it regularly).

Over the next couple of of weeks we will be having several major league pitchers coming through Manchester on rehabilitation assignments. Ricky Romero, Casey Janssen and Blue Jays closer BJ Ryan will be taking some of our innings over the upcoming games, which is expected, and absolutely fine.

I was interviewed this week by the National Post, one of Canada's most widespread newspapers. Writer John Lott called me in my hotel room on our previous road trip while we were in Binghamton, he asked questions and interviewed me for about 25 minutes and ended up writing this article in today's national post.

The pictures posted on this blog have all been taken by people who have posted them on my facebook page, they are from all aspects of the game from anthems, to autographs to action...

Doing what I can to protect the bullpens from possible foul balls (on the left)...

Signing some autographs for the kids, there are a lot of autograph seekers at our games, looking for my John Hancock on anything from bats, to hats, to gloves, to paper, to arms...

One of my odd smirks, must have just seen one of the bullpen pitchers do something really dumb, or funny...

Our 'Battlestance' it's a bullpen thing. Not sure how we started it, but we do this during every anthem, we also sing our freaking hearts out.

The average bullpen scene.
Me apparently feeling quite nonshalont about doing the bullpen chart for the day...

Back at it

2009-05-04T09:00:00.003-07:00

Hi again people.

Back on the road again, in New Britain for the second time already this year. We´ve played 24 games so far and have compiled at 15-9 record, have solid starting pitching a fairly good pen, and the offence and defence have been doing quite well so far. We have a team with a couple big name prospects, but overall have a mix of just solid players. So far everyone has been playing their parts on the team, RBI guys are knocking people in, starters are going their 5-7 innings, relievers are doing their jobs to keep us in ballgames. We just need to keep on keeping on.

We just left Binghamton, New York where we took two or three from the Mets double-A affiliate. Binghamton is a team featuring 4 Canadians, which is probably the most on any one team in the minor leagues. So far every team we´ve played have had a Canadian on them. Interestingly enough, every team we´ve played have a Canadian who played int he same prep league I came up through in BC, the Premier league. Today we face off against the twins featuring 3 hole hitter Rene Tosoni from Coquitlam BC. Our last games against the Mets featured their 5 hole power threat Shawn Bowman, also of Coquitlam, BC. We´ve played the Connecticut Defenders a couple of times, and their ace is Brooks McNevin of Kelowna, BC. We´re everywhere, watch out.

I´m going to try and blog more often... yep, I say that a lot, I know, but I need to keep you people more informed, and I realize this. I´ll try to get shorty to pop a few pictures here and there at games, and whatnot around Manchester when I get back from this road trip so that you can have an idea of how we´re seeing life right now.

Til next blog.

Day games...

2009-04-26T05:52:00.001-07:00

Today morning we have our 3rd home afternoon game. An afternoon game means we arrive at the field around 8:45 am for a 1pm game, sounds crazy, but it does make sense.I'll give you a little run through on how today is going to go.

8:30 - leave the house for Merchantsauto.com stadium a few minutes down the road.
8:45 - Arrive at the field, check the 'board' for todays batting practice jobs and any other daily news we need to know. Get to our lockers, get out of our manditory collared shirts and take our clean wash off the loops we put into the laundry after yesterdays game.
9:45 - Pitchers stretch first always, we do this so that we can get our throwing and running programs out of the way by the time batting practice starts.
10:15 - Batting practice, today I had fungo's (which I am a pro at by the way). 45 minutes later we head off the field, through the dugout into the clubhouse. As a relief pitcher, I don't need to be back on the field until 12:45, so I have almost 2 hours to workout, have something to eat, shower, watch some sports center, play cards, bullshit with team mates, get a coffee in me, and finally get my uniform on.
12:45 - I could walk under the bleachers, the back way to the bullpen, but I normally go through the dugout instead. I walk through the dugout to enable me to walk down the line, where all the kids and autograph seekers know to sit to get our guys to sign stuff.
1:00 - Anthem time, our bullpen enjoys getting after the national anthem, sometimes in harmony, sometimes it's brutal.
1:05 - Gametime. I wait for the call later on in the game and try to help my team win a ballgame.

The night game preparations are pretty much the same, just later on.

We're 11-5 right now, and will be trying to pick up another win here in a bit.

The big #200

2009-04-21T09:09:00.004-07:00

Wow, I didn't even realize it, but my last post was #200 since I started my blog in February 2007 and over about 400 days I've thrown up 200 posts. Since I put up a post for my 100th entry, I figured to give this one some love too.

Let's see, since I started writing about the happenenings in the life of my wife and I put up posts about such things as...

-> Our amazing wedding in Oklahoma in march
-> A beautiful Jamaican honeymoon
-> My seconds year playing in the Dutch Headclass
-> A no-hitter against the Amsterdam Pirates
-> The 2008 pre-olympics and Olympic games in Beijing
-> The honor of being the best man at two of my best friends wedding back in BC
-> Adventures and happenings of living in Holland for 8 months with my wife
-> Living back at home for 3 months in Vancouver
-> Pre-WBC training in Florida
-> The WBC in Puerto rico and Miami
-> Signing and playing with the Blue Jays in their minor league system
-> Many many other blogs about random occurrences, daily happenings, good things, bad things, and anything that I've experienced over the incredible past 14 months. Most of them are accompanied by pictures.

Anyways, I'm going to try and keep up the blogging while I'm here playing for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and wherever else life may take me and my wife Shorty.

Getting settled in on the road

2009-04-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

Well hey there! It's been a while, I know. Sometimes literary lazyness can take over. It helps that I just figured out how to make posts on my cellphone, this will make roadtrips into blogtrips (as long as I can keep car sickness at a distance).

I got my visa figured out finally on thursday, and did make the game by the 5th inn, in time to get my first appearance in the 9th, and lock down a 2-0 win, earning the save. The next night basically the same situation unfolded, and I earned another save in a 2-0 victory.

I'd better get going, we're at the Conecticut Defenders field now.

Time to win some ball games...

It's about that time

2009-04-14T20:59:00.003-07:00

I've waited about 8 years to make my professional debut, so whats another day?

Tomorrow I'm flying to Toronto with (knock on wood (yeah I'm fairly superstitious)) all the paperwork I need to be approved and get my visa to be able to officially play minor league ball, finally. The Blue Jays management booked my flight so that I would be able to perhaps be available for relief once I fly home for our 6:35 start.

I'm flying Manchester to Toronto at 11:10 am, getting off that plane, walking straight out and to the Air Canada counter to pick up my return ticket. At that point I proceed directly to US immigration, where I'll need to go to an office or something to get the paperwork out of the way, and wait 4 hours to board my return flight. Upon arrival back in Manchester at 7:05 pm, I will promptly find a cab, and get to the field asap. I'm thinking (barring any delays) I can make it to the bullpen by about the 6th-7th inning, in time to maybe make my debut. I do not know if I will pitch, but I am going to go about it like I expect to, so that I will be ready no matter what.

On another note I've realized we are a hot cold team, as most teams are, streaky. We won our first three and have proceeded to lose our next three, with the latest defeat a 2-0 heartbreaker tonight.

I saw the most dominating start I think I've ever witnessed tonight, and I've seen a lot of baseball in my life. Our starter Rei Gonzalaez from Key West, Florida threw as efficienly as any starter I've ever seen. He gave up 5 hits, okay, struck out 4, okay, walked none, good. But the amazing numbers in the game were not all the zero's he put up over 8 and 2/3 innings of work, no, it's the fact that he only used 71 pitches. He never threw more than 4 pitches to any batter unless he struck them out. That's rediculous! Unfortunately he was pulled for a lefty - lefty matchup with 2 outs in the 9th that didn't pay off despite his low pitch count, so he wasn't able to get a chance for a win, or a complete game. Still, I won't forget this outing. I've been part of 2 no-hitters, and many complete games and they were nowhere near as maserful as what Rei Gonzalez did today for the Fisher Cats.

Time to get some sleep, tomorrow is potentially a very big day.

New News

2009-04-09T19:28:00.006-07:00

Fisher Cat season kicked off 2 nights ago, and we have 3 games down, and are 3-0. 3solid pitching performances, a 2nd baseman and 2 hole hitter with 7 RBI's and 4 doubles in 3 games.

My soon to be new room mate (replacing the irreplaceable Martijn Meeuwis with Neptunus and the dutch team) is Marc Rzepczynski. Marc and I go way back, we played summer ball together for the Bellingham Bells in the summer of 2004 when we were both young and not nearly as experienced as we are now. Let me tell you some about him. He's a 23 year old lefty from southern Cali, real nice guy, a talker and a guy who doesn't realize how good he can be, well sometimes he does, but gets quickly chopped down by his team mates when is gets to that. He throws 90-92 with movement, and throws strikes. Dirty.

We are close to moving into our new apartment just off the downtown strip in Manchester, New Hampshire. We just need our furniture on Saturday, and are good to move in.

I am waiting to get my Visa approved and get the paperwork to be able to actually play for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Since I signed to near to the actual seasons start, I need to wait for my visa to be accepted, and then I can play baseball, and get paid. It should be less then a week from now when I am able to play, but you never know, and we will see.

We have 142 games this season, and I am excited to get into games, I think I would have at least 2 outings in by now. From the way I threw in spring training the double A pitching coach wants me to throw almost all submarine, which is fine with me. It's different, but I will take it, and run with it. I've been throwing strikes and despite I, and no other major league guys can throw submarine harder then 84 MPH, I am happy to make the switch, as long as the Blue Jays like it, and I succeed in that role.

Life's aright... just waiting for Shorty to get here, and for life to keep on keeping on.

Last few days

2009-04-06T18:40:00.004-07:00

I'm learning a bit about the city here and getting somewhat settled in (but still not really yet). We're about to have our second night in the comfort inn here in Manchester, New Hampshire, and have one more night on the Blue Jays here giving us 3 days to find accommodations.

We (my wife Shorty and I, and left handed pitching room mates Nathan Starner and Marc Rzepczynski) have found a 3 bedroom apartment in downtown Manchester. It's very very nice, but we just have to put up a reasonably high (but worth the nice apartment) price per month to live there. We went out to check out some apartments today and checked out 2 of the few apartment complexes which were able to accompany our needs and give us a 6 month lease or less. Anyways, we will move is there either Wednesday or Thursday and are going to rent furniture for a Fisher Cat special price, which is about 75% cheaper than what is offered by the apartment complex.

We got a quick practice in this morning, 6 pitchers including myself got into a simulated game (pitching against our own batters without fielders) and most guys got a solid gym workout in here at the stadium. By the way, our stadium is awesome, very very nice. I think it fits about 10,000, has a Hilton hotel right behind the left center field fence, and also a Bar and grill directly behind the left field wall. Very cool looking field.

We had a meet and greet with the season ticket holders and all the local fans tonight. We sat in a row, all 24 of us and signed autographs on balls, bats, gloves, banners, hats, paper, signs, and even a water bottle. Overall it was great to meet and chat with a lot of the kids and fans that came through today.

Our first game is Wednesday night, and after that, only 139 more!

Finals Rosters

2009-04-02T19:10:00.003-07:00

They told us in an early morning meeting about sending bags, teamwork, and the all important minor league final rosters.

I have been assigned to... Dum dumdum Duuuuum!! Double A, New Hampshire Fisher Cats!!I am very excited to get up there and be able to put together a solid campaign.

I will be a relief pitcher. Not sure which role they'll be giving me, but I hope I get some decent work in, and that I'll be able to do my best. We have 25 players on our roster, this includes 4 outfielders, 2 catchers, 13 pitchers and 6 infielders... a solid roster, with a lot of potential. We'll see how it all pans out.

I'll give you some more posts once I'm back in New Hampshire, and have a place to live!

Another missed article ...

2009-03-31T17:33:00.001-07:00

The Edmonton Chrinicle had a nice article about me and my boys from the WBC upsets we pulled off.

Ramdom minors notes...

2009-03-30T14:21:00.005-07:00

I had another outing today. Since some pitchers have recently been demoted from major league camp to triple A and were due to pitch today, me and 2 other double A roster pitchers threw for the high A squad at home against the Pirates high A team.

I went the 6th and 7th and was able to face the minimum, with 3 grounders, a strikeout, and 2 fly outs. I think we won, but I don't really know, they don't use the scoreboard for these spring training games. Arm feels good, weather is great and that definetely helps with that.

Several top prospects and triple A guys get to go play with the big league club every day. I did not know they did this before the past couple weeks, but every morning on the 'board' they put about 8-10 names of position players and pitchers who are to attend the major league spring training game. Most position players get into the games and have an at bat or two, but pitchers are sent as backups, and rarely get into the game. No, I haven't seen my name on the board yet, and I don't expect to since I'm just a rookie.

Alright, time to put my 13$ a day meal money to use and get something delicious.

Til' next time.

Belated WBC photo's

2009-03-29T17:30:00.013-07:00

Here are some pictures of the World Baseball Classic, albeit a bit delayed. I have to comment my wife on the excellent photography for the first 16 pictures and Christopher Elise (copyrights by the way) for the last 6.

Enoy...

Bert Blyleven and myself pre-USA game

My wife and I about 5 mins after the second and hugest upset...

Sad Papi...

Our two games against them captured in one picture...

Tiny... greatest roommate and teammate a guy could ask for...

Hall of Famer and Mr. Baseball Tommy Lasorda... awesome guy, and gave us a great pre-game speech.

*CE* Win #1....

*CE* Crazy celebration #2

*CE* This pic sounded like this = "Shorty got them apple bottom bottom jeans, boots with the fuuuur, the shole club was looking at her..." ... don't ask.

*CE*

*CE* This guy

*CE* This guy 3

Typical Tiger Triumph

2009-03-29T16:56:00.003-07:00

After 'camp day' here at minor league camp (meaning intersquad) we retired to the hotel around 4ish and were able to get some extra hours of rest and relaxation.

I was able to catch the last 5 holes of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament after the UNC vs. OU game in march madness finished. Tiger Woods was in contention for his first win in 8 months since he had a left knee surgery. As usual he was wearing his Sunday red Nike shirt (which means it's time to step it up for him) and entered the day down 5 strokes to Sean O'hair, but leave it to him to catch up. On the last hole he made a remarkable approach shot tied at 14 under, and with the other players watching, he needed to drain his very long putt for the win. In typical Tiger fashion he made a dramatic shot, sinking the putt and putting himself back in golfs' spotlight with his 66th career PGA win in just over 220 tournaments, that's a 29% win rate.

You can see it in his eyes, I can almost imagine what he's thinking and how focused he has to be to succeed at that level. I am going to try and take what I can visually learn from him on a CBS sportscast, and interpret that into a pitching outing as well as I can. Tiger gets 1,080,000 for the win instead of the second place 648,000, but you can tell it's not about making that extra 432,000 for him, it's the hunger to win, and the focus that is all lifted once he sank that last huge putt. This is about the 10th time I've gotten to see him win a PGA event, it's always special and amazing to watch.

I tip my cap, cheers, prost and give my kudos to the biggest 'gamer' I've ever watched.

Oops, missed one UPDATED...

2009-03-28T15:19:00.005-07:00

In my previous post I missed this very in depth article by the Globe and Mails' Tom Hawthorn, who also wrote 2 other very intricate articles.

It's a few days later I find this article from the NY times.

Some media from the Dutch team and myself...

2009-03-27T18:10:00.009-07:00

The official WBC had a nice departing article of us, depicting how we showed ourselves in this most recent World Baseball Classic.

This is the first interview I did, before the WBC from my little dorm at Pirate city where the dutch team was training for the WBC. Interviewed by a huge baseball fan, and World Baseball Challenge coordinator Jim Swanson, who is also a writer for the Price George Citizen Newspaper.

Couldn't find the original webpage featuring this article by Tom Hawthorn or the Glode and mail in Canada, but managed to scrounge through some site and find it on his blog...

An interview I did directly after the World Baseball Classic...

This is a pretty neat site I found charting some of my movement, and talking about me and a couple other pitchers in the WBC, dad you'll appreciate this.

Another site featuring a graph of my pitches and stuff, even though apparently they think my submarine pitches are changeups.

A week in Dunedin

2009-03-27T16:03:00.004-07:00

I've been at the Blue Jays minor league spring training camp for just over a week now. It is somewhat what I was expecting from a spring camp, there are just little things here and there I wasn't to sure about, and am figuring out quickly here in Dunedin, Florida.

I'll try and describe how things go here as well as I can, just to give you an idea of my and any Blue Jays minor leaguers average day. I'm here along with about 130 other minor league players from low A Lansing to Triple A Las Vegas trying to make the highest possible team we can.

We arrive at the complex around 7 am, get changed into workout clothes, and go eat. The breakfasts and lunches are served in the lounge, and most guys are eating or have eaten already by 7:15. Following breakfast the weight room is normally packed out with guys getting a morning workout in. They do have time, and as long as we don't have a morning meeting (scheduled around 8 am every couple days) guys can get a solid hour and a half workout in. We (double and triple A pitching staffs) normally get into our stretching at 9, then throw and get our bodies loose. We break into our team defense after throwing and work on the fundamentals, I'm getting all the bunt plays, first and thirds, pick offs and other Blue Jay basics down. This is normally followed by 10:45 batting practice, then we break for lunch around 11:45. Some guys also get their workouts in over the lunch break since we have about an hour and start our games at 1 pm.

We play at 1, if you aren't scheduled to pitch in that game (usually 3-5 pitchers pitch per game) then you stay and watch the game, chase foul balls, do charts, be the bat boy or ball boy... there's job for everyone. If the team is on the road, the pitchers who aren't in line to pitch that day stay and watch 5 innings of whichever game is played at home that day, then are free to get their workouts in, or take off.

Workouts are not mandatory, but very highly recommended here. We have 5 or 6 strength and conditioning coaches who tend to keep the guys working hard and are always around the weight room for help, new workouts and spots.

The games are not scorekeeped (scorekept?), anyways no one scores the game and it's not very important who wins, the coaches just want the guys to get their work in around this time of the year and have a good look at some guys.

There have been 2 cut days already since I've been here, today being the more significant one. We (double A) had 2 pitchers and a couple position players axed today, and triple A had even more. It's a very tense time of the year for a lot of the guys worrying about being cut. I try to just focus on the pitching, not worry about what I can't handle, and not kiss ass, because if I was a coach I would hate that.

Anyways, so far so good here. I had my first triple A outing today getting a save against the Phillies in Clearwater, and despite having bad stuff I was able to have a scoreless inning and get my outs in about 17 pitches.

For anyone interested, through 4 outings covering 5 innings this is my line.

5 innings, 0 runs, 3 hits, 4 K's, 1 BB, 0 HBP.

We are in camp until the 5th of April when everyone is assigned to a level, I'm hoping double A New Hampshire, but wouldn't mind staying in the Florida sun for high single A right here in Dunedin, but we will see, I'll just pitch my best and let what happens happen. Time to get some rest to get ready for my typical 6:15 wake up call.

Being a Blue Jay

2009-03-24T16:11:00.002-07:00

Almost through one week of spring training camp here in Dunedin, and it's everything I was expecting it would be. Fun, and work. Baseball is a game, but you need to work to be good at it. Luckily I'm one of the guys who loves this game, I am an allround fan, I love watching, playing, meeting big leaguers, everything when it comes to baseball. Over the next few days, weeks and months I'm going to get into that more, as I will have a lot more time then right now to fill you in on my thoughts, vents, ideas and anything else that comes to mind.
Be ready to read.

What a week...

2009-03-20T17:55:00.004-07:00

So I guess most of you have heard the big news... but for those who haven't, I signed with the Blue Jays. Yes, the Toronto Blue Jays. They found me at the WBC, and seemed to like how I threw, so the next day after we got eliminated by the USA I got a phone number delivered to me at breakfast on the ripped off corner of a newspaper. It was the number to one of the top scouts in the Jays organization, they liked how I threw and wanted to sign me. I promptly agreed with everything they had to say and my life changed in that moment. Now instead of heading back to Holland for year 3 of my Dutch baseball career, I'm in minor league spring training camp with the Jays here in Dunedin, Florida. Not sure what team I am to be assigned to after spring training, but just to be here is an honor, and I am planning on making the most of all this.

Shorty (my wonderful wife) is here with me for another 5 days, and then flying back to her home in Oklahoma to get the car, and meet up with me where ever I am going to be assigned.

Life's moving very fast now, and has changed drastically. I will continue to blog (more often once I am here by myself) and add some pictures here and there. I do apologize for the lack of recent blogs but, like I said I've been quite busy with getting settled in here, and the craziness of the Netherlands team making it to the second round.

Anyways, time for a new chapter to begin...

A great game, despite a sad fan display

2009-03-14T14:11:00.008-07:00

Not ours... Our fans are great.

Venezuela has a good baseball team, but some terrible fans. Compared to the Puerto Rican fans (which were polite, courteous and said nothing negative) the Venezuelan fans were an embarrassment to the country they are representing. For example, my wife tells me after the games in Puerto Rico almost every PR fan that passed the Dutch fans congratulated the dutch on how well they had played, and how good a fans they were; the exact opposite happened today. The Venezuelan fans were extremely rude, booing any dutch cheers out of the 100 dutch fans we had (compared to over 10,000 they had). These fans managed to bring politics into the game by booing their own players and manager for some reason involving their political leaders. They were a disgrace to fans, their team, their country and baseball. If they treat some of their own players with harsh boo's, just think how they treat the people in orange.

It was sad to see this all unfold, especially when they managed to squeak out a 3-1 victory from us. We played very well, doubled their hits and played a great game. I'm proud of our team and our fans for cheering right until the last out.

Tomorrow we take on the loser of USA vs. PR. 8 pm, ESPN.

Here are some pictures Shorty took at the game today.

Shorty took this one when pulling into the stadium

The whole stadium...almost

Our fans unloading off the guest bus

Bert Blyleven and myself before they announced the lineups for both teams

Both teams during pre-game lineup announcements

A small sign of respect for us, I think. They brought in K-Rod in the eigth....not the ninth.

A small view of the stadium

MMmmhhhmmmm...

2009-03-13T17:23:00.002-07:00

My folks, my wife and I are on the verge of heading downstairs here in the hotel for a team mingling gala. We experienced the same fancy buffet/open bar deal in Puerto Rico, it was very nice, especially for us players who aren't used to treatment like that.

We'll be hanging out with some of the biggest baseball players in the world this gala. Team USA, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and us with no current 25 man major league roster players. We have our first curfew of the tournament since we have to be on the bus bright and early tomorrow for our 1 pm game at Dolphin Stadium... which by the way is spectacular. I've never practiced or played on a big league field, but it is pretty damn sweet. I had a nice long look at the mound and chatted with the mound crew guy after practice. I like to consider some of the mounds I've build and given facelifts good, but this hill is absolutely beautiful.

Time to go mingle, then play another international powerhouse tomorrow.

Wish us luck!