Baseball and Pizza in Logansport

I traveled to Logansport to watch a friend coach his baseball team this evening. It was a wonderful experience just getting to sit back and relax for the evening.

Even though I am constantly watching baseball, I hate to admit that I am very slow when it comes to game strategy and psychology. In fact, I am amazed that I can even follow games half the time.

For my friend, it seems as if it comes to him naturally in how he seems to know exactly what to do in every situation. It was quite interesting to watch.

Afterward, we headed up to the press box to hang out. There was another game that was getting ready to begin so I volunteered to help out in any way that I could since they were shorthanded.

So, for the next few hours, I ran the scoreboard while he called the game over the loud speaker. He didn't exactly sound like Yankee announcer Bob Shepard but he did a good job nonetheless.

After the game ended, we headed to the best place to go after a baseball game - Pizza Hut. From there we just sat back and told stories the way most coaches like to do while stopping every few minutes to grab another slice of pizza, make a second trip up to the salad bar, or to bother the waitress (always a good time).

It felt so good to just relax and tell stories that we completely lost track of time. After we said our goodbyes to both each other and the waitress (with an apology or two to the latter), I sat in my car thinking about how great moments like those are where you can just sit back with some good company.

Then, I heard a song playing over my Ipod that I believe illustrates that point very well. So, as I close this post, thank you to my good friend for a fun evening and enjoy the music!

Hot Dogs and Coaching

What an amazing day! The weather was perfect, the events were exciting, and the hot dogs at the ballpark were warm.

It was a pretty successful day of subbing at Tipton today. I learned some very important things about how I want to run my own classroom when I get it.

I think what I learned about the most was expectations about my students. For me, it is very saddening to see someone give up on a student and to think that they cannot achieve great things.

Granted, as my friend Chad says, "Life is not a beautiful field of daisies, dancing kittens, and sunshine and rainbows." But, it is my hope to never become complacent and jaded with my work.

I am sure that there will be bad days but I really hope that I am able to keep the same level of passion and energy throughout my entire career. It is not fair to me or the students if I don't.

After my day of learning, I was very busy visiting tennis practices, going to track meets (my players kicked major butt again! Good job ladies!), and attending my good friend David's baseball game.

Even though I told him that all I needed was a Coke and a hot dog to enjoy myself, I was extremely impressed with the way he handled himself and how well prepared his players were for the game this afternoon.

In thrilling fashion, they defeated a very talented team 4-3 in one of the more memorable baseball games that I have seen in a while. I think the main reason that I enjoyed myself so much was because I have been in his position before. Seeing our players perform to the level that they are capable of makes winning and losing seem so small in the grand scheme of things.

Good job tonight buddy! I hope you continue to have that same passion for coaching and baseball. If for no other reason than giving me an excuse to come to the ballpark to watch your team along with enjoying my Coke and hot dog.

Play Ball, Finally!

Baseball season is finally here! After months and months of waiting, the boys of summer are back.

I was not able to get to class as early as I thought I would today. I was in my car listening to Bob Shepard introduce the starting lineup for my Yankees.

I am convinced that no opening day would be complete without him behind the microphone at Yankee Stadium. I think Billy Crystal had a point when he once said that he wanted Bob Shepard to announce him into heaven if he was fortunate enough to make it there.

This year, my Yankees look good enough to win a World Series Championship. Their offense is as potent as ever with last year's addition of Bobby Abreu along with a healthy Hideki Matsui.

On defense, the Yanks have greatly improved with the reacquisition of the crafty veteran Andy Pettitte as well as having Mike Mussina and a healthy Carl Pavano. Lastly, let us not forget Mr. Mariano Rivera in the bullpen as well.

This year could be the year. At least, let's hope.

Dream World

It is another lazy Sunday here in Kokomo, Indiana. Not too much going on with not too much on television except for the baseball classic Field of Dreams.

After watching the movie, I have now chosen to watch the Yankees play the Phillies in an early Spring Training contest.

There is something about watching baseball that relaxes me. It allows me just to sit back, put my thoughts aside, and escape from the realities of the world for just a few hours.

The only problem with doing this is a certain side effect that I am sure has hit others from time to time. Watching baseball, although it is a wonder for me, causes me to want to eat a bag of peanuts and a bratwurst hot dog.

Unfortunately, there are no peanuts or hot dogs to be found in the house so I guess I will just have to "hold the mustard" for the time being.

Of course, I could get up, go to the store, and purchase these things but who can really get up from the couch when the baseball game is on? Moreover, who really wants to go back to the real world when you can just sit in this dream world for a few hours?